RN - PCU

RN - PCUAbout Facility

• 637 licensed beds
• Level 1 Trauma Designation
• Teaching Hospital
• Chest Pain Center
• Stroke Center

• Beds: 24
• Census: 24
• Minimum Experience
  
  Required:
  
  2 years
• First-time travelers accepted:
  Yes

• Primary population:
  Cardiothoracic and vascular surgical patients, pre-operative and post-operative step-down progressive care
• Secondary population:
  Cardiology, pulmonology, general medical and surgical patients
• Pre- and post-LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) patients
• Patients with acute or chronic diseases
• Common co-morbidities: diabetes, hypertension, infections, CHF, electrolyte imbalances, etc.

• RN: 1:4-6
• LPN: 1:4-6
• CNA: 2-3 per shift

• BLS (Basic Life Support), BCR (Basic Cardiac Rhythm), ACLS, NIHSS – all required
• Medical-Surgical national certification preferred

• Trach care, chest tube management, PIV starts, Glucommander, insulin drips, heparin drips, drips titrated to heart rate (not blood pressure)
• Strong clinical assessment and med-surg nursing skills suitable for a Level 1 Trauma Hospital
• IV insertion and care, central line management
• Wound care and post-operative monitoring
• Cardiac monitoring and telemetry interpretation
• Care coordination with interdisciplinary teams
• Discharge planning & patient education, especially regarding renal and fluid management

• CNA:
  Assist with vital signs, glucose checks, baths, feeding, ambulating, turning patients, hourly rounding, and patient transport (hospital has designated transport team); obtain blood from blood bank
• Receptionist/HUC:
  Unit secretary on site 7am-11pm; house-wide call secretary 11pm-7am
• Charge Nurse:
  Present on each unit
• Phlebotomy:
  Most units have laboratory-collected phlebotomy; nurses draw from CVLs
• IV/VAT Team:
  No IV team; PICC team available
• Resource Nurse:
  Yes, including discharge nurses; resource team floats to all units
• Respiratory Therapist:
  Available 24/7
• Hospitalist:
  Available 24/7
• Intensivist:
  Available 24/7
• Telemetry Monitoring/Tech:
  Central Telemetry Unit

• EMR: EPIC
• IV Pump:
  Alaris
• Medication Dispensing:
  Pyxis
• Monitors:
  Phillips
• Unit-specific equipment includes:
• VS3 vital sign monitors
• Nova Glucose Stat Strips
• Cardiac telemetry monitoring
• Portable vital signs monitors (Dynamapp)
• Bladder scanners, IV pumps, portable oxygen systems
• Glucommander
• PCA pain management
• Suction machines
• Use of admission/discharge protocols for rapid turnover

Floats to all adult med-surg and telemetry units within the facility.

• 1 day orientation with educational modules
• 2 days departmental orientation

• Weekend rotation: 5-6 weekend shifts every 12 shifts (on a 6-week schedule)
• No on-call duties
• Holiday expectations: work one shift on each major holiday (Thanksgiving or day after, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, New Year's Eve or New Year's Day)
• RTO requests require manager approval
• Shift times: 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am
• Schedule cycle repeats every 6 weeks

• Scrub colors: RN
  - Navy; LPN
  - Ceil Blue
• Parking:
  Free parking available around campus or paid parking in decks
• Unit culture:
  Busy but team-oriented