PCU Registered Nurse
Wilmington, NC
PRIDE Health
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (PCU) - Travel/Contract

Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a Registered Nurse with a specialty in cardiac care for a travel/contract position on a Progressive Care Unit (PCU). This is a night shift role (36 hours per week) with patient ratios varying by acuity (1:4 for surgical step down, 1:5-6 for lower acuity). The nurse will be expected to participate in unit rotations and work approximately 4 weekends per 4 weeks (flexible).

Required Qualifications

• Experience:

  • Minimum 2 years of experience on a cardiac floor required.
  • Prior travel experience is required unless the candidate has more than 24 months of cardiac experience.

• Skills:

  • Cardiac Telemetry, PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown care
  • Sheath removal and management
  • Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
  • Post MI care, pre/post cardiac catheterization
  • Management and titration of cardiac drips
  • Chest tubes (Emerson/Pleuravac)
  • Non-invasive airway management including External CPAP/BIPAP, Nasal Cannula

• Certifications:

  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
  • Must pass EKG competency testing prior to start

• Additional Requirements:

  • Must be able to work nights only (36 hours/week)
  • Must be willing to participate in Storm Team and/or Hurricane Team assignments during catastrophic events or disasters
  • Unit orientation: 24 hours
  • Scrubs color: Navy

Preferred Qualifications

• Arterial line management
• Wound care/Wound Vac experience
• Charge nurse experience

Patient Diagnoses and Procedures

• Common diagnoses: Atrial Fibrillation, CHF, ACS, CAD, valvular diseases, endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, PVD/PAD, vasculitis, carotid stenosis, venous stasis
• Procedures: CABG, AVR, MVR, TAVR, Mitral Clip, LAAO (Watchman), VATS, carotid endarterectomy, vascular surgeries, cardiac and thoracic surgeries, pacemaker placements, electrophysiology procedures

Equipment and Systems

• Equipment: Arterial lines (optional), Doppler, Bladder scanner, EKG, femoral sheaths, TR band, Fem-stop, chest tubes, epicardial pacing wires
• Unit systems: Pyxis medication system, EPIC electronic health record, SBAR communication tool

Compliance and Onboarding Requirements

• Background checks including criminal, education verification, and state-specific registry searches within 90 days of start
• Physical exam within 1 year of start (or within 30 days if past positive TB)
• Fit mask testing (N95 or PAPR training) within 1 year of start
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray as required
• Drug screening within 30 days of start (10-panel, negative result required)
• Immunizations and titers: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (or facility-specific declination)
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season
• Completion of facility-specific orientation modules and competency exams, including medication and dysrhythmia/EKG competency exams
• Must complete Non-Novant Health Worker Orientation (approx. 8 hours) prior to start
• Required to sign confidentiality, hospital policies, and other facility-specific agreements

Additional Notes

• Candidates must provide a passport-style photo for badge creation prior to start
• Candidates will be interviewed prior to offer
• Candidates must be prepared to work in a fast-paced cardiac step-down environment with variable acuity
• Participation in disaster response teams is mandatory during contract

This position is ideal for experienced cardiac nurses comfortable with telemetry and progressive care, who are flexible with night shifts and disaster response duties.