ICU Registered Nurse
Council Bluffs, Iowa
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs

ICU Registered Nurse (RN) - Night Shift

Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Details

• Unit: Medical ICU (16 beds)
• Shift: Nights (18:30 - 07:00)
• Hours: 12-hour shifts, 36 hours per week
• Weekend Requirement: Every third weekend
• Holiday Requirement: July 4th
• Scheduling: No self-scheduling or guaranteed block scheduling; traveler needed for high-need shifts
• Floating: May float to Progressive Care Unit (PCU) and Med/Surg units; training provided

Patient Care & Environment

• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: Typically 1:2, may stretch to 1:3
• Common Diagnoses: Sepsis, respiratory failure, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), STEMI, atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (A-fib RVR), COVID-19, COPD exacerbations, pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Drips & Ventilator Care:

  • RNs are required to titrate drips including vasopressors and sedation (e.g., levophed, neosynephrine, cardene, precedex, propofol)
  • Experience with drips, ventilators, and BiPAP required
• Respiratory Therapy: RTs handle adjustments on vents, CPAP, BiPAP, and high flow; RNs troubleshoot only
• Telemetry: Centralized telemonitor techs read strips; RNs must be able to read and verify cardiac strips
• Charge Nurse: Present on each shift and takes patient assignments
• Nurse Aids/Techs: None on unit

Required Qualifications

• Licensure: Valid RN license
• Certifications: BLS, ACLS, NIHSS required; PALS and TNCC preferred
• Experience: Minimum 2 years ICU experience preferred
• Skills: Proficient in ICU care including drips, ventilators, and BiPAP
• Exam: Pass/fail orientation exam requiring 90% to continue employment (open book with resources provided)
• Driver’s License: Required at submission to verify candidate is outside a 50-mile radius
• Additional Policies:

  • Artificial nails prohibited in all patient care areas; refusal to comply results in contract termination
  • Candidates may not have current or recent employment (full-time, part-time, or PRN) within 50 miles at any affiliated facilities

Support & Coverage

• Physician Coverage: Hospitalists in-house 24/7; intensivists in-house during day and available via telemedicine at night
• Respiratory Therapist Coverage: Shared with Emergency Department, not 24/7 in ICU
• Telemetry Monitors: Draeger brand

Orientation

• 1 shift ICU-specific orientation
• 1 shift PCU orientation

Additional Notes

• Prior travel experience is preferred but not mandatory
• No call or standby requirements