Float Pool Registered Nurse - PCU
Puyallup, Washington
Multicare Good Samaritan Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PCU (Float Pool)

Location: Puyallup, Washington
Specialty: Nursing Float Pool
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Primarily supporting Emergency Department (ED) Holding unit with floating to various units including PCU, Medical-Surgical, ICU, Rehab, and others.
• Float pool assignments may include partial shifts and must be within scope of practice.
• Fast-paced environment requiring flexibility and resourcefulness.

Units & Bed Counts

• MSICU: 40 beds
• CVICU: 10 beds (no CVICU experience required)
• PCU: 40 beds
• 2R PCU Obs: 18-27 beds (overflow)
• CCU: 30 beds
• Medical: 89 beds
• Surgical: 55 beds
• Flex Unit: 9 beds (PCU and MS patients)
• Inpatient Rehab: 47 beds (two floors)
• ED Holding Unit (primary unit for traveler)
• COVID overflow as needed

Experience Requirements

• ICU: Minimum 2 years ICU experience
• PCU/PCU ER Holds: Minimum 2 years PCU experience
• Medical-Surgical (MS): Minimum 2 years acute care experience
• First-time travelers accepted (no prior travel experience required)

Patient Types / Common Diagnoses

• ICU: Respiratory failure, GI bleeds, DKA, sepsis, post-op complications, CVA, flap surgeries (no craniotomies or major trauma)
• PCU: Respiratory compromise, sepsis, renal failure, bleeding disorders, CHF, COPD, pneumonia, ortho cases
• Medical-Surgical: Oncology (neutropenic, post-op), psych, post-op, COPD, CHF, sepsis, DVT, AKI, dialysis, COVID (common)
• MS Ortho: Total joints, post-surgical, general medical overflow
• MS Palliative: Pneumonia, sepsis, CHF, COPD, AKI, DVT, PE, occasional surgical, COVID
• Rehab: Stroke, spinal cord injury, TBI, multi-trauma, post-COVID, post-ICU, vent and trach patients
• ED Holding: Mixed diagnoses, isolation and non-ambulatory patients, fast-paced

Patient Ratios

• ICU: 1:2 (acuity dependent)
• PCU and CCU: 1:4 (acuity dependent)
• Medical and Surgical: 1:5
• PCU floated to MS: 1:5
• Rehab: 1:8 (team model with RN, LPN, Tech)

Required Licenses and Certifications

• ICU: ACLS, BLS, NIHSS
• PCU: ACLS, BLS, NIHSS
• Medical-Surgical: BLS, NIHSS

Required Skills

• ICU: Cardiac rhythm interpretation, ventilator management, invasive line management, ostomy care, drains, tracheostomies
• PCU: Cardiac rhythm interpretation, chest tubes, lumbar drains, tracheostomies, IV med titration (Amiodarone, Cardizem, Nitro, Dopamine, Dobutamine, non-DKA insulin, Heparin, sometimes Cardene)
• Medical-Surgical: IVs, PCAs, chest tubes, drains, ostomies, IV antibiotics
• Strong communication and patient education skills required

Support & Resources

• Tech support ratios: ICU 1:14, PCU 1:10, MS 1:8-10
• Respiratory Therapy available 24/7
• Hospitalist and Intensivist coverage 24/7

Technology & Equipment

• EMR: EPIC
• IV Pumps: Alaris
• Medication Dispensing: Pyxis

Orientation

• 2 days hospital orientation (login, modules, etc.)
• 1 day unit orientation
• Up to 4 hours orientation when floating to other units
• Telemetry competency required

Scheduling

• Shift start times: 0700 or 1900 (cannot clock in earlier than 0653/1853)
• Assignments communicated 30-45 minutes before shift start
• Schedule provided 3 weeks at a time, about 10 days in advance
• Weekend shifts vary by unit needs
• No holiday requests, self-scheduling, or on-call
• Time off approved up to 5 days; additional days require manager approval
• Time off requests may require extending assignment

Additional Notes

• ACLS RN will transport patients hospital-wide during night shifts and assist ED Holding unit when not transporting.
• Traveler must be flexible and able to work in a variety of settings within the float pool.

This position offers a dynamic float pool nursing opportunity with a variety of patient populations and units, ideal for nurses with at least 2 years of acute care experience looking to expand their skills in a supportive environment.