PCU / Ortho Neuro Surgical RN
Rapid City, SD
American Traveler
4x12 hrs, Days

Assignment Overview

• Shift: Days, 4x12hrs
• Hours: 48 hrs/wk
• Start Date: Oct 25, 2026
• Length: 15 weeks
• Openings: 1

Description

American Traveler is seeking an experienced RN for a PCU/Ortho Neuro Surgical unit position requiring at least 1 year of intermediate/stepdown nursing experience and Epic charting proficiency.

Details

• Ortho Neuro Surgical (ONS) unit within a Level II Trauma Center, Magnet-designated teaching hospital
• 64-bed unit spread across 2 floors, organized in pods of 8 patients staffed with 2 RNs and 1 Nurse Aide
• Mixed acuity unit including Intermediate Care, Telemetry, and MedSurg patient types
• Surgical patient population: urology, prostatectomy, bowel obstruction, mass removal, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, general abdominal surgeries
• Orthopedic patients including total joints (knees/hips/shoulders) and ortho trauma cases
• Neuro/spine patients including CVA/TIA with neurovascular intervention, seizures, brain tumors, aneurysms, craniotomies, and spinal surgeries
• General medical patients including CHF, COPD, renal and hepatic failure, GI disorders, and infections
• Provides wound care, wound debridement, and telemetry monitoring
• RN to patient ratio of 1:4 and CNA ratio of 1:8
• 12-hour day shifts on a 6-week scheduling cycle
• Weekend rotation required, up to 4 out of 6 weekends including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with possible every-other-weekend (WOW) scheduling
• No mandatory on-call, though optional extra on-call shifts may be available
• Floating required to any adult inpatient unit including Med Surg, Ortho/Neuro/Surgical, Heart and Vascular, Oncology, and Observation, rotated among travelers
• Charting completed in Epic, with Alaris and Omnicell also used
• Support staff includes charge nurses, a flex nurse (10a-10p), resource/nurse clinician support, phlebotomy, respiratory therapy, and hospitalist coverage

Requirements

• Active RN license (South Dakota or Compact) required
• Current certifications: BLS, ACLS, and NIHSS
• Minimum 1 year of intermediate/stepdown level RN experience required
• Completion of an accredited nursing education program
• Required Epic EMR experience
• Previous experience with IMC/stepdown acuity and neuro patient populations required
• Comfortable accepting MedSurg assignments as part of the role
• Skilled in interpreting cardiac strips, chest tube management, trach care (no fresh traches), NGT placement, JP drains, line management (PICC/Midline/CVL/PIV), wound vac assessment, and dressing changes
• Experience with medication administration, TPN/tube feeding, blood product transfusions, and urinary/fecal collection devices
• Able to titrate drips such as Heparin, Insulin, Cardizem, Amiodarone, and Levophed (up to 5 mcg); training provided for esmolol or other antihypertensive drips if needed
• First-time travelers considered only if they have more than 1 year of experience

Additional Information

• Care for a diverse patient population spanning surgical, orthopedic, neuro/spine, and general medical cases
• Post neuro-intervention experience preferred, with unit-provided education and resources for those without this background
• May be expected to precept nursing students
• Two days of unit/department orientation including classroom time with the Nursing Professional Development Team
• Two orientation shifts on the unit with a preceptor
• Navy blue scrubs required
• Free parking provided
• Monthly audits conducted for pre/post pain scoring compliance, requiring 90% compliance
• Time off requests limited to 1.5 weeks and may require contract extension to accommodate a full 13-week assignment
• Holiday time off requests are not currently being accepted
• Blackout dates apply from August 1-18 due to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, during which no time off is approved
• Travelers must reside at least 100 miles from any Monument Health facility
• Previous permanent staff must wait a full year before returning as a traveler
• Facility is known for being traveler-friendly with strong renewal rates