ICU Registered Nurse (RN)

General Information

This position is for a mixed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with 39 beds, including Medical ICU (MICU), Surgical ICU (SICU), Cardiac ICU (CICU), and Trauma ICU (TICU). Travelers will not float into the CVICU side unless they have experience in that specialty.

Experience Requirements

• Preferred: Minimum of 2 years of ICU experience (excluding travel experience).
• Acceptable: Minimum of 1.5 years of ICU experience (excluding travel), combined with significant RN experience outside of ICU (requires management approval).
• First-time travelers are not accepted. A minimum of one prior travel assignment is required.
• Travelers must reside at least 100 miles away from any healthcare facility in the region.
• Permanently employed staff must wait one year before returning as travelers.

Patient Types

The unit handles complex ICU patients, including but not limited to:

• Surgical
• Medical
• Cardiac (preferred)
• Neuro
• Trauma

Common diagnoses include ARDS, MI, CVA/TIA, COVID, post-cardiac catheterization, post-surgical, and multiple system trauma, with a heavy trauma population.

Patient Ratios

RN patient ratios are typically:

• 1:1
• 1:2
• 1:3 (rare, based on acuity)

Required Certifications

• BLS
• ACLS
• NIHSS
• TNCC (this certification is required prior to arrival)

Education

Completion of a nursing education program approved by a board of nursing is required for Registered Nurses (RNs).

Skill Set

The following skills are essential for this position:

• Experience with Epic charting system
• Comfortable working a 48-hour work week
• Experience managing critically ill patients, including the use of IV medications (vasopressors, sedation, paralytics)
• Experience with hemodynamic lines, proning, ventilator management, and telemetry
• Strong critical thinking and assessment skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Experience with Impella, IABP, and CRRT is strongly preferred

Support on the Unit

• CNA support: 1-2 Nurse Aides per unit plus mobility float aide
• Charge Nurse: 2 Clinical Registered Nurses oversee all ICUs
• Phlebotomy services: Peripheral blood draws only
• IV/VAT Team: ICU CRNs place all midlines
• Resource Nurse: Available based on staffing needs
• Respiratory Therapy: Available 24/7
• Physician support: 3 intensivists on days, 2 on nights, plus Advanced Practice Providers on nights

Orientation

Orientation consists of the following:

• 1 day of hospital orientation
• (1) 8-hour department orientation and completion of iLearns
• (1) 4-hour session to complete iLearns
• (2) 12-hour shifts of floor orientation
• (1) additional independent 12-hour shift for travelers to meet baseline hour requirements

Scheduling

Scheduling includes:

• Weekend rotation typically every other weekend, not guaranteed
• No requests for time off (RTO) during holidays
• Up to 7 days off may be approved, extending to accommodate a full 13-week contract