RN - PCU

Registered Nurse in Stepdown Care Unit

This position is for a Registered Nurse in a Stepdown Care Unit. The unit consists of 20 beds, with a mix of private and semi-private rooms. Nurse-to-patient ratios are 3 to 1. Common patient conditions include COPD, CHF, diabetes, sepsis, renal issues, DKA, alcohol withdrawal, overdoses, pneumonia, and various neuro/surgical/cardiac cases. The nurse may care for patients on Bipap, Cpap, and face masks.

Experience with tracheostomy, ventilated patients, chest tubes, G-tubes, NG tubes, PICC lines, and central lines is required. Nurses will titrate drips such as Cardene, Cardizem, Amiodarone, Dobutamine, Heparin, and low-dose or infrequent Vasopressors. A charge nurse is present on each shift, though they may take on patient assignments if staffing requires it. Patient care technicians are available on each shift, taking care of approximately 10 patients if the unit is full.

All patients are monitored with Phillips bedside monitors, with tele techs available to interpret strips, which RNs will confirm. The schedule consists of 12-hour shifts from 7 AM to 7 PM. Nurses are expected to work every other weekend and holiday. Floating may occur, with travel RNs being the first to float based on experience. The dress code allows for scrubs of any color.

There is a dedicated orientation process for the unit, including training on the charting system.