Cardiovascular Surgical ICU RN
Sacramento, CA
Olaro
3x12 hrs, Nights

Registered Nurse – Cardiovascular Surgical Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)

Location: Sacramento, California
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights (12-hour shifts, 0545 start for days, 1745 start for nights)
Hours per Week: 36

Job Overview

• High acuity CVICU with 20 beds, nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:1 to 1:2
• Float to other Sacramento facilities; mid-shift float is rare but possible
• Telemetry unit: must be able to read and interpret EKG strips
• Patient population includes pre- and fresh post-op CABG (goal extubation within 6 hours), LVADs, Impellas, IABP, TAVRs, CRRT (Next Stage), critical drips, and Swan monitoring
• Core staff validate skills for CABG recovery, IABP, and CRRT; travelers will not take LVAD patients
• Cerner EMR system used
• Charge nurse duties include break relief but generally no patient assignments
• Nurse aides available depending on census and staffing
• Hospitalist or Intensivist present in-house
• Respiratory therapy and pharmacy available 24/7
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend
• Holiday shifts rotate with core staff
• Scrub color: Navy (under shirts must be navy, white, or black; scrub jackets optional but must be navy)
• Orientation: 1-2 days floor-specific with preceptor

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in California
• Minimum 2 years of CVICU experience, including experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Current ACLS, BLS, and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certifications

Additional Requirements & Notes

• Two supervisory references required at time of submission: one within the last 12 months and one within the last 3 years (charge nurse references accepted)
• Candidates must not have been employed (full-time, part-time, or PRN) by any facility associated with a specific large health system in the past year; PRN employment through outside firms is acceptable
• A dysphagia exam must be completed within 24-48 hours prior to contract signing; passing score required (80% with up to 2 attempts)
• Self-scheduling is used but finalized by management; schedules released 4 weeks in advance; travelers can make themselves available for extra shifts and trade shifts with staff
• Overtime and extra shifts are available
• Block scheduling generally not available

Work Environment & Culture

• Very high acuity unit requiring strong clinical skills and critical thinking
• Floating to other units/facilities within Sacramento area expected
• Charge nurse role includes break relief but limited patient care assignments
• Collaborative environment with hospitalists, intensivists, respiratory therapists, and pharmacy support available around the clock

This position is ideal for experienced CVICU nurses seeking a challenging travel assignment in a high-acuity cardiovascular surgical ICU setting with strong support and a structured schedule.