PCU RN - Cardiac Stepdown
Albany, GA
American Traveler
3x12 hrs, Days

Assignment Overview

• Shift: Days, 3x12hrs
• Hours: 36 hrs/wk
• Start Date: Jun 22, 2026
• Length: 17 weeks
• Openings: 1

Description

American Traveler is seeking an experienced RN for a cardiac stepdown Progressive Care Unit (PCU) position requiring at least 2 years of stepdown experience in an acute care setting and a GA or compact RN license.

Details

• Acute care hospital setting in Albany, GA (population ~80,000), located approximately 175 miles from Atlanta
• Cardiac stepdown unit (4A/4B): 4A focuses on cardiothoracic and cardiovascular surgery patients; 4B focuses on smaller procedures, drips, and CHF patients
• 44-bed unit including 8 semi-private rooms; average census of 32–38 patients
• Nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:5 with nurse aide support at a 1:10 ratio
• Common diagnoses and procedures include post-op CABG, fem-pop bypass, arteriograms, CEA, thoracotomy, VATS, EVAR, AAA repair, stents, pacemakers, ablations, AICD, CHF, A-fib with RVR, and chest tubes
• Telemetry monitoring via Philips equipment; nurses are required to read and interpret strips
• Vasoactive and cardiac drips administered include Cardizem (titrated), amiodarone, dobutamine, dopamine (renal dose), Lasix, Bumex, heparin, Primacor, and Vasopressin
• Ventilatory support includes BiPAP, CPAP, Vapotherm, and high-flow oxygen (no full vents)
• Charting via MEDITECH EMR
• 12-hour day shifts, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (shift start 6:45 AM)
• Every other weekend required
• Floating to the ICU is possible; travelers without ICU experience will be assigned stepdown-level patients only or may be asked to assist with tasks in the ICU
• PICC team, 24/7 RT, and 24/7 pharmacy support available on unit
• Hospitalist or intensivist in-house 24/7
• 17-week contract

Requirements

• Active GA RN license or a compact RN license currently in hand
• Current certifications required: BLS (AHA), ACLS, and NIHSS
• Minimum 2 years of stepdown experience in an acute care setting — no exceptions
• Experience reading and interpreting cardiac telemetry strips required
• Experience managing vasoactive and cardiac drips required
• A copy of your driver's license is required for consideration
• Candidates must reside more than 75 miles from the facility (as verified by the address on their driver's license) to be eligible for this position

Additional Information

• Provides direct nursing care to post-surgical and cardiac stepdown patients with a high volume of admissions and discharges — up to 12–16 patients admitted or discharged in a single busy shift
• Ability to pull pacer wires is preferred; orientation to the skill will be provided if needed
• Unit orientation consists of 3 shifts
• Holiday flexibility is required; nurses must be available to work holidays and surrounding days as needed
• Time off requests are honored only if submitted and confirmed at the start of the assignment
• Dress code: Caribbean Blue scrubs required; natural hair color only, no fake or shellac nails, no facial piercings, and no visible tattoos
• Candidates who have been employed by the facility within the last 12 months are not eligible for placement
• Strong attendance is expected; a formal complaint is issued after 2 call-outs and termination follows the 4th call-out; a formal complaint is issued after 3 instances of tardiness and termination follows the 5th