CCU Registered Nurse
Carroll, IA
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Registered Nurse (RN) – CCU

Location: Carroll, Iowa
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights
Hours: 12-hour shifts, 36 hours per week

Unit and Patient Population

• Critical Care Unit (CCU) with 6 beds for CCU-level patients; may flex to MedSurg Pediatric patients as needed
• Common patient diagnoses: CHF, Pneumonia, COPD, Sepsis, DKA
• Procedures occasionally performed by providers: central line insertions, thoracentesis, paracentesis
• No in-house hospitalist or intensivist; patients managed by private physicians
• Respiratory Therapist coverage limited: RT available weekdays during day shift; nights and weekends CCU nurses manage respiratory treatments and equipment (CPAP, Bipap V60, Vapotherm, Hamilton ventilator)

Staffing and Ratios

• Nurse-to-patient ratio goal: 1:2, may increase to 1:4 depending on acuity and MedSurg Peds needs
• Nurse aide ratios: goal 1:6 day shift, 1:8 night shift (varies by census and staffing)
• Charge Nurse oversees both MedSurg Peds and CCU sides; typically no patient load but may take assignments as needed
• No telemetry/monitor techs; CCU nurses monitor telemetry and cannot leave area without coverage (usually House Supervisor)

Required Qualifications

• Current Iowa RN license
• BLS (AHA) and ACLS (AHA) certifications required
• Minimum 3 years of CCU experience
• Minimum 1 year of prior travel nursing experience required
• Ability to titrate drips (e.g., Cardizem, insulin, norepinephrine)

Preferred Certifications

• TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)

Scheduling and Work Environment

• 12-hour night shifts starting at 7 PM
• Breaks: two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute lunch break; House Supervisor covers breaks
• 6-week rotating schedule; attempts made to accommodate scheduling needs but no guaranteed block scheduling
• Weekend requirement: every third weekend (Fri/Sat/Sun), flexible to Sat/Sun/Mon if needed
• Holiday requirement: 1 major and 1 minor holiday per contract, depending on season
• Floating: must be able to float to MedSurg Peds unit; cross-training opportunities available for Behavioral Health and ER

Orientation and Additional Information

• Unit-specific orientation: two 12-hour shifts
• Scrub colors allowed: grey, black, pink, or white in any combination
• Med drawer keys are limited and must be signed out and returned each shift; replacement fees apply if lost
• Positive work culture emphasizing teamwork, quality initiatives, and professional engagement

This position offers a dynamic CCU environment with a supportive team and opportunities for cross-training in related units.