PCU Registered Nurse (RN)

General Information

We are seeking a skilled and dedicated PCU Registered Nurse (RN) to join our team. The unit accommodates 36-48 beds, providing flexible semi-private room options as needed.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 1 year of nursing experience required.
• First-time travelers considered if they have more than 1 year of experience.
• First-time travelers must have experience with EPIC.
• Travelers must reside over 100 miles from any facility location.
• Permanently employed staff must wait 1 full year before returning as a traveler.

Patient Types

The unit is a mixed patient care area that includes Med/Surg through Intermediate Care (IMC), as well as Long Length stay patients. Ratios will vary depending on patient acuity:

• 90% Med/Surg; 10% Intermediate Care.
• Common diagnoses include:
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) requiring insulin drips
• Pre/post-surgical patients
• Cellulitis, Influenza, UTIs, Pneumonia
• COPD, CHF, Renal failure (with or without hemodialysis)
• Hepatic failure, gastrointestinal disorders and infections
• Soft tissue injury, minor fractures, and DVTs
• CVA overflow patients
• Care responsibilities include:
• Administering a variety of oral, IV, IM, and SQ medications
• Titratable vasoactive drips, TPN, tube feeding, and blood product transfusions
• Managing peripheral IV, midline, PICC, central line access, chest tubes, nasogastric tubes, drains, and urinary and fecal collection devices
• Providing preventative and restorative skin and wound care
• Telemetry monitoring, including reading and interpreting cardiac strips

Patient Ratios

• Long Length of Stay (MedSurg/No Tele): 1:5-6
• Med Surg/Telemetry (no IMC drips): 1:5
• Intermediate Care: 1:4

Required Certifications

• BLS
• ACLS
• NIHSS

Required Education

Completion of a nursing education program approved by a board of nursing; must possess a current Registered Nurse (RN) license in South Dakota.

Skills Required

• Comfortable taking MedSurg assignments.
• Previous experience with similar patient populations, including IMC/stepdown and neuro experience.
• Able to read and interpret cardiac strips, manage wound care, and perform line management, including drain/tube management.
• Experienced in drip titration, specifically with Heparin, Insulin, Cardizem, Amiodarone, and occasionally Esmolol or other beta blockers and antihypertensives.

Support on the Unit

• CNA support available (1:8 ratio)
• Charge nurse available who does not take patient load
• Phlebotomy and IV/VAT team available
• Respiratory Therapist available 24/7
• Hospitalist available 24/7

Charting System/Equipment

• Epic (required)
• Omnicell
• Alaris

Orientation

The orientation process includes:

• Two days of unit and department orientation covering policies and protocols.
• Classroom time with the Nursing Professional Development Team.
• Two shifts on the unit