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

Registered Nurse - PCU (North Carolina, Wilmington)

Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each; 18:45 - 7:15)
Hours per Week: 36

Job Overview

• Work on a cardiac floor with a focus on progressive care unit (PCU), stepdown, telemetry, and intermediate care.
• Patient diagnoses include atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure (CHF), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), coronary artery disease (CAD), valvular heart diseases, endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, peripheral vascular disease, and post-cardiac procedures.
• Special procedures involve care for patients post-CABG, valve replacements/repairs, TAVR, mitral clip, LAAO (Watchman), electrophysiology procedures, pacemaker placements, and various vascular and thoracic surgeries.
• Use of specialized equipment such as arterial lines, Doppler, bladder scanner, EKG, femoral sheaths, chest tubes, and epicardial pacing wires.
• Unit systems include Pyxis (medication dispensing), EPIC (documentation), and SBAR (communication).
• Nurse-to-patient ratios vary by acuity: 1:4 for surgical stepdown, 1:5-6 for lower acuity patients.
• Float requirement: follows unit rotation; not first to float.
• Weekend requirement: approximately 4 weekends per 4 weeks (flexible).
• Contract staff may be required to participate in disaster response teams (storm/hurricane/mass casualty).

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in North Carolina.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a Progressive Care Unit (PCU), with at least some experience within the last year.
• Completion of at least one travel nursing assignment.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Current certifications:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with arterial line management.
• Wound care and wound vac experience.
• Charge nurse experience.

Orientation & Onboarding

• Unit orientation: 24 hours.
• Must complete required background checks and verifications including:

  • Local, county, federal, and national criminal background checks.
  • Education verification for highest degree earned.
  • Drug screening within 30 days of start.
  • Physical exam within 1 year (or 30 days if past positive TB).
  • Fit testing for N95 mask or completion of PAPR training if fit test failed.
  • Immunizations and titers: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (or facility-specific declination), TB screening, Flu vaccination or approved exemption.
• Must complete facility-specific education modules and compliance training prior to start.
• Must complete medication safety training and submit certificate of completion.
• Must complete Non-Novant Health Worker Orientation checklist (approx. 8-10 hours for acute care).
• Must complete annual compliance and facility-specific mandatory education if applicable.
• Must sign confidentiality agreement, hospital policies, and other required facility documents.
• Photo for badge required immediately after signing contract (passport style, white background, business attire).
• Must complete password registration and login to facility’s I-Learn system within 24 hours of receiving credentials.

Additional Information

• Scrubs color: Navy.
• No Return to Office (RTO) after booking allowed; call-offs or additional RTO may result in cancellation.
• Interview required prior to offer.
• References: 2 professional references within 3 years required for travel and acute care positions.
• Performance evaluation required if worked with the agency over 1 year.
• Must comply with all facility and state-specific credentialing and compliance requirements.

This position is ideal for experienced cardiac RNs with telemetry and stepdown care skills seeking a night shift travel assignment in North Carolina.