Cardiovascular Surgical ICU RN
Sacramento, CA
Olaro
3x12 hrs, Nights
$2,940/weekOverview
- Start Date03/17/2026
- Shift Breakdown3x12 hrs
- ShiftNights
- Duration13 weeks
Pay
Description
Job Opportunity: RN - Cardiovascular Surgical Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)
Location: Sacramento, California
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Job Description
Seeking experienced CVICU nurses for a travel contract. Candidates will care for critically ill cardiovascular surgical patients including pre- and post-operative CABG, LVADs, Impellas, IABP, TAVRs, CRRT, and Swan monitoring. The unit has 20 beds with nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:1 to 1:2.
Work Environment & Schedule
- 12-hour shifts (day shift starts at 6:45 AM; night shift starts at 5:45 PM)
- Weekend requirement: every other weekend
- Holiday shifts: rotate with core staff; travelers expected to work 2 of the 3 major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's)
- Self-scheduling available but finalized by management
- Floating primarily to other Sacramento facilities; mid-shift float is rare
- Charge nurse duties include break relief but generally no patient assignments
- Nurse aides available as staffing dictates
- EMR system: Cerner
- Telemetry monitoring and ventilator management required
- Hospitalist or Intensivist available in-house
- Respiratory therapy and pharmacy available 24/7
Required Certifications & Licenses
- Active California RN license
- BLS (Basic Life Support)
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
- NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 2 years of CVICU nursing experience
- Neuro ICU experience preferred due to float to MSNICU (Neuro ICU)
- Prior travel experience is not explicitly required
Additional Requirements & Notes
- Candidates must provide 2 supervisory references: one within the last 12 months and one within the last 3 years
- Candidates cannot have been employed (full-time, part-time, or PRN) by any facility associated with CommonSpirit (including CHI or Dignity) within the past year; PRN employment through outside firms is acceptable
- Dyslexia exam through Relias or UNA required prior to acceptance (pass/fail with 2 attempts allowed)
- Scrub color: navy (under shirts must be navy, white, or black; scrub jackets optional but must be navy)
- Travelers will not care for LVAD patients; core staff validate skills for CABG recovery, IABP, and CRRT
- Orientation: 1-2 days floor-specific with preceptor
Patient Population & Common Diagnoses
- Pre- and fresh post-op CABG (goal extubation within 6 hours)
- LVADs, Impellas, IABP, TAVRs
- Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)
- Critical drips and Swan monitoring
- Multiple pathway protocols in use
This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity for experienced CVICU nurses interested in a travel contract in Sacramento, CA.
Employer
Olaro
13 nurses recommend working with Olaro
Pros
Very friendly, extremely helpful and patient, explains the steps needed well and clearly. Very understanding and kind. Dave always made sure to keep in contact and help control my fears as I started my first travel assignment.
Cons
None.
Recommends working with Olaro
2 nurses found this helpful

Olaro is a trusted partner in healthcare staffing, connecting nurses and allied healthprofessionals with opportunities nationwide. For over 35 years, we’ve helped cliniciansexpand their horizons by matching them with assignments that fit their lifestyle, careergoals, and personal ambitions.
At Olaro, we value your expertise and support your growth at every step. We offercompetitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and access to diverse clinical experiencesthat build your skills and open doors to new possibilities. With 24/7 support, streamlinedonboarding, and a team committed to your success, you’ll always have a proven guideby your side.
Whether you want to explore new locations, broaden your clinical experience, orachieve better work–life balance, Olaro provides the flexibility and support to help youthrive. Join us, and let’s shape the future of healthcare together.
About Sacramento, CA
As a Travel Cardiovascular ICU Nurse in Sacramento, CA here's what you should know:- Lower than many other California cities, closer to the national average.
- Wages generally match up with the cost of living.
- Average summer highs around 94°F and lows around 60°F.
- Average winter highs around 54°F and lows around 38°F.
- Plenty of options for short term rentals, relatively easy to find due to the lower cost of living compared to other California cities.
- Car-friendly city with relatively easy traffic.
- Limited public transportation options compared to larger cities.
- Diverse population with a wide age range.
- Common health issues may include allergies due to the abundance of trees.
- Sacramento has a growing population of travel nurses.
- Abundance of restaurants, gastropubs, and breweries.
- Rich art and cultural scene with museums like the Crocker Art Museum.
- Sports enthusiasts can enjoy games of the Sacramento Kings.
- Plenty of outdoor activities in the city's large parks and recreation areas.
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