RN - PCU

Stepdown RN

Job Title:

Stepdown RN

Profession:
Registered Nurse

Specialty: CVU

Duration: 13 weeks

Shift: 12H Nights

Hours per Shift: 12 hours

Experience:

Minimum 2 years

License:
Required

Certifications:

BLS, ACLS, NIHSS

Must-Have: 1 year of experience with cardiac and vascular patient population

Description:

The unit cares for patients who require intermediate care and downgraded ICU patients. It heavily supports thoracic procedures, electrophysiology, catheterization lab, and structural heart interventions. Common diagnoses include cardiac and vascular-related conditions such as CHF and atrial fibrillation. Registered Nurses will need to titrate drips for various medications to manage blood pressure. The nurse-to-patient ratios are typically 1:4, with a 1:3 ratio for post-surgical patients during the first 24 hours.

There is a charge nurse present during each shift, although it is rare for the charge nurse to take an assignment. Nurse aides and patient care technicians are available on the unit at a ratio of 1:18. Clientists and intensivists are in-house 24/7, with cardiology available on call after hours. Respiratory therapy is also available in the ICU around the clock.

Registered Nurses must read and interpret their own telemetry strips, as remote telemetry technicians monitor the patients. Shifts are scheduled by management, and there is no block or self-scheduling. Weekend shifts are required every other week. RTO needs to be reported upfront, and additional requests may not be approved. This position allows for floating to all same-level and lower levels of acuity as needed.

The dress code is navy blue scrubs.