Progressive Care Unit RN
Newark, NJ
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Days

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PCU

Location: Newark, New Jersey
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Day (3 shifts of 12 hours each, 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM)
Hours per Week: 36

Job Description

Provide nursing care in a Progressive Care Unit (PCU) with a focus on adult patients (18+) experiencing multi-organ issues, heart failure, hypertension, cardiac rhythm disorders, tracheostomy/ventilator dependence, LVAD patients, and pulmonary hypertension requiring IV prostacyclin.

Required Qualifications

Licenses & Certifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New Jersey
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• BLS (Basic Life Support) issued by American Heart Association
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)
• IV Certification

Education

• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) nursing experience
• PCU experience within the last year
• Telemetry unit and remote monitoring experience

Clinical Skills

• Arterial line care and management
• PICC line care
• Heparin protocols
• PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) management
• Insulin drip titration
• Cardiac drip management and titration
• Vasoactive drip management and titration
• Dysrhythmia interpretation and management
• Post-cardiac procedure care including angiogram, MI, cardiac catheterization, and surgery
• Stable stroke care
• Intracranial hemorrhage care
• Cervical spinal cord injury care
• Peri-operative neurosurgical patient care
• Chronic neurologic disorder care
• Management of heart, lung, and kidney transplant patients
• Pulmonary hypertension patient monitoring
• Stable gastrointestinal bleed care

Systems Experience

• Experience with EPIC charting system

Scheduling & Work Details

• Charting system: EPIC experience required.
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend.
• Call-off policy: Allowed 1 shift call-off per 2 weeks.
• Holiday requirement: Must work 1 of 2 or 2 of 3 holidays as per unit needs.
• Floating: Must float within skillset without exception; ratios vary based on census, acuity, and staffing.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:4.
• Scrubs color: Navy Blue.
• Accepts first-time travelers and local candidates.

Required Documentation & Compliance

• Government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License/State ID) required within 48 hours of signing.
• Criminal background check within 30 days of start.
• E-Verify clearance required.
• Multiple background checks including EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG, and state-specific exclusions.
• Employment application or resume with 7 years of work history.
• Work history verification for at least 1 year prior to start (New Jersey state requirement).
• Two professional references within the last 2 years (one managerial).
• Various competency exams including medication/pharmacology, dysrhythmia/EKG, IV therapy/infusion, and pass/fail testing (EKG/medication).
• Color blindness testing within 1 year if job tasks require color discrimination.
• Respiratory medical clearance and on-site fit testing required prior to start; must be updated annually.
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 3 months of start; additional requirements if history of positive TB.
• Physical exam within 12 months of start, confirming ability to perform essential job functions and free of communicable disease.
• Drug screen (10-panel urine) within 30 days of start.
• Seasonal influenza vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required annually.
• Immunization proof or positive titer for:

  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within past 10 years)
• Annual education sign-off and facility-specific orientation requirements.
• Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB) certification required for ER, Pediatric ER, and Behavioral Health RNs (not specifically stated as required for this role but may be relevant if floating).
• Iron Temple online training required for ER, Pediatric ER, and Behavioral Health RNs (not specified for PCU).
• Various CEU requirements including stroke and trauma CEUs as applicable.

Additional Notes

• Candidates must complete all required competency exams within 72 hours of signing.
• Failed exams have a strict remediation and cancellation policy.
• Floating policy must be completed for every new assignment.
• Facility requires strict adherence to call-off and holiday policies.
• Candidates must bring all required documentation to orientation.
• Prior travel experience is not required.
• Locals are accepted at the same rate as travelers.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a high-acuity PCU setting with a diverse patient population requiring advanced nursing skills and certifications. The role demands strong clinical expertise, flexibility in floating, and compliance with rigorous credentialing and competency standards.