PCU Registered Nurse
Winston Salem, NC
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PCU

Location: Winston Salem, North Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

This position is for a Registered Nurse working in a Progressive Care Unit (PCU) that functions similarly to an ICU setting. The unit manages patients requiring close monitoring and advanced care, including those on vasoactive drips and telemetry.

Key Responsibilities & Unit Details

• Manage patients with arterial lines and titrate vasoactive drips.
• Care for patients in PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown and Telemetry units.
• Interpret and manage dysrhythmias; monitor telemetry continuously.
• Use Rapid Response Teams as needed.
• Administer IV insulin protocols and blood products.
• Manage central lines, peripheral lines, and PICC lines.
• Follow heparin protocols.
• Care for patients with CVA, chest tubes, external CPAP/BIPAP, high flow nasal cannula, tracheostomies, and non-invasive airway management.
• Adhere to isolation precautions.
• Float to sister ICCU unit as needed.
• Patient population includes adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients with diagnoses such as respiratory distress, unstable hemodynamics, GI bleeds, post-op surgeries (GYN, GU, GI, thoracotomies, neuro, ortho), and complicated OB cases.
• Only one pressor drip per patient allowed on the unit; more than one requires transfer to ICU.
• Common drips include Cardizem, Nitro, Precedex, Cardene, Levophed, Dopamine, Dobutamine, Neo.

Schedule & Staffing

• 12-hour night shifts.
• Target nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3-4.
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend.
• No block scheduling allowed.
• Maximum 7 days of RTO (request time off) allowed after booking.

Required Experience & Skills

• Valid RN license in North Carolina
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, including experience within the last year
• Strong drip experience, including experience titrating vasoactive drips
• Experience with arterial lines
• Experience using Rapid Response Teams (RRTs)
• Experience with IV insulin protocols
• Experience with blood product administration
• Experience with central line care/management
• Experience with PICC line management
• Experience with heparin protocols
• Experience with chest tubes (Emerson/Pleur-evac)

Required Certifications

• ACLS issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• BLS issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Orientation Safety Manual Acknowledgement
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing

Orientation & Testing

• Hospital orientation required during the first week; attendance at all classes mandatory.
• Must pass EKG competency exam within 72 hours of start.
• Color blindness testing required within 1 year prior to start.
• Medication/pharmacology competency exams required.

Equipment & Systems

• Bedside telemetry monitors with remote backup.
• Use of Pyxis medication system and Epic electronic health record.
• Ability to recognize and treat dysrhythmias essential.

Patient Care Environment

• ICU stepdown level care.
• No ventilators on unit.
• Use of chest tubes, tracheostomies, BIPAP, CPAP, and high flow nasal cannula.

Additional Requirements

• Floating to sister ICCU unit as needed.
• Photo ID required for badge creation.
• Compliance with hospital policies, confidentiality agreements, and annual mandatory education.
• Required health documents include negative TB test or chest x-ray, immunizations (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella), drug testing, and flu vaccination or approved exemption.
• Must complete facility-specific orientation and safety training modules.
• Must provide proof of completing required education and competency exams.

Notes

• No block scheduling allowed.
• RTO (request time off) after booking is not allowed to be worked out onsite.
• Strong drip experience is a must.
• Floating required as needed.
• Weekend coverage every other weekend.

This role is ideal for a Registered Nurse with PCU or stepdown experience who is comfortable managing complex patients requiring advanced monitoring and vasoactive medications in a fast-paced environment.