Travel Nurse RN - PCU - Progressive Care Unit
Rapid City, SD
Thrive Staffing
3x12 hrs, Days

General Information

Join our dynamic healthcare team as a PCU Registered Nurse (RN) in a mixed patient care unit. This unit accommodates 36-48 beds, with flexibility to modify room types as needed.

Required Experience

• A minimum of 1 year of nursing experience is required.
• First-time travelers are welcome if they possess more than 1 year of nursing experience.
• First-time travelers must have EPIC experience. Travelers must reside over 100 miles away from any healthcare facility.

Patient Types

The unit serves a mixed patient population ranging from Med/Surg to Intermediate Care. Nurse patient ratios may vary based on patient acuity. Common diagnoses include, but are not limited to:

• Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) requiring insulin drips
• Pre/post-surgical patients
• Cellulitis, influenza, UTIs
• Pneumonia, COPD, CHF
• Renal failure with or without hemodialysis
• Hepatic failure, gastrointestinal disorders and infections
• Soft tissue injuries and minor fractures
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) overflow

Clinical Responsibilities

Nurses in this role will administer a variety of medications, including oral, IV, IM, and Subcutaneous (SQ), and will also be involved in:

• Titrating vasoactive drips, TPN, and tube feeding
• Blood product transfusions
• Management of peripheral IVs, midlines, PICCs, central lines, chest tubes, nasogastric tubes, drains, and collection devices
• Providing preventative and restorative skin and wound care
• Telemetry monitoring including reading and interpreting cardiac strips

Patient Ratios

• Long length of stay (MedSurg/NO Tele): 1:5-6 in a pod with 10-12 patients
• Med Surg/Telemetry (no IMC drips): 1:5 in 2 pods with 10-12 patients each
• Intermediate Care: 1:4 in a pod with 8 patients (may include Med/Tele vs IMC patients)

Required Certifications

• BLS
• ACLS
• NIHSS

Education

The candidate must have completed a nursing education program approved by a board of nursing and possess a current Registered Nurse (RN) license in South Dakota.

Skills Required

• Ability to comfortably take on MedSurg assignments.
• Prior experience with specified patient types, including IMC/stepdown and neuro patients.
• Competency in reading and interpreting cardiac strips.
• Wound care, line management, and drain/tube management.
• Familiarity with drip titration for medications such as Heparin, Insulin, Cardizem, and Amiodarone.

Support on the Unit

• CNA support is provided with a ratio of 1:8.
• A charge nurse is available who does not take patient assignments.
• Phlebotomy and IV/VAT teams are accessible for assistance.

Floating

Nurses may float within their scope of practice to any Adult Inpatient Unit, including Med Surg, Ortho/Neuro/Surgical, Heart and Vascular Unit, Oncology, and Observation.

Orientation

Two days of unit/department orientation will be provided, covering policies, protocols, and department information, followed by two shifts working with a preceptor.

Scheduling

Schedules are created in six-week blocks. Travelers may be scheduled for up to four weekends within a six-week period, and preferences for weekend work or block scheduling can be communicated