Emergency Department Nurse

General Information

Location: Puyallup, WA

Type: Level III Trauma Center

Total Beds: 46 (including 5 Safe Psych rooms and Fast Track with 4 hallway beds and 1 room)

Average Patients per Day: 200

Experience Required: 2 years of Emergency Department experience

First-Time Traveler: Yes

Patient Types

• All age groups from pediatrics to geriatrics
• Conditions include Trauma, Gunshot Wounds (GSW), Sepsis, COVID-19, STEMI, Stroke, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), Mental Health, Respiratory Issues, Geriatric Care, Adult Psychology, and High-Acuity Medical Cases
• Predominantly high geriatric population (falls, STEMI)
• Pediatrics are generally transferred to a specialized facility
• No invasive neuro procedures (e.g., craniotomies)

Patient Ratios

• Day Shift: 1:4-5 (flexibility to adjust to a maximum of 5 based on acuity and staffing)

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Curriculum)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)
• CPI/MOAB (Crisis Prevention Institute/Management of Aggressive Behavior)

Skills Required

• General Emergency Department experience
• Cardiac rhythm interpretation
• IV skills and basic knowledge of medication administration and drips
• Procedural sedation and blood administration
• Understanding of emergency cardiac medications
• Preferred TNK (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) administration experience

Support on the Unit

• ER Technicians for tasks such as glucose checks and assisting with splinting
• Charge Nurse (rarely takes assignment)
• Resource/Float Nurse
• Respiratory Therapist available 24/7
• ED Educator for training and support
• Increased Security presence 24/7 for safety
• House Supervisor available 24/7
• Social Work Services available 24/7
• Pharmacy support available 24/7

Charting System and Equipment

• Epic (charting system)
• Alaris (IV pump system)
• Pyxis (medication dispensing system)
• Telemetry monitoring (central and bedside) available at the nursing station; no telemetry technician assigned

Orientation

• First Day: Orientation including badge issuance, Epic training if needed, meeting with the educator, hours in mental health area, and hours in front
• Second Day: 12-hour shift with a preceptor in the assigned shift
• Traveler Telemetry Competency required, to be completed and passed prior to start

Scheduling

• 48-hour contract options may be available
• Shifts Available:
  • Day: 0700-1900
  • Night: 1900-0700
  • Mid: 1100-2300 (day/mids) or 1500-0300 (mids/night)
  • Day/Mid or Night/Mid shifts may switch during contract, with prior notice
  • Night shift predominately for mid/night submissions
• Weekends will vary based on unit needs