Travel Nurse RN - PCU - Progressive Care Unit - $2,264 per week at Wheeling Hospital summary:
A Travel Nurse RN specializing in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU) provides critical care for patients with intermediate-level needs. This role involves managing a patient load that often includes critical procedures and requires proficiency in titrating various drips and interpreting telemetry. The position requires flexibility with scheduling and the ability to float to different units as necessary, with a focus on high standards of patient care.
Certification Details
- BLS
- ACLS
- NIHSS
Job Details
- IMU - Intermediate Care Unit (Cost Center 6010)
- 30-Beds (14 Private & 16 Semi-private)
- The goal for ratios is 1:4; however, they are usually running 1:5. Occasionally could be 1:6
- Charge nurses take a full patient assignment on both day & night shift
- Nurse Aides usually have 2-3 CNA's w/ ratios 1:10-12
- Travelers must be flexible if they need them to work holidays; however, they don't usually have to work many holidays as they are typically covered by the perm staff.
- RN's must be able to titrate drips: Amiodarone, Cardizem, Dopamine, Dobutamine, Labetolol, Nitro, & Heparin. Occasionally Lasix.
- All respiratory equipment is managed by RT (AirVo - high flow, Respironics - Bipap)
- Hospitalist in-house 24/7, Intensivist in the ICU 24/7, Also have residence in-house 24/7
- IV team in-house 24/7 & also have a PICC/Midline team
- Pharmacy is in-house 24/7 - Pyxis
- Common diagnosis / Types of patients: Chest pain, r/o MI, CHF, Arrhythmias, post pacer, pre/post Caths (manage radial bands & remove but do not pull sheaths), groin checks, any other overflow patients that required intermediate care acuity, they rarely get chest tubes. They also manage patients on Tikosyn therapy.
Job Requirements
- ACLS
- BLS
- NIHSS
- All submittals must include a unexpired copy of the candidates driver's license
Schedule Information
- 12's: Must be on the unit ready to go by 6:45 am/pm. Shifts run from 7a - 7p.
- Self-scheduling is allowed as long as the needs of the unit are met. Staff are allowed 4 requested days off per month.
- Weekend Requirement: Fri/Sat/Sun are all considered weekend shifts. Nights has to work 4 weekend night shifts/4 week schedule. Days has to work 4 weekend day shifts/4 week schedule; however, no one on this unit truly works straight days. Anyone who works straight days is required to work a minimum of 3 night shifts/4 week schedule. The 3 night shifts do not have to be on the weekend. The only shift that is considered a straight shift is nights.
Additional Details
- Charge Nurse/House Supervisor also has a Clinical Assistant who works 2, 12's (on the floor w/ a patient assignment) & 2, 8's in the office.
- Tele Monitors: Nihon Kohden
- Do nurses read strips? They have Tele Techs but RN's must be able to ready & interpret their own strips.
- Floating: All staff are required to float as needed into the rotation (Tele or MedSurg) w/ ratios up to 1:6, possibly 1:7 in MedSurg (not common) Also expected to go to Pandemic Unit
- Floor specific orientation: The 1st day is spent with HR for approximately 4 hours, then the remaining 8 hours would be on the unit w/ a preceptor, as well as the 2nd day on the unit w/ a preceptor. After this they will be on their own.
Keywords:
Travel Nurse, Progressive Care Unit, Patient Care, Critical Care, Intermediate Care, Nursing, Healthcare, Telemetry, ACLS, BLS