Float Pool Registered Nurse – PCU
Puyallup, WA
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PCU (Nursing Float Pool)

Location: Puyallup, Washington
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Specialty

Nursing Float Pool with primary assignment in ED Holding and support across multiple units including PCU, ICU, Med-Surg, Rehab, and others.

Unit Information & Patient Types

• ED Holding (Primary Unit):

  • Fast-paced unit with mixed diagnoses
  • Patient ratios: ICU 1:2, PCU 1:4, Med-Surg 1:5
  • Includes isolation and non-ambulatory patients
  • Requires flexibility and resourcefulness

• ICU:

  • 40 beds (MSICU), 10 beds (CVICU)
  • Patients with respiratory failure, GI bleeds, DKA, sepsis, post-op complications, CVA, flap surgeries (no major trauma or cardiothoracic)
  • Higher level therapies like Rotoprone, CRRT, TPA (flap surgeries excluded)
  • Patient ratio: 1:2 based on acuity

• PCU:

  • 40 beds plus 18 beds in 2R PCU Obs (overflow up to 27 beds)
  • Patients with respiratory compromise, sepsis, renal failure, bleeding disorders, CHF, COPD, pneumonia, ortho cases
  • Patient ratio: 1:4 (or 1:5 if floated to Med-Surg)

• Med-Surg:

  • Medical (89 beds) and Surgical (55 beds)
  • Oncology (neutropenic, post-op), psych, general medical-surgical including COPD, CHF, sepsis, DVT, AKI, dialysis, COVID (common)
  • Ortho: total joints, post-surgical, general overflow
  • Palliative: pneumonia, sepsis, CHF, COPD, AKI, DVT, PE, occasional surgical, COVID
  • Patient ratio: 1:5

• Rehab:

  • 47 beds on two floors
  • Neuro patients: stroke, spinal cord injury, TBI, multi-trauma, post-COVID, post-ICU
  • Vent and trach care present
  • Patient ratio: 1:8 (team model with RN, LPN, Tech)

• ACLS Transport:

  • RN transports patients hospital-wide (inpatient units, ED, CT, MRI, Cath Lab, etc.)
  • Night shift ACLS RN supports ED Holds when not transporting

Experience Requirements

• ICU: Minimum 2 years ICU experience
• PCU/PCU ER Holds: Minimum 2 years PCU experience
• Medical-Surgical: Minimum 2 years acute care experience
• First-time travelers accepted: Yes
• Prior travel experience required: No

Licenses & Certifications Required

• ICU & PCU: ACLS, BLS, NIHSS
• Med-Surg: BLS, NIHSS

Skills Required

• ICU: Cardiac rhythm interpretation, ventilator management, invasive line management, ostomy care, tracheostomy care, general drains
• 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 education skills required

Support & Staffing

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

Technology & Equipment

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

Floating

• Floating possible for partial shifts within scope of practice

Orientation

• 2 days hospital orientation (login, modules, etc.)
• 1 day unit orientation
• Up to 4 hours orientation on other units when floating
• Telemetry competency required

Scheduling

• Shift start times: 0700 or 1900 (cannot clock in earlier than 0653/1853)
• Must call staffing office 30-45 minutes before shift for assignment (preferred)
• Assignments posted outside House Supervisor’s office
• 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

This position offers a dynamic float pool role with diverse patient populations and requires strong clinical skills, flexibility, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.