Travel Nurse RN - PCU - Progressive Care Unit
Tacoma, WA
Wellspring Nurse Source
3x12 hrs, Days

Unit Information

This position is for a Float Pool Nurse, which entails floating within the scope of practice across various units, including Patient Care Unit (PCU), Telemetry, Medical-Surgical, and Emergency Department Holding. The nurse may also float to a nearby facility within a 2.5-mile radius as needed.

Patient Types & Common Diagnoses

The most frequent unit assignment will be in the Emergency Department Holding. While this is not considered the designated home unit, it will likely be the primary assignment during the contract period. Common patient types and diagnoses include:

• Neuro, Trauma, Surgical, Medical cases.
• Respiratory compromise, sepsis, renal failure, bleeding disorders, general medical and surgical conditions.
• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), pneumonia, orthopedic issues, and strokes.
• Cardiac Stepdown Unit cases such as post-operative CABG/TAVRs, STEMIs, and various cardiac observations.

Patient Ratios

• PCU: 1:4
• Medical-Surgical: 1:5-6

Requirements

Licenses & Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)

Required Skills

• IV Medication Titration
• Cardiac rhythm interpretation
• Bipap management
• Experience with ostomies, general drains, tracheostomy care, chest tubes, and lumbar drains
• Experience with TR Bands (preferred)
• Familiarity with EPIC EMR

Department Support

The nursing team is supported by:

• CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)
• Charge RN without patient assignment
• Hospitalist available 24/7
• Respiratory Therapists available 24/7
• Cardiac and specialty physicians on call 24/7

Technology & Equipment

• EMR: EPIC (required)
• IV Pump: Alaris
• Medication Dispensing: Pyxis

Orientation & Scheduling

• 1-day general hospital orientation
• 1-day unit orientation (12 hours) on the PCU unit
• Weekend rotation: every other weekend, with occasional back-to-back weekend shifts (rare)
• RTO (Requests Time Off): Up to 5 days approved
• Shift times: 0700-1930 or 1900-0730
• Schedule cycles are planned in 3-week increments, with notifications provided 7-10 days prior to the schedule start
• No self-scheduling or guaranteed patterned schedule

Additional Notes

• Scrub Color: Any solid color that maintains professionalism.
• Free parking is available in the parking garage.
• Hourly rounding and documentation are required, including filling out whiteboards.
• Medications must not be left at the bedside or in scrub pockets, and saline flushes are treated as medication.
• Medications must not be left in an unlocked cart.
• Two-nurse verification is required for wasting controlled substances.
• Document pain assessments before and after administering pain medications (30 minutes for IV, 1 hour for oral).
• Mandatory breaks are required during shifts.