Medical Surgical Services Nursing Division
Medical Surgical Services Nursing Division
Experience the benefits of the Iowa Difference
UI Health Care was the first hospital in Iowa to be designated a Magnet Hospital (2004) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the first hospital in Iowa to be re-designated four times (2008, 2013 2018, and 2023).
Our medical-surgical services represent the largest number of nursing opportunities, with more than 260 of our 811 beds assigned to medical-surgical care settings. In a recent year, our total acute admissions were just more than 36,000 with more than 230,633 acute patient days of care.
What does this all mean to you? Medical-Surgical Services nursing jobs at UI Health Care come with competitive salaries and outstanding benefits. If comprehensive insurance coverage, tuition reimbursement, generous paid vacation/sick/holiday accruals, and an outstanding professional recognition program sound good to you, come join the team!
We care for the people who care for our patients. For more information about MSS and to hear staff testimonials click here.
- Adult Acute Care Unit
- Adult Acute Internal Medicine Unit
- Medicine Specialty Unit
- Medical Surgical Oncology Unit
- Surgical & Trauma Care Unit
- Short Stay Unit
- Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapies Unit
Inpatient
Adult Acute Care Unit - John Colloton Pavilion (2 JCP)
The Adult Acute Care Unit is part of UI Health Care's Medical Surgical Services (MSS) division. The Adult Acute Care Unit is a 30-bed, medical surgical unit with a focus on specialized surgical patients. The surgical patients include otolaryngology (ENT), oral surgery, plastic reconstructive surgery, ophthalmology, bariatric surgery, colorectal surgery, and transplant surgery. We provide our patients with all private rooms, which allows for a more comfortable experience for both patients and their families. We have a highly skilled multi-disciplinary team that helps to provide excellent patient care to all patients on our unit. Our goal is to provide each patient an individualized care plan and provide them the support and care they need and deserve.
On 2 JCP we provide care for patients with these conditions:
- Tracheotomies
- Total laryngectomies
- Post-cancer, trauma, and reconstructional free flaps
- Thyroidectomies
- Vestibular Schwannomas
- Mandible fractures
- Breast reconstruction
- Eye plaques
- Kidney, Liver, and Pancreas Transplants
- Gastric Bypass and gastrostomies
- Surgical management for colorectal cancer
- Colostomy and Ileostomy
Adult Acute Internal Medicine Units - General Hospital (4 South and 5 South)
The Adult Acute Internal Medicine Units are both 13-bed general medicine inpatient units that serves a variety of patients. The unit is designed to provide high quality, personalized care for patients. We are pleased that we are able to provide our patients with private rooms, granting them the quite atmosphere to rest and heal.
We treat diseases and disorders from the following body systems, including but not limited to:
- Circulatory
- Dermatology
- Endocrine
- Immune
- Gastrointestinal
- Neurological
- Pulmonary
- Renal
We use a multidisciplinary approach to patient care that is patient centered and encourages teamwork between nursing staff, physicians, therapy teams, social work, care coordination, and pharmacists.
Medicine Specialty Unit - Roy J. Carver Pavilion (6 RCP)
The Medicine Specialty Unit provides care for adult patients with a wide range of medical conditions, offering nursing staff the opportunity to develop a diverse clinical skill set while making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families. Our patient population includes individuals with pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, cardiovascular, neurological, infectious, dermatological, and autoimmune conditions.
As a busy, fast-paced medic unit, our environment offers opportunities for continuous learning, critical thinking, and professional growth. The variety and complexity of our patients’ needs allow staff to strengthen their clinical knowledge, develop confidence in their skills, and gain experience caring for patients with multiple medical conditions.
Teamwork is at the heart of our unit. Our nursing staff work closely with physicians, advanced practice providers, physical therapists, rehabilitation therapists, care coordinators, and other healthcare professionals to deliver safe, quality, patient-centered care. We recognize that providing excellent care requires collaboration, open communication, and a willingness to support one another.
We take pride in fostering a work environment where staff feel supported, valued, and encouraged to grow. Whether beginning a nursing career or bringing years of experience to the team, our goal is to create an environment where individuals can continue learning, contribute their strengths, and work together to provide the best possible care for our patients.
Medical-Surgical Oncology Unit - John Pappajohn Pavilion (4 JPP)
- 44-bed adult medical-surgical oncology unit
- Medical patients requiring acute oncology care including chemotherapy administration, symptom management, and complex care and monitoring
- Surgical patients receiving post-op care for laparoscopic and complex oncology related surgeries including:
- Thyroidectomies
- Gastrectomies
- Adrenalectomies
- Splenectomies
- Liver resections
- Bowel resections
- Melanoma excisions
- Pancreaticoduodenectomies (Whipple procedure)
- Part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
- A top ranked hospital for cancer care according to U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals Rankings
- First hospital in Iowa to be named a Magnet Hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and four-time re-designation
Why Join the Team?
- The 4 JPP unit vision is to provide expertise in quality patient/family-centered care for every patient, every time.
- 4 JPP offers an energizing and healthy work environment that allows staff to thrive and grow both personally and professionally by offering oncology based orientation, annual oncology enrichment classes, and monthly educational inservices.
- Specialty training in chemotherapy administration and oncology care
- Dynamic, fast-paced environment that safely pushes your nursing skill set to the next level
- Collaborative, multidisciplinary work environment dedicated to safe, quality patient care as demonstrated by daily nurse lead rounds
- Work with some of the world’s experts in both medical and surgical oncology.
- A unit committed to the UI Department of Nursing shared governance model to promote staff nurse leadership and autonomy as well as a generous professional recognition program
- Nurse Residency and Preceptor Programs for new and experienced RNs
- Opportunities to precept nursing students through our Dedicated Education Unit program
- Pioneer unit for compassionate, connected patient care
- Aid in administration of clinical trials to enhance cancer care. At any time, Holden offers more than 300 active clinical trials.
*Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is an NCI-designated Cancer Center, the only one in Iowa
Surgical & Trauma Care Unit – Roy J. Carver Pavilion (3RC)
The Surgical & Trauma Care Unit believes it is our responsibility to provide patient-centered care that enables patients and their families to cope with the physiological and psychological aspects of their illness or injury. Exceptional care on our unit combines excellent clinical skills with compassionate care to achieve the highest possible quality of life for our patients.
The pulse of our nursing team is teamwork- fostering holistic, patient-centered care within a healthy work environment where staff thrive both personally and professionally. We are committed to providing the resources necessary for staff to excel and achieve their goals.
Our Patient Population
Unit staff provide comprehensive care for patients who experience:
Trauma & Emergency Surgical Conditions:
- Traumatic injuries sustained from events such as motor vehicle accidents and falls
- Multi-system traumatic injuries
- Acute abdominal emergencies (bowel obstruction, perforation, infection)
- Complex wound management and surgical drains
- Ostomy creation and management
- Fistula treatment
- Hernia repair
Urologic Surgery
- Post-operative urological procedures
- Urologic oncology and reconstructive surgeries
- Complex catheter and urinary diversion management
Orthopedic Surgery
- Reconstructive joint surgery (hip, knee, shoulder)
- Spine surgery
Short Stay Unit - John Colloton Pavilion (LL JCP)
This unit features 30 private patient rooms and is designed to care for patients admitted to UIHC under observation or recovery level of care, with a focus on timely treatment.
The diverse patient population cared for on this unit will include both medical and surgical patient populations who are typically admitted to the hospital for an estimated 24-48 hour stay. Patient diagnoses frequently treated as medical observation include but are not limited to chest pain, abdominal pain, back pain, and syncope. Surgical recovery patients include a variety of procedures under the care of the following services: urology, plastics ophthalmology and cardiology, among many others.
Our team works collaboratively to provide high-quality, compassionate care while ensuring patients receive the support, education, and resources they need for a safe transition home following their hospital stay.
Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapies Unit - John Colloton Pavilion (3 JCP)
This state-of-the-art 24-bed unit within the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is home to Iowa's only Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. Our team provides highly specialized care for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other hematologic disorders through stem cell transplantation, CAR T-cell therapy, and other cellular therapies.
As a partner in cutting-edge research, we participate in numerous cellular therapy and oncology clinical trials, providing opportunities to work with patients receiving the latest innovative treatments. Our interdisciplinary team combines advanced clinical expertise
with compassionate, patient- and family-centered care to support patients through every stage of their cancer journey.
This program has been accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) since 2001 and was recognized with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Silver Beacon Award for Excellence in 2016, reflecting our strong commitment to multidisciplinary teamwork and high-quality patient care. Our dedication to exceptional patient experiences is further demonstrated through multiple patient experience awards and top-tier achievements in teamwork, nurse communication, and likelihood to recommend.
Whether you are beginning your healthcare career or bringing years of experience to our team, you'll find exceptional opportunities for professional growth, continuous learning, and meaningful work that makes a difference in the lives of patients and families facing cancer. Join us as we help shape the future of cancer care.