Cardiac PCU Telemetry RN
Wilmington, North Carolina
New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Registered Nurse - PCU (North Carolina, Wilmington)

Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

• Work on a cardiac floor with a focus on cardiac telemetry and progressive care unit (PCU) / stepdown level care.
• Night shift: 18:45 to 07:15 (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, total 36 hours/week).
• Patient acuity ratios vary: 1:4 for surgical stepdown, 1:5-6 for lower acuity patients.
• Expected to participate in unit rotation float (not first to float).
• Weekend requirement: 4 weekends per 4 weeks (flexible).
• May be assigned to Storm Team/Hurricane Team and required to report during catastrophic events or disasters.

Patient Diagnoses & Procedures

• Common diagnoses: Atrial Fibrillation, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), valvular diseases (aortic, mitral), endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, peripheral vascular disease, vasculitis, carotid stenosis, venous stasis.
• Procedures: CABG, AVR, MVR, TAVR, Mitral Clip, LAAO (Watchman), VATS, carotid endarterectomy, fem-pop bypass, amputations, various cardiac and thoracic surgeries, post cardiac catheterization, post DCCV, electrophysiology procedures, pacemaker placements.

Required Skills & Experience

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in North Carolina.
• Minimum 2 years of Progressive Care Unit (PCU) experience, with at least some experience within the last year.
• One completed travel assignment.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Current ACLS certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• Current BLS certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.
• Proficient in cardiac telemetry and progressive care unit nursing.
• Skilled in sheath removal and management.
• Competent in management of dysrhythmias.
• Experience in post-myocardial infarction (post MI) care.
• Knowledgeable in pre- and post-cardiac catheterization care.
• Ability to titrate cardiac drips effectively.
• Experienced in chest tube management (Emerson/Pleuravac).
• Skilled in use of external CPAP/BIPAP devices.
• Proficient in non-invasive airway management.

Preferred Skills

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

Certifications & Licenses

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license for North Carolina required.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification (AHA or American Red Cross).
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification (AHA or American Red Cross).
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.
• Must pass EKG/Dysrhythmia competency exam with a minimum score of 82% within 72 hours of assignment start.
• Other certifications may be required based on unit description but not specified here.

Orientation & Training

• Unit orientation: 24 hours.
• Must complete medication/pharmacology competency exam as applicable.
• Required to complete facility-specific education modules prior to start.
• Must complete background checks including local, federal, and national criminal databases, education verification, and other standard screenings.
• Fit testing for N95 mask or PAPR training required within 1 year prior to start.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start required; if past positive TB, additional documentation required.
• Required immunizations and titers: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (or facility-specific declination), Flu vaccination or approved exemption.
• Drug screening within 30 days of start required (10-panel urine drug screen).

Systems & Equipment

• Unit uses Pyxis medication system, EPIC electronic health record, and SBAR communication method.
• Equipment includes arterial lines (optional), Doppler, bladder scanner, EKG, femoral sheaths, TR band, Fem-stop, chest tubes, epicardial pacing wires.

Dress Code & Appearance

• Scrubs color: Navy.
• Photo for badge must be passport style with solid white background, business appropriate attire, no head coverings except glasses.

Additional Notes

• No return to office (RTO) after booking allowed; call-offs or additional RTO may lead to cancellation.
• Candidates will be interviewed prior to offer.
• Must complete facility confidentiality agreement, tobacco-free campus acknowledgement, and other required facility-specific documents.
• May be required to complete annual compliance and mandatory education during assignment.

References & History

• Two professional references within three years required for travel and acute care positions.
• Performance evaluation required if worked with the agency over one year.
• Employment application must be uploaded prior to start.

This position is ideal for experienced cardiac telemetry nurses comfortable with progressive care and complex cardiac patient management, who are flexible with night shifts and disaster response duties.