CVICU Registered Nurse
Asheville, North Carolina
Mission Hospital - Memorial Campus

Registered Nurse (CVICU) - Travel Assignment

Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Hours per Week: 36 hours (12-hour shifts, alternating weekends)

Unit Overview

• Unit: Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)
• Number of Beds: 16
• Patient Ratios: Typically 2:1 or 1:1; occasionally 3:1 depending on acuity
• Staffing: RNs only (no unit clerks or patient care techs)
• Equipment: Ventilators, Telemetry, Baxter IV Pumps, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP), Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), Impella, Hypothermia equipment
• Documentation System: Cerner
• Floating Policy: Travelers float to all areas within the unit
• Dress Code: Navy or navy and white scrubs only; no pullovers, hoodies, or green scrubs except when uniform is soiled at work

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in North Carolina
• Minimum 2 years of Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) experience, including experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• ACLS and BLS certifications
• Proficient in titration of vesicant medications
• Experience with sedation and paralytics
• Skilled in ventilator management and tracheostomy care
• Telemetry interpretation
• Understanding of hemodynamics and pulmonary artery (PA) catheter setup and interpretation
• Experience with transvenous pacing and cardioversion
• Experience with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

Preferred Skills and Certifications

• CCRN certification recommended but not required
• Experience or familiarity with advanced therapies and equipment such as IABP, Impella, and CRRT

Procedures Commonly Performed on Unit

• Cardioversion
• Central line insertion
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
• Bronchoscopy
• Chest tube insertions
• Pericardiocentesis
• Thoracentesis

Additional Information

• Scheduling: 36 hours per week with 12-hour shifts and alternating weekends
• Unit culture emphasizes advanced cardiovascular critical care with a focus on complex hemodynamic monitoring and advanced cardiac support devices
• No specific certifications beyond ACLS, BLS, and NIH are required, but advanced certifications and skills are appreciated
• The unit does not have additional support staff such as unit clerks or patient care technicians; RNs provide all direct patient care
• Uniform adherence is strictly enforced to maintain professional appearance and infection control standards

This position is ideal for experienced critical care RNs seeking a challenging cardiovascular ICU travel assignment with exposure to advanced cardiac support technologies and procedures.