PCU Stepdown Registered Nurse
Council Bluffs, IA
American Traveler
3x12 hrs, Nights

Assignment Overview

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

Description

American Traveler is hiring a travel RN for a Progressive Care Unit (PCU/Stepdown) position requiring at least 2 years of experience, active ACLS, BLS, and NIHSS certifications, and an Iowa or Compact RN license.

Details

• Acute care stepdown/PCU unit with 22 beds in a Level III trauma facility
• Common patient diagnoses include heart failure, Afib, respiratory distress, and stroke
• Nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:4; patient care techs on unit at a 1:10 ratio
• RNs are required to titrate drips including Cardizem, amiodarone, and nitroglycerin
• RNs must independently read and interpret telemetry strips
• CPAP equipment is used on the unit; RNs are expected to troubleshoot as needed
• Charting is performed in Epic
• 12-hour night shifts; shift times are 1830–0700
• Cyclic scheduling in place; every other weekend required
• One major and one minor holiday coverage required
• Floating to the ICU may be required for experienced nurses with appropriate background
• 13-week contract

Requirements

• Active IA state or Compact (NLC) RN license required; pending licenses not accepted
• Active certifications required: BLS, ACLS, and NIHSS; pending certifications not accepted
• Minimum 2 years of RN experience required
• Ability to independently read and interpret cardiac monitor strips
• Experience titrating IV drips required
• Driver's license required for consideration and used to verify candidate address
• 2 professional references required: one supervisor from within the last 12 months and one peer or supervisor from within the last 3 years, including dates of employment and eligibility for rehire
• Candidates must reside more than 50 miles from the facility (permanent address verified via driver's license)

Additional Information

• Fast-paced unit with high volume of admissions and discharges; successful candidates demonstrate a positive attitude, teamwork, and strong patient-centered focus
• Charge nurse is present each shift and carries a full patient assignment
• One 12-hour shift of unit-specific orientation provided
• A pass/fail open-book skills exam is administered on the Friday of orientation; a score of 90% or higher is required to pass — failure to pass will result to contract termination
• Artificial nails are prohibited in all patient care areas; refusal to remove them will result in contract termination
• Candidates may not have been directly employed (full-time, part-time, or PRN) by any CommonSpirit-affiliated facility, including CHI or Dignity Health, within the past year; candidates who worked PRN through outside staffing firms will be considered
• All requested time off (RTO) must be submitted upfront; additional RTO will not be approved after submission