Progressive Care Unit RN (MedSurg/Telemetry/Stepdown)
Rapid City, SD
Olaro
3x12 hrs, Days

Job Opportunity: PCU RN - Rapid City, South Dakota

Location

• City: Rapid City, South Dakota
• Facility: Hospital with 36-48 beds (flexible semi-private rooms)

Contract Length

• 13 weeks

Unit and Patient Population

• Mixed unit: Medical/Surgical to Intermediate Care (IMC) level, including long length of stay patients
• Patient mix: Approximately 90% MedSurg, 10% Intermediate Care
• Common diagnoses: DKA with insulin drips, pre/post-surgical care, cellulitis, influenza, UTIs, pneumonia, COPD, CHF, renal failure (with/without hemodialysis), hepatic failure, GI disorders/infections, soft tissue injuries, minor fractures, DVTs, CVA overflow
• Care includes oral, IV, IM, SQ medications, titratable vasoactive drips, TPN/tube feeding, blood transfusions
• Management of peripheral IVs, midlines, PICCs, central lines, chest tubes, NG tubes, drains, urinary/fecal devices
• Preventative and restorative skin and wound care
• Telemetry monitoring with nurse interpretation

Patient Ratios

• Long length of stay (MedSurg, no telemetry): 1:5-6 (1 pod with 10-12 patients)
• Med Surg/Telemetry (no IMC drips): 1:5 (2 pods with 10-12 patients each)
• Intermediate Care: 1:4 (1 pod with 8 patients; mix of Med/Tele or IMC)

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 1 year nursing experience as PCU RN
• EPIC electronic health record experience required
• Comfortable with MedSurg assignments
• Experience with IMC/stepdown and neuro patients; ability to read/interpret cardiac strips
• Skills in wound care, line and drain/tube management
• Comfortable titrating drips including Heparin, Insulin, Cardizem, Amiodarone, Levophed (up to 5 mcg), occasionally esmolol or other beta blockers/antihypertensives

Certifications & Education

• BLS, ACLS, NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) required
• Completion of an approved nursing education program
• Registered Nurse (RN) license valid in South Dakota

Unit Support

• CNA support with 1:8 ratio
• Charge nurse (non-patient load)
• Phlebotomy available
• Respiratory Therapist (RT) available
• Hospitalist coverage
• No IV/VAT team or resource nurse

Charting System & Equipment

• EPIC required
• Omnicell medication dispensing system
• Alaris infusion pumps

Floating

• May float to any adult inpatient unit including Med Surg, Ortho/Neuro/Surgical, Heart and Vascular, Oncology, Observation
• Floating within scope of practice and in rotation with other travelers

Orientation

• 2 days classroom/unit orientation including policies, protocols, and online learning
• 2 orientation shifts with a preceptor on the unit

Scheduling

• 6-week scheduling blocks
• Weekend rotation: up to 4 out of 6 weekends (Friday-Sunday)
• Option to work every weekend (WOW) may be requested
• No mandatory on-call; on-call shifts possible as extra shifts if staffing allows
• Holiday time off requests require manager approval; blackout dates August 1-18 (Sturgis Motorcycle Rally)
• Time off approval up to 1.5 weeks; longer absences require extended approval

Additional Information

• Scrub color: Navy Blue
• Free parking available
• Teaching hospital environment with potential to work with students
• Monthly audits for pre/post pain scoring with 90% compliance required

Required Pre-Employment Documentation & Compliance

• Flu documentation (2025-26 season)
• ACLS certification
• Annual core competencies
• Clinical references (2)
• COVID-19 requirements
• BLS certification
• Criminal background check
• Drug screening
• Education and license verification
• Hepatitis B titers/vaccine/declination
• HIPAA training
• Medication exam
• MMR titers or immunization
• NIH Stroke Scale certification
• NURSYS verification
• Photo ID
• Physical exam
• Resume
• Skills checklist
• TB testing
• TDAP vaccination
• Unit competency verification
• Varicella titers or immunization