ICU Registered Nurse (RN)

General Information

We are seeking experienced ICU Registered Nurses to join our team in a mixed Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This unit consists of 39 beds and serves patients across various specialties, including medical, surgical, cardiac, neuro, and trauma care.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of ICU experience, excluding travel experience (preferred).
• 1.5 years of ICU experience may be considered with significant RN experience outside of ICU, pending management approval.
• Must have previous travel experience; first-time travelers will not be accepted.
• Travelers must reside at least 100 miles away from any associated facility.
• Permanent staff must wait 1 year before returning as travelers.

Patient Types

The ICU will care for complex patients, including but not limited to:

• ARDS
• Myocardial Infarction (MI)
• Stroke (CVA/TIA)
• COVID-19
• Post-cardiac catheterization
• Post-surgical patients
• Multiple system trauma

Cardiac experience is preferred, with CABG/TAVR experience being a plus.

Patient Ratios

The nurse-to-patient ratios are as follows, depending on acuity:

• 1:1
• 1:2
• 1:3 (rare)

Required Certifications

• BLS
• ACLS
• NIHSS
• TNCC (required— applicants must be willing to obtain certification prior to arrival)

Education

Completion of an accredited nursing education program; must be a Registered Nurse (RN) licensed by the South Dakota Board of Nursing.

Skills Required

• Proficient in electronic health records (Epic experience required).
• Comfortable with a 48-hour/week contract.
• Experience with ICU patient care and treatment.
• IV medication management, including vasopressors, sedation, and paralytics.
• Familiarity with hemodynamic monitoring, ventilator management, telemetry, and strong critical thinking skills.
• Experience with Impella, IABP, and CRRT is strongly preferred.

Support on the Unit

• CNA support: 1-2 Nurse Aides per unit and mobility float aide.
• Charge nurse: 2 charge RNs overseeing all ICUs.
• Resource Nurse available, staffing permitting.
• Respiratory Therapy available 24/7.
• Physicians: 3 Intensivists on days and 2 on nights.

Charting System

The primary electronic health record system is Epic. Peripheral blood draws will be performed by the nursing staff, and midlines will be placed by ICU charge RNs.

Orientation

• Hospital orientation: 1-day (8 hours) department orientation.
• iLearns: 1-day (4 hours) orientation.
• Floor orientation: 2 shifts (12 hours each).
• One additional 12-hour independent shift for travelers requiring a total of 48 hours.

Scheduling

Schedules may include weekend rotations (attempts will be made for every other weekend, but this is not guaranteed). There is no on-call requirement, and no requests for time off during holidays will be accommodated. Requests for time off of up to 7 days may be approved, provided they align with a full 13-week contract. Special restrictions apply during the Sturgis Bike Rally in August.

Additional Notes

Travelers may have the opportunity to act as preceptors for nursing students. Uniform scrub color is navy, and free parking is available for all