ICU Registered Nurse (RN)

General Information

This role is part of a mixed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with 39 beds, encompassing Medical ICU, Surgical ICU, Cardiac ICU, and Trauma ICU pods. Staff will not float to the CVICU side unless they have specialized experience in that area.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years of ICU experience, excluding travel experience is preferred.
• 1.5 years of ICU experience will be considered if the candidate has substantial RN experience outside of the ICU.
• First-time travelers will not be accepted; candidates must have completed at least one prior travel assignment.
• Travelers must reside at least 100 miles away from any regional facilities.
• Permanently employed staff must wait one year before returning as a traveler.

Patient Types

Candidates will work with complex ICU patients, including those with surgical, medical, cardiac, neurological, and trauma diagnoses. Common conditions include:

• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
• Myocardial Infarction (MI)
• Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) / Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
• COVID-19
• Status post cardiac catheterization
• Post-surgical care
• Multiple system trauma

Cardiac experience is preferred but not required; fresh open heart patients will be handled by permanent staff only.

Patient Ratios

Patient-to-nurse ratios will vary with acuity, typically 1:1 to 1:3 (1:2 is more common).

Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)
• TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) – required before arrival

Education Requirements

Candidates must have completed a nursing education program that is recognized by a state board of nursing and be a licensed Registered Nurse (RN).

Skills Required

• Familiarity with the Epic charting system
• Comfortable working a 48-hour work week
• Experience with IV medications, including vasopressors, sedation, and paralytics
• Ability to manage hemodynamic lines, proning techniques, and ventilator support
• Strong critical thinking and assessment skills
• Team collaboration in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with Impella, IABP, and CRRT is preferred

Candidates should be prepared to share a specific instance where they exceeded a leader’s expectations during the interview process.

Unit Support

• 1-2 Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) per unit + mobility float aide
• Resource Nurse available, based on staffing needs
• Respiratory Therapists available 24/7
• Team of Intensivists and Advanced Practice Providers available for patient care

Orientation

New hires will undergo the following orientation process:

• 8-hour hospital orientation
• 4-hour departmental orientation to complete iLearn modules
• Two 12-hour shifts of floor-specific orientation
• One additional independent 12-hour shift for travelers to meet required hours

Scheduling and Availability

Weekend rotation typically aims for every other weekend, though this is not guaranteed. There will be no time off requested during the holiday period or during specific events such as the Sturgis Bike Rally.

Additional Information

• Opportunity to precept nursing students
• Scrub color is navy
• Free parking is available for staff

Location: City, State