PCU Registered Nurse - Cardiac Telemetry Step-Down
Wilmington, North Carolina
New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Registered Nurse (PCU) - Travel/Contract

Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night, 18:45 - 07:15 (3 shifts per week, 36 hours total)

Job Summary

Provide nursing care on a cardiac telemetry step-down unit with a focus on cardiac patients including post-MI, post-cardiac cath, and management of dysrhythmias and cardiac drips. The role involves care for patients with complex cardiac diagnoses and post-surgical cardiac and vascular procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in North Carolina
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Cardiac PCU - Progressive Care Unit, including experience within the last year
• One completed travel assignment
• Certifications:

  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
  • NIH Stroke Scale Certification (NIHSS)
• Education: Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Clinical skills and experience in:

  • Cardiac telemetry and step-down care (PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown)
  • Sheath removal and management
  • Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
  • Post myocardial infarction (Post MI) care
  • Pre- and post-cardiac catheterization care
  • Management and titration of cardiac drips
  • Non-invasive airway management including CPAP/BIPAP and nasal cannula

Preferred Qualifications

• Arterial line management
• Wound care and wound vac experience
• Charge nurse experience

Patient Diagnoses & Procedures

• Atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, coronary artery disease
• Valvular heart diseases (aortic stenosis/regurgitation, mitral regurgitation/stenosis)
• Endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, peripheral vascular disease, vasculitis
• Post cardiac surgeries including CABG, AVR, MVR, TAVR, mitral clip, LAAO (Watchman procedure)
• Vascular surgeries such as carotid endarterectomy, fem-pop bypass, amputations
• Post electrophysiology procedures, pacemaker placements, thoracic surgeries

Unit Details & Equipment

• Nurse-to-patient ratios vary by acuity: 1:4 for surgical step-down, 1:5-6 for lower acuity
• Unit systems: Pyxis medication system, EPIC electronic health record, SBAR communication tool
• Special equipment includes arterial lines (optional), Doppler, bladder scanner, EKG, femoral sheaths, TR band, Fem-stop, chest tubes, epicardial pacing wires
• Orientation: 24 hours
• Scrubs: Navy color required

Work Requirements

• Float: Will follow unit rotation; not first to float
• Weekend shifts: Approximately 4 per 4 weeks (flexible)
• Contract staff may be assigned to Storm/Hurricane Teams and required to report during catastrophic events or disasters

Compliance & Onboarding Requirements

• Background checks including local, federal, national criminal, sex offender, education verification, and others as required within 90 days of start
• Physical exam within 1 year of start; if past positive TB, physical within 30 days required
• Fit mask testing (N95 or PAPR training) within 1 year of start; onsite fit testing available if needed
• Negative drug screen within 30 days of start (10-panel)
• Immunizations and titers required: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (or facility-specific declination), Flu vaccination or approved exemption
• TB testing: PPD, Qgold, or Tspot within 1 year; if positive, chest x-ray within 5 years and physician-signed TB questionnaire within 30 days
• Required facility-specific documents and training modules including confidentiality agreement, education roster, tobacco-free campus acknowledgement, medication safety, and annual compliance training
• Must complete Non-Novant Health Worker Orientation modules if applicable
• Must complete competency exams including medication/pharmacology and dysrhythmia/EKG competency (first attempt within 72 hours, minimum 82% score required)
• References: 2 professional references within 3 years for travel/per diem acute care RNs
• Employment application upload required

Additional Notes

• No return-to-office (RTO) after booking allowed; call-offs or additional RTO may lead to cancellation
• Interview required prior to offer
• Candidates must provide a passport-style photo on a white background for badge creation
• Contract length is 13 weeks
• Night shift only, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each

This position is ideal for experienced cardiac telemetry nurses comfortable with complex cardiac patient care and step-down unit responsibilities, seeking a travel contract in North Carolina.