Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse – Progressive Care Unit (PCU)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Provide nursing care to patients in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU) with a patient ratio of approximately 1 nurse to 5 patients. The position requires working 3x12 hour night shifts, primarily weekdays with occasional weekends and rotating holidays. Candidates must be willing to float within units of equivalent or lower acuity.

Requirements

Experience

• Minimum 4 years of experience in Medical-Surgical/Telemetry (MS/TELE).
• Minimum 2 years of experience specifically in PCU.
• Previous travel nursing experience preferred (not required).

Certifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – AHA provider/instructor or RQI accepted.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) – AHA provider/instructor or RQI accepted.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficient in IV starts and telemetry monitoring.
• Familiarity with Epic electronic health record system for documentation.
• Completion of medication/pharmacology competency exam prior to start.
• Unit-specific competency exams required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (with remediation process if needed).

Schedule

• Night shift: 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each.
• Weekdays with occasional weekends and rotating holidays.
• Must be willing to float to units of equivalent or lower acuity.

Health & Background Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting (Ohio-specific requirements).
• Education verification from accredited nursing programs (CCNE, ACEN, NLN CNEA, or CASN).
• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (no pending drug screens allowed).
• Immunizations and health documentation required:

  • Tdap vaccine (adult dose after age 11/12).
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year.
  • TB questionnaire.
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – 2 vaccines or positive titer.
  • Hepatitis B titer or 3-vaccine series (declination acceptable).
  • Varicella – 2 vaccines or positive titer (medical exemptions reviewed).
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31).
• COVID-19 vaccination not required but strongly recommended.

Additional Requirements

• Two professional references required; at least one must be from a manager/director or formal leadership.
• Employment application and skills checklist required.
• Compliance with facility-specific policies including dress code, hand hygiene, ethics, and fraud/waste/abuse training.
• Annual acknowledgment of orientation safety manual.

Notes

• No return to office (RTO) required from 2/15/26 through 2/28/26.
• Dynamic and challenging work environment.
• Fingerprinting and background checks are time-sensitive and must follow Ohio-specific protocols.
• Candidates must be prepared to complete all required documentation and certifications prior to or shortly after start date.

This position is ideal for experienced PCU nurses seeking a travel contract opportunity with a reputable healthcare system in Ohio.