Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse (PCU RN)

General Information

This position is for a Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse (PCU RN) in a facility that accommodates 36-48 beds, flexibly using semi-private rooms as needed.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 1 year of nursing experience required.
• First-time travelers are accepted with greater than 1 year of experience; must have EPIC experience.
• Travelers must reside 100 miles away from any local facility.
• Permanently placed staff must wait 1 full year to apply as travelers.

Patient Care Details

The unit features a mixed patient demographic with varying levels of acuity, including:

• 90% Med/Surg and 10% Intermediate Care.
• Common diagnoses include DKA requiring insulin drips, pre/post-surgical patients, cellulitis, influenza, UTIs, pneumonia, COPD, CHF, renal failure, hepatic failure, gastrointestinal disorders, minor fractures, DVTs, and CVA overflow.

Responsibilities involve administering oral, IV, IM, and SQ medications, as well as managing titratable vasoactive drips, TPN/tube feeding, and blood transfusions. The nurse will also manage various types of IV access and provide skin and wound care.

Patient Ratios

• Long Length 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 be a Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) in accordance with state regulations.

Skills Required

• Comfortable taking MedSurg assignments.
• Must have EPIC experience.
• Experience with patients mentioned above, including IMC/stepdown and neuro, as well as the ability to read and interpret cardiac strips.
• Skills in wound care, line management, tube management, and drip titration of medications including Heparin, Insulin, Cardizem, Amiodarone, and other antihypertensives.

Support on the Unit

• CNA available with a ratio of 1:8.
• Charge nurse does not carry a patient load.
• Phlebotomy and IV/VAT support available 24/7.
• Hospitalist on site 24/7.

Charting System and Equipment

• Epic (required)
• Omnicell
• Alaris

Floating

Nurses may float to any adult inpatient unit including Med Surg, Ortho/Neuro/Surgical, Heart and Vascular, Oncology, and Observation.

Orientation

The orientation process includes:

• Two days of unit/department orientation covering policies, protocols, and department information.
• Online learning modules followed by two clinical shifts working with a preceptor.

Scheduling

Schedules are created every six weeks with the following considerations:

• Weekend rotation: Nurses may be scheduled for up to four weekends within a six-week period.
• Mandatory holiday requests are not being accepted during peak holiday times.
• Approval for time off is available up to a week and a half with certain blackout periods.

Other Notes

• Scrub color: Navy Blue
• Free parking available.
• Opportunity to precept students may arise.
• Compliance audits for pre/post pain scoring must meet 90% accuracy.