Travel Nurse RN - PCU - Progressive Care Unit
Mechanicsville, VA
TNAA TotalMed RN
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

PCU RN – Cardio-Pulmonary Care Unit

Job Code: 740N37
Location: [Facility Name Not Provided]
Unit: Progressive Care Unit (Stepdown)
Bed Count: 27 Beds
Shift: 12-hour nights (7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Schedule: Every other weekend and major holidays
Scrub Colors: Navy blue, white, or a combination of both

Important Notes

• No local travelers within a 50-mile radius
• Must pass EKG exam during orientation (study guide available)
• Required Certifications: BLS, ACLS, NIHSS
• Skills Required:
  • Cardiac drips & titration: Cardizem, Dobutamine, Dopamine, Amiodarone, Nitroglycerin
  • Insulin drips
  • No vasopressor drips
  • Conscious sedation
  • Hemodynamic monitoring
  • Chest tube care
  • Temporary/transvenous pacing
  • Advanced respiratory modalities

Unit Details

• Equipment Used: Alaris pumps, BiPAP, PCA, GlucoStabilizer, bedside cardiac monitors, Hoyer lifts, Sara Stedy
• Typical Patient Population: Heart block, chronic cardiac conditions, chest tubes
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: Typically 1:3–4 (may vary depending on staffing levels)
• Floating: May float to other stepdown units as needed

Primary Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care using the nursing process
• Administer medications safely and in accordance with policy
• Coordinate care and serve as the patient’s point of contact
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure holistic care
• Advocate for patient safety and ethical practices
• Respond confidently and appropriately to rapidly changing patient conditions
• Educate and involve patients and families in care and discharge planning
• Promote a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
• Adhere to all hospital policies, regulatory standards, and infection control protocols

Licensure & Qualifications

• Licensure: Current RN license in the state of practice or compact license
• Certifications (Required):
  • BLS (American Heart Association)
  • ACLS
  • NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• Preferred Certifications:
  • CCRN (Critical Care)
  • PCCN (Progressive Care)
• Education:
  • Required: ADN or Diploma in Nursing
  • Preferred: BSN
• Experience:
  • Required: Minimum 1 year RN experience
  • Preferred: 6+ months acute care RN experience

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced clinical decision-making and prioritization
• Strong verbal and written communication
• Patient and family education
• Culturally competent care delivery
• Electronic charting (EPIC preferred)
• Precepting and mentoring newer staff
• Collaborative and compassionate care approach

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Frequent standing, walking, lifting, and patient movement support
• Must respond to alarms and emergencies promptly
• Regular exposure to patients' bodily fluids and various clinical environments
• Requires fine motor skills, visual acuity, and hearing abilities
• Periods of high stress, interruptions, and emergency response
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and adherence to universal precautions required

Patient Population

• Adults: 18–64 years
• Geriatrics: 65 years and older
  Must demonstrate an understanding of developmental needs and care appropriate to age.