ICU Registered Nurse (RN)

General Information

This position is for an ICU Registered Nurse in a mixed unit that includes 39 beds across the MICU, SICU, CICU, and TICU. The role requires a minimum of 2 years of ICU experience, excluding travel assignments, with particular preference for candidates who have significant RN experience outside of ICU. Those with 1.5 years of ICU experience may be considered with additional management approval.

Travelers must live at least 100 miles away from any health facility. Permanent staff must wait one year before returning as travelers.

Patient Types

The ICU handles complex patients including surgical, medical, cardiac (preferred), neuro, and trauma cases. Common diagnoses include:

• ARDS
• Myocardial Infarction (MI)
• Cerebrovascular Accident/Transient Ischemic Attack (CVA/TIA)
• COVID-19
• Post-cardiac catheterization
• Post-surgical patients
• Multiple system trauma

Cardiac experience is preferred, especially with CABG/TAVR, but is not required. Fresh open-heart cases are not accepted unless the traveler has sufficient experience and the facility is comfortable assigning them.

Patient Ratios

Nurse-to-patient ratios vary from 1:1 to 1:3 depending on patient acuity.

Required Certifications

• BLS
• ACLS
• NIHSS
• TNCC (required) – travelers must obtain this certification prior to arrival

Required Education

Completion of a nursing education program approved by a board of nursing; Registered Nurse (RN) licensure from the appropriate state board.

Skills Required

• Experience with Epic charting system
• Ability to work a 48-hour/week contract (non-negotiable)
• Experience with critically ill patients and advanced ICU interventions
• Proficiency with IV medications, hemodynamic lines, proning, ventilator management, and telemetry
• Strong critical thinking and assessment skills, teamwork capabilities, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with Impella, IABP, and CRRT is strongly preferred

Travelers should also be prepared to discuss an experience where they exceeded a leader’s expectations.

Support on the Unit

Support personnel includes:

• 1-2 Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) per unit
• Resource Nurses (staffing dependent)
• Respiratory Therapy (available 24/7)
• Physician support including Intensivists and Advanced Practice Providers

Charting System

• Epic – required for ED & ICU
• Alaris
• Omnicell

Floating Policy

Floating is not common unless overstaffed; potential floating includes any adult floor with a usual ratio of 1:4. Comfortability with floating will be confirmed during the interview process.

Orientation

Orientation includes hospital-wide training as well as a combination of one 12-hour and one 8-hour shift in the ICU.

Scheduling

• Weekend rotation is every other week, but not guaranteed
• There is no on-call requirement
• No requested time off during major holidays
• Time off for a maximum of 7 days is allowed, with extensions needed to accommodate a full contract
• No time off will be approved during the Sturgis Bike Rally (first three weeks of August each year)

Additional Information

• Scrub Color: Navy
• Free parking available