- Medical ICU (MICU) - The 24-bed MICU is a great place to challenge yourself and grow in your nursing practice. MICU nurses care for some of the highest acuity adult patients in the hospital from a broad range of medical diagnoses. Nurses have the opportunity to gain experience using advanced equipment such as Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump, Ventricular Assist devises, and Extracorporeal Life Support. The standard nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:2 with the most critical patients being cared for on a 1:1 basis. We take pride in our culture of teamwork. The MICU plays an integral role in participating in Evidence Based Practice as a commitment to quality care that continues to set the standards for excellence at Denver Health. The nursing leadership team promotes an environment that is supportive of nursing autonomy and actively supports the personnel and professional development of its nurses. If you are seeking excitement and challenge of critical care, Denver Health Medical Intensive Care Unit is the place for you.
- Surgical ICU (SICU) is a key part of the Level I Trauma Center, safety net and tertiary care center of Denver Health. Patients come from throughout the region to be cared for in our 23-bed unit. Our patient population consists of critically ill general surgery patients and traumatically injured patients ages 15 years and older. Seventy-five percent of the patient population is trauma, which lends to a fast-paced and high-intensity workplace. Most patients are suffering from injuries due to motor vehicle accidents, scooter and bicycle injuries, ski accidents, pedestrian versus auto encounters, traumatic brain injuries, falls, injuries from violent crimes, and other serious traumatic events. The SICU’s nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:2 with the most critical patients being cared for 1:1. Nurses interested in working in this area should have the ability to learn technical skills, be motivated to understand the disease processes of the patients and be willing to work closely with the interdisciplinary team including physicians and the families of critically ill patients. All nurses on this unit receive a critical care competency based on orientation to all facets and populations of patient care. Interdisciplinary high-risk patient care is our main focus.
- Progressive Care Unit PCU is one of our highest rated units for nursing and patient satisfaction. The PCU serves patients from almost every service in the hospital, including patients on ventilators. We admit post-cardiac procedure patients and remain a true progressive care unit by taking transfers from the Intensive Care Units. We are a shared leadership model with many team members on hospital-wide committees driving change through evidence-based practice. Patients on this 15-bed unit are cared for at a 1:3 or 1:4 nurse-to-patient ratio, depending upon the needs of the patient. PCU nurses provide expert care for many specialty services such as post interventional cardiology, surgery, trauma, medicine, neurology, and neurosurgery. This unit is highly desirable for nurses seeking a well-rounded nursing knowledge base, a supportive team environment, and those looking to for opportunities to grow professionally.
- Medical/Oncology - Nurses on this unit obtain an Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy Provider credential and administer chemotherapy to inpatients. 9A is an innovative unit. Trying new things and developing new processes allow staff to work at the highest level of licensure and certification.
- Medical/Telemetry 7A is a medical/surgical telemetry unit, specializing in the care of cardiac patients. This 30-bed, fast-paced unit has a strong team culture. This is a great environment for critical thinking, problem solving and career advancement. The nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:5 and CNAs have a ratio of 1:10. For the past ten+ years, this unit has had top scores for employee satisfaction.
- Medical/Cardiology is a 19-bed medical/surgical unit that cares for the unique patient population of contracted correctional patients. CCMF is a universal specialty unit that cares for patients from Psychiatry, Cardiology, OB/Gyn, Surgery, to acute trauma, chronic disease and more. This is a unit for new graduates that want to learn, or nurses looking to get diversify their experience to advance their career. This unit provides impartial, high quality care to some of the most vulnerable and marginalized patients. Staff find the work both challenging and rewarding.
- Med/Surg/Tele 6A is a dynamic and fast-paced medical surgical unit that cares for high-acuity patients across a broad spectrum of specialties, including medicine, surgery, cardiology, neurology, infectious disease and addiction. This unit offers an excellent learning environment for new graduate nurses to develop strong clinical skills, while also providing a supportive and engaging setting for experienced nurses. Staffing includes a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:5 and a CNA-to-patient ratio of 1:10. All CNAs are cross-trained as unit clerks, promoting flexibility and seamless teamwork. Our interdisciplinary team works closely together to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care in a collaborative and respectful atmosphere. Unit 6A fosters critical thinking, effective problem solving, and provides a strong foundation for professional growth and career advancement. With a focus on mentorship, teamwork, and continuous learning, 6A is a place where nurses can thrive and build a rewarding career.
- Surgical Trauma Unit 4B is a fast-paced surgical/trauma telemetry unit specializing in trauma, bariatrics, gender confirming care, general thoracic surgeries. This surgical/trauma unit also takes care of overflow general medicine patients. Patients are considered medically challenging with most having underlying disease processes. This 30-bed, high acuity care unit requires an exceptional level of critical thinking. The nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:5 and CNAs have a patient ratio of 1:10.
- Ortho Trauma Unit specializes in orthopedic trauma and spinal cord injury patient care. Nurses in the orthopedic med/surg unit focus on each patient as an individual, working cohesively as a team to achieve the best patient outcomes. This 17-bed med/surge unit is fast-paced with a strong team-focused culture. The nurse-to-patient ration is 1:5 and CNAs have an outstanding patient ratio of 1:5. Individuals who are highly ambitious and hardworking thrive in this team-oriented environment.
- Oasis is a 14-bed inpatient unit which provides care for patients with complex discharge barriers. Oasis has a diverse, interdisciplinary team to creatively address these barriers in an innovative, holistic care environment. Quality treatment for patients with multiple medical and psychosocial needs is provided by integrating nursing care and psycho-social assessment. This team facilitates meaningful, patient activities such as music, art and wellness programs. Each patient is treated with dignity and their strengths are identified in the highly personalized care provided. The Oasis team is high-performing, and with their innovative approach, they make a positive impact on patient outcomes. This nursing team is highly engaged and consistently ranks high in annual employee engagement surveys. The 5W Oasis nursing care model consists of an RN/LPN/CNA partnership. The nurse-to-patient ratio (RN/LPN) are 1:4 – 1:5. CNA staffing ratios are 1:7.
- Med/Surg/Tele-Correctional Care Unit is a fast-paced medical/surgical unit that sees high acuity patients from a variety of services including medical, surgical, OB/GYN, cardiac, neurology, rehabilitation and observation patients. 6A is a great environment for new graduate nurses to grow and learn beneficial clinical skills, and a perfect home for the experienced nurse. The nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:5. The CNA-to-patient ratio is 1:10, and all CNAs are cross trained as unit clerks. This is a great environment for critical thinking, problem solving and career advancement.
- Labor and Delivery: The Labor and Delivery (L&D) department is one of three units, alongside the Obstetrics Emergency Department (OBED) and Obstetrics Special Care Unit (OBSCU). L&D is a 15-bed unit dedicated to caring for both low- and high-risk mothers. It supports both medicated and unmedicated birth options, with nursing staff skilled in diverse labor support techniques. The unit is also equipped with three operating rooms and five Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) bays. The unit staffing mix includes nursing, OB scrub techs, residents, Certified Nurse Midwives, Doulas and OBGYN’s.
The Obstetrics Emergency Department (OBED) is an eight-bed unit dedicated to triaging expectant mothers who are 14 weeks pregnant or later and require urgent and emergent care or observation. Staffed 24/7, the OBSR team consists of Certified Nurse Midwives and Registered Nurses who collaborate closely with OB/GYN physicians to ensure optimal patient care. Furthermore, OBED nurses extend their care to patients up to six weeks postpartum.
The Obstetrics Special Care Unit (OBSCU) is a 3-to-6 bed unit dedicated to managing high-risk antepartum and postpartum patients with obstetric-related health concerns. Patients requiring close monitoring to stabilize for discharge home, or those needing a higher level of care before transfer to Labor & Delivery, are cared for here. - Mom/Baby: The Mom/Baby Unit (MBU), a 39-bed facility within Women and Children's Health, manages the care of both postpartum mothers and their newborns. With a monthly volume of more than 300 deliveries, the unit maintains a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:6–8, supported by a CNA in the nursery. MBU nurses also serve as "admit" RNs for infants transferred to the unit. Beyond direct postpartum/newborn care, these nurses manage infants who do not require NICU care but are not yet ready for discharge and may occasionally provide care for various GYN patients.
- Pediatrics/Pediatrics ICU (PICU): Our Pediatric unit provides comprehensive care across two integrated settings: the Pediatric Ward and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The 20-bed Pediatric Ward serves as an acute care setting for children of all ages with a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:4-5. Co-located on the same floor is the PICU, an 8–10 bed specialized unit dedicated to providing highly attentive care for children with severe illnesses and injuries. Our nurses are expertly trained to manage complex conditions, including severe infections, diabetic emergencies, and all severities of respiratory diseases (such as pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and asthma), including mechanically ventilated patients. Notably, the PICU maintains a rigorous nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2. Denver Health is accredited as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): The 16-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) cares for approximately 350 newborns each year. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology in both private and semi-private rooms, the unit operates under a 1:2.5 nurse-to-patient ratio (with additional overflow capacity on the Mom/Baby unit). A dedicated interprofessional team—including social workers, pediatric pharmacists, and various therapists (respiratory, speech, OT, PT)—collaborates on unit committees focused on training and quality improvement. We emphasize family-centered care, recognizing the crucial role parents play in their baby's care and development.
- Adult Emergency Department is a fast-paced, high acuity unit providing high-quality adult emergency care. Denver Health Emergency Department is one of the nation’s leading Level I Trauma Centers, with one of the highest survival rates in the country for the most severe injuries. Our facility provides high-quality medical and trauma care where nurses will find their skill set is continually growing. Our ED consists of 57 beds, nurse-to-patient ratio is1:3-4, accommodating for critical patients. Additional support staff include emergency medical technicians (EMT), phlebotomists, EKG technicians, in-person interpreters and social workers.
- Pediatric Emergency Department s a fast-paced environment providing high quality care to pediatric patients. We are uniquely equipped to treat all levels of injuries and illnesses from earaches to major traumas. We are the only Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in the Denver Metro Area. Staffed with all levels of pediatric providers and experienced nurses, it is a great environment to grow the skills of new nurses. We are an essential link in the pediatric chain of care and work closely with both our inpatient pediatric and ICU teams and community pediatric care centers.
- Transfer Center
- Admission/Discharge Unit
- Clinical Decision Unit- Short Stay Observation Unit is the newest addition to emergency services at Denver Health. It is a clinical pathway driven short stay unit, that specializes in caring for patients who have been initially evaluated in the emergency department. Average lengths of stay are between 8-16 hours, and care is provided by a multidisciplinary team that delivers ongoing medical treatments, assessments and dispositions of patients in this area. It is a team-based environment; that allows nurses to practice autonomy while caring for complex patients. It is perfect for nurses seeking a transition between the emergent and inpatient worlds. Nursing ratios are 1:5, with healthcare techs at a 1:8 ratio on days
- Rapid Response Team
- SANE Program - Forensic Nursing
Operating Room
The Denver Health Inpatient Operating Room is an 11-room, highly specialized surgical unit that provides 24/7 surgical care to patients with complex and high-acuity needs. Serving the community of Denver, the State of Colorado, and surrounding states, the unit supports a full spectrum of surgical services through continuous staffing, which minimizes the need for call while maintaining exceptional patient care.
Staffed by a highly experienced and skilled clinical team, the Inpatient OR specializes in a wide range of surgery services, including:
• General surgery
• Trauma
• Spine and Neurosurgery
• Bariatric
• Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
• Genitourinary and Gynecology (GU/GYN)
• Plastics and Hand
• Gender affirmation surgery
• Pediatrics
• Oral maxillofacial and Dental
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedics
• Oncology
• Vascular surgery
The unit also houses a state-of-the-art Hybrid Operating Room, allowing for advanced image-guided vascular and endovascular procedures.
Additionally, the Denver Health Bariatric Surgery Center—located within the inpatient OR—is the only MBSAQIP-certified (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program) hospital in Denver serving both adolescents (ages 16–20) and adults (ages 21–65).
The nurse-to-patient ratio in the Inpatient OR is 1:1, ensuring highly personalized surgical care.
Outpatient Operating Room
The Denver Health Outpatient Operating Room features six state-of-the-art surgical suites, all equipped with 4K video integration technology to support precision and efficiency in surgical care.
Outpatient OR specializes in a wide range of day-surgery services, including:
• General surgery
• Dental- Pediatric and Adult
• Gender reassignment
• Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
• Podiatry
• GU/GYN
• Ophthalmology
• Vascular
• Pediatrics
• Oral maxillofacial
• Plastic and Hand surgery
• ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)
Like the inpatient OR, the nurse-to-patient ratio here is also 1:1.
- Adult Inpatient Psychiatry serves acute and chronically mentally ill patients by providing high quality psychiatric clinical and therapeutic care. The unit specializes in administering care to adult patients who display challenging behaviors and/or who may have comorbid medical diagnoses that cannot be accommodated by other mental health facilities in Colorado. The adult unit comprises 57 beds over a span of 3 units. The multiple units allow for the development of a diverse set of nursing and therapeutic skills including de-escalation techniques, therapeutic awareness and communication. Staffing ratios include a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:5 and behavioral health tech ration of 1:7. These ratios create safe, dignified, individualized patient care. Denver Health is supportive in the professional development and engagement of its employees and offers many opportunities for growth, mentorship, and enrichment.
- Adolescent Behavioral Health provides care for adolescents ages 12-21 admitted to the hospital for evaluation, assessment, and treatment of psychiatric issues. Adolescents are admitted out of concern for safety and to prevent any worsening of their condition. The program is designed to encourage progress in a therapeutic, educational, nurturing, and structured environment. The adolescent unit uses a multidisciplinary approach to include registered nurses and behavioral health technicians to monitor the patient’s entire stay, 24/7. The treatment team of clinicians includes psychiatrists, clinical social workers, psychologists, and occupational therapy. The adolescent unit features an in-facility school through the Colorado Department of Education. The adolescent unit comprises of 21 beds. Staffing ratios include a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:5 and behavioral health technician ratio of 1:8. These ratios create safe, dignified, individualized patient care.
- Psychiatric Emergency Services
- ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders & Severe Malnutrition at Denver Health is the only dedicated medical care unit specifically for patients with extreme forms of eating disorders and severe malnutrition who are severely underweight or who are experiencing urgent medical issues. It treats people of all genders, ages 15 and older (adolescents and adults). It is the only medical unit in the U.S. to earn a prestigious Center of Excellence designation and provides inpatient medical stabilization on a private 30-bed telemetry unit. Services include medically supervised refeeding and weight restoration addressing severe malnutrition from advanced illness or infection (organ failure, cancer, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM, aka MAI), HIV, etc.) along with robust psychiatric and behavioral health support alongside medical care, and 24/7, 1:1 patient support from Certified Nursing Assistants and Behavioral Health Technicians.
IMAP Unit (Integrated Medical and Psychiatric Care) – 5A The IMAP unit at Denver Health is a specialized 12-bed medical/surgical and psychiatric unit that provides high-quality, integrated care to adult patients with complex medical conditions and co-occurring mental health needs. This unit is uniquely designed for individuals whose behavioral health challenges, combined with acute or chronic medical diagnoses, make them difficult to place in traditional psychiatric or medical settings.
Patients on the IMAP unit may present with a wide range of medical concerns, including post-surgical recovery, cardiac abnormalities, sepsis, wound care, or other acute conditions—while also experiencing psychiatric diagnoses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression. The unit's structure allows for close medical monitoring while simultaneously addressing behavioral health needs through a multidisciplinary team approach.
With a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:4 / 1:5 and a CNA ratio of 1:6, the unit is staffed to support safe, effective, and compassionate care. The team on 5A delivers respectful, patient-centered care to individuals with complex access and care needs, and works collaboratively with internal medicine, psychiatry, and social work to ensure holistic treatment.
IMAP offers exceptional learning opportunities for nurses and certified nursing assistants seeking to grow their skills in both medical and psychiatric care. Staff gain experience in managing medically complex patients with behavioral needs, utilizing therapeutic communication, de-escalation strategies, and trauma-informed care.
Our hospital float pool offers opportunities for Registered Nurses (RNs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Medical Assistants (MAs), and Patient Safety Attendants (PSAs). Registered Nurses are able to specialize in the following tracks:
- Critical Care (ICUs)
- Acute Care
- Women & Children
- Behavioral Health
- Perioperative Services
- Ambulatory Care
Highlights
Premium Pay: Our float staff receive 15% on top of base pay + shift/weekend/holiday differentials + certification pay
Career Growth: Explore our clinical ladder and workforce development center, numerous leadership and clinical growth opportunities within the team
Team Environment: The float team has supportive leaders, mentorship, collaborative peers, and a thorough onboarding program
Work-Life Balance: Flexible scheduling
