Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit

First Connect Health is seeking a travel nurse RN ICU - Intensive Care Unit for a travel nursing job in Merced, California.

• Specialty:
  ICU - Intensive Care Unit
• Discipline:
  RN
• Start Date:
  
  01/19/2026
• Duration:
  13 weeks
• 36 hours per week
• Shift:
  12 hours, days
• Employment Type:
  
  Travel

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced ICU Registered Nurse to join a 20-bed Intensive Care Unit at a Trauma Level II facility. The ideal candidate will be clinically strong, flexible with floating, and prepared to accept an offer if extended. This role requires comfort caring for high-acuity patients and the ability to float to other units as needed.

Shift: 12-hour Day or Night shifts (7:00 AM / 7:00 PM)

Trauma Level: II
Guaranteed Hours: 36 hours/week

Required Experience

• Minimum 2 years of ICU experience
• Strong critical care assessment and clinical decision-making skills
• Comfortable floating to Med-Surg, Telemetry, and caring for boarded ICU patients in the ED
• Ability to manage 4–5 patients when floated

Certifications & Licensure

• BLS
• ACLS
• NIHSS
• CCRN preferred
• Basic Critical Care Course preferred

Unit Details

• Beds: 20
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:1 – 1:2
• Charting System: Cerner
• Telemetry: GE (nurses must read and interpret their own strips)
• Scrub Color: Navy
• Charge Nurse: Each shift (no patient assignment; serves as unit resource)
• Nurse Aides: None

Clinical Support

• Respiratory Therapy: In-house 24/7 (manages ventilators)
• Pharmacy: 24/7
• IV Team: No – strong IV skills required
• Hospitalist Coverage: Internal Medicine 24/7
• Intensivist Coverage: Pulmonologists act as intensivists (not in-house 24/7)

Common Diagnoses & Skills

• Sepsis
• DKA and hyperglycemia management
• COPD
• GI Bleeds
• Post-operative ICU recovery
• PCI cardiac services (not a STEMI center)
• CVA (no dedicated Neuro ICU)
• Sedation and vasoactive drips: Versed, Propofol, Norepinephrine
• Comfortable with ABCDE bundle and ventilated patients

Floating & Orientation

• Floating: Required (ICU floats to Med-Surg and Tele; travelers are first to float)
• Orientation:
  • 2 shifts in ICU
  • 1 shift on a general floor

Job

At First Connect Health, we take pride in being a Joint Commission–certified healthcare staffing agency, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. This prestigious certification is more than just a seal — it's a reflection of our commitment to excellence, safety, and quality in everything we do.

By meeting the rigorous standards set by The Joint Commission, one of the most respected accrediting bodies in healthcare, we've demonstrated that our processes, compliance, and patient care standards are aligned with the highest levels of quality in the industry.

But our dedication goes beyond certifications. Nurses choose First Connect Health because:

• ✅ Trust and Transparency: We foster honest communication, timely updates, and full transparency throughout your placement journey.
• ✅ Best Pay & Benefits: We offer industry-leading compensation packages, along with benefits that support your career goals.
• ✅ Flexibility & Choice: Whether you're seeking short-term assignments, long-term contracts, or local opportunities, we provide the flexibility to suit your preferences.
• ✅ Personalized Support: Our recruiters take the time to understand your needs, guiding you with care, respect, and responsiveness at every step.

When you work with First Connect Health, you're not just another number — you're a valued professional. Join a team that’s focused on your success, your well-being, and your future in healthcare.

• Medical benefits
• Sick pay
• 401k retirement plan
• Weekly pay
• Referral bonus