Float Pool RN – ED Holding & PCU
Puyallup, WA
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PCU (Float Pool)

Location: Puyallup, Washington
Specialty: Nursing Float Pool
Contract Length: 14 weeks

Job Overview

• Mainly supporting Emergency Department (ED) holding unit and float pool teams across multiple units.
• Float assignments may include partial shifts within scope of practice.
• Fast-paced environment requiring flexibility and resourcefulness.
• Primary unit: ED Holding (patients waiting for beds).

Units & Bed Counts

• MSICU: 40 beds
• CVICU: 10 beds (no specific CVICU experience required)
• PCU: 40 beds
• 2R PCU Obs: 18 beds (up to 27 beds when open for overflow)
• CCU: 30 beds
• Medical: 89 beds
• Surgical: 55 beds
• Flex Unit: 9 beds (PCU and MS patients)
• Inpatient Rehab: 47 beds on two floors
• ED Holding Unit (primary assignment)
• COVID overflow as needed

Experience Requirements

• ICU: Minimum 2 years ICU experience
• PCU/PCU ER holds: Minimum 2 years PCU experience
• Medical-Surgical (MS): Minimum 2 years acute care experience
• First-time travelers accepted (no prior travel experience required)

Patient Types / Common Diagnoses

• ICU: Respiratory failure, GI bleeds, DKA, sepsis, post-op complications, CVA, flap surgeries (not assigned flap surgery patients), post-arrest, ETOH, IVDA. No craniotomies, major traumas, or major cardiothoracic cases.
• PCU: Respiratory compromise, sepsis, renal failure, bleeding disorders, CHF, COPD, pneumonia, general medical/surgical, ortho cases.
• Med-Surg: Oncology (neutropenic, post-op), psych, post-op, COPD, CHF, sepsis, DVT, AKI, dialysis, COVID (common).
• MS Ortho: Total joints, post-surgical, general medical overflow.
• MS Palliative: Pneumonia, sepsis, CHF, COPD, AKI, DVT, PE, occasional surgical, COVID.
• Rehab: Neuro (stroke, spinal cord injury, TBI, multi-trauma, post-COVID, post-ICU), vents, trachs, med-surg acuity.
• ED Holding: Mixed diagnoses; ICU patients 1:2 ratio, PCU 1:4, MS 1:5; isolation and non-ambulatory patients.

Patient Ratios

• ICU: 1:2 (acuity dependent)
• PCU and CCU: 1:4 (acuity or discharge dependent)
• Medical and Surgical: 1:5
• PCU floated to MS: 1:5
• Rehab: 1:8 (team model with RN, LPN, Tech)

Required Licenses & Certifications

• ICU & PCU: ACLS, BLS, NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• Med-Surg: BLS, NIHSS

Required Skills

• ICU: Cardiac rhythm interpretation, ventilator management, invasive line management, ostomy care, drains, tracheostomies.
• PCU: Cardiac rhythm interpretation, chest tubes, lumbar drains, tracheostomies, IV medication titration (Amiodarone, Cardizem, Nitro, Dopamine, Dobutamine, non-DKA insulin, Heparin, sometimes Cardene).
• Med-Surg: IVs, PCAs, chest tubes, drains, ostomies, IV antibiotics.
• Strong communication and patient teaching/education skills required for all clinicians.

Support & Resources

• Tech support ratios: ICU 1:14, PCU 1:10, MS 1:8-10
• Respiratory Therapy available 24/7
• Hospitalist and Intensivist coverage 24/7

Technology & Equipment

• EMR: EPIC
• IV Pumps: Alaris
• Medication Dispensing: Pyxis

Orientation

• 2 days hospital orientation (login access, modules)
• 1 day unit orientation
• 4 hours orientation for other units when floating
• Telemetry competency required

Scheduling

• Must call staffing office 30-45 minutes before shift for assignment (preferred) or check assignment posted at House Supervisor’s office
• Shift start times: 0700 or 1900 (cannot clock in earlier than 0653/1853)
• Weekend shifts vary by unit needs
• Schedule provided 3 weeks at a time, about 10 days in advance
• No holiday requests, self-scheduling, or on-call
• Time off approved up to 5 days; additional days require manager approval
• Time off requests may require extending assignment length

Additional Notes

• Prior travel experience is not required.
• Must be flexible to float within scope of practice.
• ACLS RN role includes patient transport throughout hospital and assisting ED Holds during slower transport times (primarily night shift).

This position is ideal for nurses with at least 2 years of relevant acute care experience who are comfortable working in a fast-paced, variable environment with multiple patient populations and float assignments.