As a registered nurse in an acute care setting, you can expect to be on your feet, in an active, dynamic environment, delivering the highest standard of care. You’ll advocate for patients while applying advanced clinical skills and critical thinking to manage complex conditions. It’s a role that’s challenging, meaningful and deeply rewarding.
We spoke to Molly, one of our fabulous travel registered nurses working in acute care settings. Originally from New Zealand, she migrated to Australia in 2025 and has been working across regional New South Wales on short-term contract placements with Pulse ever since.
Coming from a family of nurses, caring for others has always come naturally to her, so pursuing nursing felt like the obvious path. After working across general medical/surgical and colorectal wards, she knew she wanted to travel with her job. With family already in Brisbane and Sydney, moving to experience Australia’s travel nurse opportunities was an easy decision.
Starting her acute care nursing career at Auckland’s second largest hospital, Molly crossed the Tasman and is now on contract in the Central Tablelands, NSW. With an openness to future placements across Australia, especially in WA and the NT working with Indigenous communities, we have taken a closer look at what a typical day in her acute care nursing career looks like at this moment in time.
What does a typical day look like for an acute care nurse?
As registered nurses are needed around the clock, there are morning shifts (07:00am – 15:30pm), afternoon shifts (14:30pm – 22:00pm) and night shifts (19:00pm – 07:30am). Shift times can vary between healthcare providers.
Like most acute registered nurses working in acute care settings, Molly is assigned a certain number of patients to look after throughout the duration of her shift.
Below is what a day shift typically looks like for Molly when working in a hospital setting.
07:00am – 07:30am: morning handover from the night shift RNs
Once the shift starts, Molly receives a handover from the registered nurses working throughout the night. A handover usually lasts 15 minutes and details any patients of concern, any procedures that are taking place that day and any patients who will be discharged.
The ratio of patients to nurses for the day shift is 5/6:1. During the one-to-one handover, Molly and the other nurses on the day shift meet the patients they’re due to care for. Molly confirms their personal details to avoid any mix-ups and finds out their reasons for admission.
07:30am – 07:45am: planning for the day ahead
Once the handover is completed, Molly creates a plan for the day. Scheduled medication rounds happen at 8am and 3pm, where Molly documents required medications and the times they're due to be administered for each patient. Vital observations such as blood sugars and blood pressures are taken, which are factored into the patients’ care plans for the day.
08:00am – 09:00am: medication rounds and breakfast
With the help of the assistants in nursing (AINs), the patients are assisted with getting ready for the day. This can include:
- Getting changed
- Showering
- Toileting (when required)
- Personal grooming if the patient would like
The first round of medications is given by Molly and the other registered nurses and breakfast is served. The registered nurse team on duty ensures that the patients are comfortable and ready for the doctors to visit.
09:00am – 12:00pm: doctors visit
Doctors make their way round to their patients mid-morning, checking in on their progress. Molly and the team of registered nurses follow, ensuring that any changes to their care plans for the day are noted down so the correct type of care is delivered.
After the doctor’s visit, patients are allowed to walk around, read and spend their downtime with an activity of their choosing. The registered nurses and extended healthcare team are on hand to address any issues and fulfill any patient needs.
12:00pm – 14:00pm: lunchtime
Similarly to the morning, patients get prepared for lunch. This usually includes wound care, changing of dressings and any activities of daily living that the patients need at that time.
Whilst lunch is served, Molly takes note of the patients’ progress and any concerns. These notes are made online using a shared system.
Afterwards, the patients enjoy time at leisure, with the team on hand to help with anything that they need. Patients have a bell near their bed which they can pull, alerting the team when they need assistance.
14:00pm – 15:00pm: vital observations
Another set of observations is taken before the afternoon shift registered nurses arrive. At 2:30pm, they start their shift and the system of handover repeats. Molly administers any last medications at 3pm and notes are finalised. The day shift concludes at 3:30pm.
And that’s the shift complete! The afternoon shift is usually a bit steadier than the morning, as in the second half of the day, patients are starting to unwind before bedtime.
Experienced registered nurses are assigned the night shifts as the number of registered nurses working is significantly lower than in the morning, usually at a 7/8:1 patient ratio. There is typically one doctor on call for the entire hospital, so if anyone needs a clinical review during the night, then observations can take a little longer.
Believe you have what it takes to be a registered nurse?
Ready to make a real impact in acute care? Nursing is an admirable profession, one where you make a genuine impact in the lives of patients and their families every day.
If you’re looking to grow your acute nursing career with a team that prioritises your development and progression, explore our current vacancies or get in touch with our team today.