PCU Registered Nurse (RN)

General Information

This position is for a mixed acuity unit with 44 beds, requiring a minimum of 1.5 years of general nursing experience, including 1 year in a Progressive Care Unit (PCU). First-time travelers with at least 2 years of experience are welcome to apply. Candidates must reside at least 100 miles away from any facility.

Patient Types

• Intermediate Care acuity
• Telemetry and Medical-Surgical patients
• Direct admits, ED admits, Post Cath Lab patients, etc.
• Conditions include MI, NSTEMI, STEMI (IABP would go to ICU), CHF, Dysrhythmia management, and Pacemaker malfunction
• Backup for Stroke unit and Medical Overflow
• Experience with post-cardiac/vascular, post-cardiac cath, post open-heart surgery, post-TAVR, post-EP studies, and post-pacemaker insertion patients

Patient Ratios

The typical RN to patient ratio is 1:4, which may adjust to 1:3 based on patient acuity.

Required Certifications

• BLS
• ACLS
• NIHSS

Required Education

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

Skills Required

• PCU level RN experience
• Competence in cardiac procedural recovery (CABG, TAVR, post-cardiac cath)
• Knowledge of MI pharmacology and titratable cardiac/vasoactive drips (Cardizem, Amiodarone, Nitro, Levo, Dopamine)
• Heparin drips management
• Cardiac rhythm interpretation and chest tube management
• Administration of TNK (preferred)

Support on the Unit

• CNA support with a ratio of 1:5-8 depending on the shift
• Charge nurse (unassigned)
• Phlebotomy services available for peripheral blood draws
• Respiratory Therapy staff available 24/7
• Hospitalist on-site 24/7, not specifically dedicated to the unit

Charting System/Equipment

• Epic (please indicate if traveler does not have Epic experience)
• Alaris
• Omnicell

Floating Policy

Travelers may be floated primarily to the sister unit, General PCU, or to Medical-Surgical/Telemetry units and ICU, while ensuring care remains within the scope of practice.

Orientation

The orientation consists of:

• 2 partial days of education
• 3 shifts on the unit for hands-on experience

Scheduling

• Weekend rotation: every other weekend
• Holiday expectations: every other holiday
• Approval for time off: up to 7 days, with longer requests requiring an extension. There is a restriction on time off during the first 3 weeks of August annually.

Uniform and Parking

Scrub color is navy blue. Free parking is provided.