Progressive Care Unit RN
Asheville, North Carolina
Mission Hospital - Memorial Campus

Registered Nurse - Progressive Care Unit (PCU)

Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Employment Type: Travel
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Overview

• Unit: Cardiovascular Progressive Care (CVPCU)
• Patient Population: Cardiovascular surgery and vascular surgery patients, including open heart surgery (CABG, AVR, MVR, Bentall, TAVR), thoracic lung surgery (lobectomy, thoracotomy), esophagogastrectomy, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair (open and endovascular), femoral-popliteal bypass, carotid endarterectomies.
• Also cares for overflow medical cardiology patients with diagnoses such as heart failure, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), chest pain, sepsis, and heart block.
• Number of Beds: 40 cardiac surgery stepdown beds
• Staffing: Approximately 100 total staff
• Patient Ratios: 1 RN to 5 patients; 1 Patient Care Technician (PCT) to 13 patients
• Equipment: Baxter IV pumps, CADD epidural pumps, various lifts
• Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system: Cerner

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in North Carolina
• Minimum 1 year of experience in Progressive Care Unit (PCU) nursing, with recent PCU experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Preferred Experience

• Stepdown unit experience
• Telemetry experience
• Experience with cardiovascular surgery and vascular surgery patient populations within the past year (including open heart, TAVR, lobectomy, AAA repair, fem-pop bypass)
• Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) experience

Typical Procedures and Skills

• Epidural management
• Chest tube management
• Tube feedings
• IV glucose management
• Cardiac drip management including medications such as phenylephrine, dobutamine, dopamine, milrinone, cardizem, amiodarone, insulin, heparin, nitroglycerin, ketamine

Work Environment and Culture

• Fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Flexible and adaptable staff preferred
• Dress Code: Scrubs in all navy, white tops with navy bottoms, or all white

Scheduling and Shift Details

• Hours per week: 36
• Weekend Requirement: Minimum 6 weekend shifts (day or night) per 6-week schedule
• No on-call required
• Floating: May float to any stepdown unit (1:5 ratio), medical-surgical units (1:6-7 ratio), or emergency room inpatient holding area (1:6 ratio)

Location Highlights

• Located in Asheville, NC, a city known for its natural beauty, arts community, museums, restaurants, and historical sites
• Regional referral center with advanced cardiovascular services and Level II trauma designation

This position is ideal for experienced cardiovascular progressive care nurses seeking a travel assignment in a well-recognized acute care facility with a supportive team environment.