Cardiovascular PCU RN
Asheville, NC
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Registered Nurse (PCU) - Travel Assignment

Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Hours per Week: 36

Unit Overview

• Unit: Cardiovascular Progressive Care (CVPC) - 40 cardiac surgery stepdown beds
• Patient Population:

  • Cardiovascular surgery and vascular surgery patients (e.g., open heart surgery including CABG, AVR, MVR, Bentall, TAVR)
  • Thoracic lung surgery (lobectomy, thoracotomy)
  • Esophagogastrectomy
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair (open and endovascular)
  • Femoral-popliteal bypass
  • Carotid endarterectomies
  • Overflow medical cardiology patients with diagnoses such as heart failure, DKA, chest pain, sepsis, heart block
• Staffing:

  • Day shift: 1 charge RN (often out of staffing), 13 RNs, 4 Patient Care Technicians (PCTs), 1.33 Health Unit Coordinators (HUC)
  • Night shift: 1 charge RN (often out of staffing), 13 RNs, 4 PCTs, 0.33 HUC
• Patient Ratios:

  • RN to patient ratio: 1:5
  • PCT to patient ratio: 1:13
• Equipment: Baxter IV pumps, CADD epidural pumps, various lifts
• Electronic Medical Record: Cerner

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in North Carolina
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, including experience within the last year
• ACLS certification
• BLS certification
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Telemetry experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the past year caring for cardiovascular surgery and vascular surgery patients (including open heart, TAVR, lobectomy, AAA repair, fem-pop bypass)
• Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU) experience

Typical Procedures Performed

• Epidural management
• Chest tube management
• Tube feedings
• IV glucose management
• Cardiac drip management (phenylephrine, dobutamine, dopamine, milrinone, cardizem, amiodarone, insulin, heparin, nitroglycerin, ketamine)

Work Environment & Culture

• Fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Flexibility and adaptability are important
• Dress code: All navy scrubs, white tops with navy bottoms, or all white scrubs

Scheduling & Shift Details

• No on-call responsibilities
• Weekend requirement: Minimum 6 weekend shifts (Saturday/Sunday, day or night) per 6-week schedule period
• Floating assignments may include any stepdown unit (1:5 or 1:6-7 ratios) or ER inpatient holding area (1:6 ratio)

Additional Notes

• Candidates without stepdown and telemetry experience will not be considered
• Prior cardiovascular surgery population experience is preferred but not mandatory
• The unit routinely operates with charge nurses out of staffing, indicating a collaborative team environment