PCU Registered Nurse - Cardiac Telemetry Step-Down
Wilmington, NC
American Traveler
3x12 hrs, Nights

Assignment Overview

• Shift: Nights, 3x12hrs
• Hours: 36 hrs/wk
• Start Date: Jul 6, 2026
• Length: 13 weeks
• Openings: 1

Description

American Traveler is seeking an experienced RN for a PCU/Telemetry position requiring a minimum of 2 years of cardiac floor experience and ACLS certification, with night shifts in a high-acuity cardiac and vascular step-down environment.

Details

• Progressive Care Unit (PCU) in a hospital setting, focused on cardiac and vascular step-down care
• Patient population includes Afib, CHF, ACS, CAD, valvular disease, endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, PVD/PAD, carotid stenosis, and venous stasis
• Specialized procedures include post-CABG, AVR, MVR, TAVR, Mitral Clip, LAAO (Watchman), VATS, carotid endarterectomy, FEM-POP bypass, amputations, and post-EP/cath/DCCV/pacemaker care
• Patient ratios vary by acuity: 1:4 for surgical step-down, 1:5–6 for lower acuity
• Night shift: 6:45 PM – 7:15 AM, 3x12-hour shifts (36 hours/week only)
• Four weekends required per 4-week period (flexible)
• Float rotation follows unit schedule; travelers are not first to float
• Equipment used includes arterial lines, Doppler, bladder scanner, EKG, femoral sheaths, TR band, Fem-stop, chest tubes, and epicardial pacing wires
• Charting and documentation via Epic (required); medications dispensed via Pyxis; SBAR communication framework used
• Contract length is 13 weeks minimum, with extensions up to 26 weeks considered
• Local candidates are accepted

Requirements

• Active NC or compact RN license required
• Current BLS, ACLS, and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certifications required
• Minimum 2 years of cardiac floor experience required
• Prior travel experience required unless the candidate has more than 24 months of cardiac experience
• Required skills: cardiac telemetry, PCU/DOU/IMC/step-down, sheath removal, dysrhythmia interpretation and management, post-MI care, pre/post cardiac cath, cardiac drip management (non-titrating and titrating), chest tube management (Emerson/Pleuravac), and non-invasive airway management (CPAP/BiPAP, nasal cannula)
• Must pass an EKG competency test prior to start
• Two professional references from a manager or supervisor within the past 2 years required prior to start (pending at time of consideration is acceptable)

Additional Information

• Preferred skills include arterial line management, wound care/wound vac, and charge nurse experience
• Orientation consists of 24 hours of unit-specific training, plus 8–10 hours of pre-start online modules (including Zoom, webinar, and in-person components) that must be completed before the assignment begins and renewed annually
• An interview with the unit manager is required for all candidates
• Navy scrubs required
• Candidates must be available for scheduling on a storm/hurricane disaster response team and may be required to report during catastrophic events or mass casualty incidents
• Candidates must work 2 out of 3 major holidays
• Up to 7 days of RTO may be approved automatically, provided it does not fall on a holiday; more than 7 days requires facility approval; no RTO is permitted during the first week of the assignment
• Any previous permanent, PRN, or contract employee of this health system must wait 12 months before being considered as a traveler; facility rehire approval is required
• Travel pairs are allowed, provided each candidate has their own transportation and is comfortable with potentially different schedules
• Candidates living within 50 miles of the facility are eligible but may be subject to a local pay rate
• First-time travelers may be considered if they have more than 24 months of cardiac experience