PCU RN
Rapid City, SD
Thrive Staffing
3x12 hrs, Flexible

General Information

The unit consists of 44 beds and is seeking experienced nursing professionals. Minimum qualifications include:

• 1.5 years of general nursing experience, with at least 1 year in a Progressive Care Unit (PCU).
• First-time travelers are accepted with a minimum of 2 years of nursing experience.
• Travelers must reside at least 100 miles away from any facility.
• Permanent staff may return as travelers after a waiting period of one year.

Patient Types

This unit treats a diverse range of patients, including those with:

• Intermediate Care acuity, Telemetry, and Medical-Surgical needs.
• Direct admits, Emergency Department admits, and post-catheterization lab patients.
• Conditions such as Myocardial Infarction (MI), Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Dysrhythmias, and Pacemaker issues.
• Step-down level care for post-cardiac and vascular procedures, including open-heart surgery.

Patient Ratios

Typically, the nurse to patient ratio is:

• 1:4, escalating to 1:3 based on patient acuity.

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)

Required Education

Candidates must have completed a nursing education program approved by a state board of nursing, holding a valid Registered Nurse (RN) license.

Skills Required

Key skills expected include:

• Experience in cardiac procedural recovery, including CABG and TAVR.
• Knowledge of pharmacology related to myocardial infarction and titratable cardiac/vasoactive drips.
• Proficiency in cardiac rhythm interpretation and chest tube management.
• Administration of TNK (Tenecteplase) is preferred but not mandatory.

Support on the Unit

Staffing support includes:

• CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) ratio of 1:5-8, depending on the shift.
• Charge nurse available but unassigned.
• Phlebotomy services available for peripheral blood draws.
• Respiratory Therapy available 24/7.
• Hospitalist presence in the facility 24/7, but not dedicated to the unit.

Charting System/Equipment

The unit utilizes the following systems:

• Epic for patient documentation.
• Alaris for IV medication administration.
• Omnicell for medication management.

Floating Policy

Staff may be required to float primarily to a sister unit, with potential for floating to Medical-Surgical, Telemetry, or ICU units based on patient needs and within scope of practice.

Orientation

New hires will complete:

• 2 partial days of education
• 3 full 12-hour shifts on the unit for training.

Scheduling

Scheduling details include:

• Weekend rotations required every other weekend.
• No on-call requirements.
• Holidays are expected every other.
• Time-off approvals for up to 7 days; extensions required for full week requests. No time off during the first 3 weeks of August.
• Typical shift times are 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM and 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM. Variable scheduling may occur, but efforts will be made to minimize switchovers.

Additional Notes

• Possibility of precepting nursing students.
• Dress code includes navy blue scrubs.