Travel Contract

Travel Nurse RN - CVICU
Madison, WI
First Connect Health
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

$2,754/week

Posted 1 day ago

Overview

Start Date12/14/2026
Shift Breakdown3x12 hrs
ShiftNights
Duration13 weeks

Pay

Estimated total pay

$2,754/week

Estimated taxable pay
$1,404/week
Estimated non-taxable stipends
$1,350/week

Benefits

Sick pay
401k retirement plan
Weekly pay
Referral bonus

Qualifications

The employer will review your Vivian profile and compare it against the job qualifications listed below.

Required

Profile

Resume

Description

🔥 36-HOUR NIGHT-SHIFT CARDIOVASCULAR INTENSIVE CARE (CVICU) RN CONTRACT – MADISON, WI

An immediate 13-week travel contract opening is available for a highly skilled Cardiovascular / Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CVICU / CTICU) Registered Nurse (RN) in Madison, Wisconsin. Operating within a 27-bed state-of-the-art Cardiothoracic Surgery ICU at a premier Magnet-designated academic Level I Trauma and comprehensive organ transplant center, this position features a dependable 3x12 overnight schedule (19:00 PM – 07:30 AM / 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM, 36 hours guaranteed weekly; unit will also consider 4x12 schedules and blocked weekends upon request). FAVORABLE 1:1 TO 1:2 CRITICAL CARE RATIOS! WISCONSIN'S #1 ACADEMIC HOSPITAL! COMPREHENSIVE MECHANICAL CIRCULATORY SUPPORT! FIRST-TIME TRAVELERS WITH LEVEL I CVICU EXPERIENCE WELCOME! NO ON-CALL! The clinical team manages high-acuity cardiothoracic surgical cases, mechanical circulatory support, and advanced surgical interventions. If you are an acute critical care nurse skilled in immediate open-heart recovery, CRRT (NxStage), advanced hemodynamics, and cardiac device management looking to earn $2,755/week in Wisconsin, this assignment is built for you!

💰 PRE-CALCULATED PAY PACKAGE

Weekly Gross: $2,755.00
Weekly Tax-Free Stipend: $1,351.00
Hourly W2 Rate: $39.00/hr (36 regular hours)
Overtime Rate: $58.50/hr

📅 SHIFT & POSITION DETAILS

Schedule: Night shifts, 3x12-Hours (19:00 PM – 07:30 AM / 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM). Unit is open to 4x12 schedules and weekend block scheduling if preferred.
Guaranteed Hours: 36 regular hours guaranteed weekly.
Assignment Duration: 13 Weeks (December 14, 2026 start date).
On-Call Requirements: NO ON-CALL REQUIRED!
Weekend & Holiday Coverage: Rotating weekend coverage (every other weekend) and rotational holiday scheduling.
Department Setting & Ratios: 27-bed Cardiothoracic Surgery Intensive Care Unit (Unit: Cardiothoracic Surgery B4/5). Dedicated unit support includes 2 Care Team Leaders (Charge RNs), 1 dedicated Rapid Response Nurse, and 3 overnight nursing assistants. Standard nurse-to-patient staffing ratios maintained at 1:1 to 1:2 (1:3 only when acuity is low and patients are at general stepdown status).
Floating Scope: Floats within critical care areas across the hospital system as operationally needed.
Clinical Scope & High-Acuity Procedures:
- Immediate post-operative cardiothoracic surgical recovery: CABG, valve repairs/replacements, aortic aneurysm repairs, aortic dissection interventions, and complex thoracic surgeries.
- Solid organ transplantation: Heart transplants and lung transplants.
- Advanced mechanical circulatory support: HeartMate 3 (HM3) LVADs, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps (IABP), Impella devices, and ECMO.
- Invasive hemodynamic monitoring: Pulmonary Artery (Swan-Ganz) catheters, continuous Central Venous Pressure (CVP), arterial lines, and FloTrac/Vigileo systems.
- Renal support: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT via NxStage machine experience required).
- Epicardial pacing wire management, chest tube maintenance, and sheath removal.
- Titration of complex vasoactive, inotropic, antiarrhythmic, and sedative infusions.
EMR System: Epic (Epic charting experience required; usage within the past 12 months preferred).

🚨 REQUISITE QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUBMISSION

Experience: Minimum 2 years of dedicated acute care CVICU / CTICU nursing experience within the last 3 years. Verified recent clinical experience in an Academic Level I Trauma Center is strictly required. Must demonstrate solid working knowledge and experience with NxStage CRRT machines (limited CRRT will be screened). (First-time travelers accepted with strong Level I CVICU background!).
Licensure: Active Wisconsin RN License or Compact/NLC Multistate License strictly in hand at submittal.
Certifications Required at Submittal (Must be attached):
- American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) — AHA only.
- AHA Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) — AHA only.

✨ APPLICATION PROCESS Avoid administrative processing delays on broad public job boards. Apply directly to this posting to lock in your file with our specialized cardiothoracic critical care recruitment team. We guarantee 100% upfront financial transparency, immediate credential checklist mapping, and prioritized clinical review!

👉 Click "Apply Now" to complete your screening and secure your December 14th start date!

📍 Location Details: Assignment is located in Madison, WI 53792 (Dept: Cardiothoracic Surgery B4/5 - 27 Private ICU Beds / Level I Trauma). ⏱️ Assignment Schedule & Hours: 13-week contract starting December 14, 2026 (36 hours guaranteed weekly on 12-hour Nights: 19:00 – 07:30). Unit will consider 4x12 schedules and blocked weekends upon request. 🚫 Local Radius & Candidate Rule: Strict 50-mile radius rule applies; local candidates residing within 50 miles of the facility are not accepted. First-time travelers are welcome with solid Level I CVICU experience. 📞 No Call Obligation: Requisition confirms zero standby on-call obligations. 🫀 Mandatory Clinical & Device Competencies: Must have documented Level I Trauma CVICU experience caring for fresh post-op open hearts (CABG, valves, dissections) and transplant/VAD populations. Hands-on proficiency with NxStage CRRT is strictly required (screen if CRRT is limited). Experience with IABP, Impella, HM3 LVAD, and ECMO preferred. 📈 Pre-Start Telemetry Testing: Traveler must pass a pre-start telemetry assessment prior to onboarding (80% overall pass mark; 100% identification of lethal rhythms required). 🅿️ Parking: Parking permit required via UW Transportation if parking on-site; park & ride/bus transit options available. 📋 Submittal Rules & Compliance: Active WI or Compact RN license, AHA BLS, and AHA ACLS must be uploaded with the initial packet (License in-hand required). Resume must show 2+ years of acute CVICU experience within the last 3 years in a Level I trauma center and Epic EMR exposure. References must be completely removed from the submittal profile per MSP rules. Maximum 2 pre-approved time off requests allowed; all Requested Time Off (RTO) must be presented upfront with the submittal packet.

Employer

First Connect Health

2.8rating(13 reviews)

3 nurses recommend working with First Connect Health

Anonymous

CNA (CNA)

5.0rating

Review of First Connect Health on Jan 18, 2026

View all reviews

About

At First Connect Health, we take pride in being a Joint Commission–certified healthcare staffing agency, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. This prestigious certification is more than just a seal — it's a reflection of our commitment to excellence, safety, and quality in everything we do.

By meeting the rigorous standards set by The Joint Commission, one of the most respected accrediting bodies in healthcare, we've demonstrated that our processes, compliance, and patient care standards are aligned with the highest levels of quality in the industry.

But our dedication goes beyond certifications. Nurses choose First Connect Health because:

✅ Trust and Transparency: We foster honest communication, timely updates, and full transparency throughout your placement journey.
✅ Best Pay & Benefits: We offer industry-leading compensation packages, along with benefits that support your career goals.
✅ Flexibility & Choice: Whether you're seeking short-term assignments, long-term contracts, or local opportunities, we provide the flexibility to suit your preferences.
✅ Personalized Support: Our recruiters take the time to understand your needs, guiding you with care, respect, and responsiveness at every step.

When you work with First Connect Health, you're not just another number — you're a valued professional. Join a team that’s focused on your success, your well-being, and your future in healthcare.

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Madison, WI

About

Madison is the capital of Wisconsin, located about an hour west of Milwaukee. Frequently listed as one of the best places to live in the United States, this city ranks high in economy, diversity and education. Madison is a young and vibrant Midwestern town and is the home of the University of Wisconsin Madison, a top-ranked public institution. Visitors can’t miss the iconic Wisconsin State Capitol Building, a beautiful historic building located on a strip of land between Lakes Mendota and Monona, or the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, open year-round and boasting over 16 gardens. To really get a feel for this lively city, take a stroll down State Street, with seven blocks of bustling restaurants, beach access and street art.

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