CVICU Registered Nurse
Peoria, Illinois
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

Registered Nurse – Adult Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Location: Peoria, Illinois
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights (12-hour shifts, 7pm–7am)
Hours per Week: 36 hours

Unit Overview

• 20 private, monitored beds
• Patient ratios vary by acuity: 1:1, 1:2, or 2:1
• Patient population includes post open heart surgery (CABG, valve procedures), dissections, vascular surgeries, STEMI, unstable angina/N-STEMI, cardiogenic shock, cardiomyopathy, targeted temperature management, pacing (transcutaneous and transvenous), severe heart failure, TAVRs, ventilated patients, and overflow from other ICUs including COVID patients
• Upcoming patient types: post VAD placement and post heart transplant

Specialty Equipment & Interventions

• Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs), Impellas, Swan-Ganz catheters, ECMO, external pacemakers, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)
• Lines commonly used: PICC, midlines, central venous catheters (CVC), Swan-Ganz, arterial lines (radial and femoral)
• Temporary pacemakers frequently utilized
• Respiratory equipment includes ventilators, CPAP, BiPAP, heated high flow, and nitric oxide

Required Skills & Experience

• Valid RN license in Illinois
• Minimum 2 years of Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU) experience, with CVICU experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Must be able to start immediately without additional training on unit-specific equipment or patient population
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment
• Strong assessment, critical thinking, communication, organization, teamwork, and time management skills
• Ability to follow protocols and physician orders precisely
• Positive attitude and compassionate care approach
• Must be able to interpret cardiac monitor strips independently

Certifications & Licenses

• Current RN license required
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) preferred
• CCRN certification is a plus

Clinical Responsibilities

• Titrate multiple drips including dopamine, dobutamine, levophed, epinephrine, norepinephrine, vasopressin, cleviprex, propofol, fentanyl, versed, insulin, heparin, esmolol, among others
• Manage ventilated patients and troubleshoot respiratory equipment as needed
• Read and interpret telemetry strips (Philips monitoring system)
• Float to all levels of care and take full team assignments as required

Support Staff & Team Structure

• Charge nurses and house supervisors available 24/7; charge nurses may take patient assignments
• Patient care technicians (PCTs) present with ratios ranging from 1:12 to 1:15 or higher depending on staffing
• Respiratory therapists available 24/7
• Cardiovascular and critical care advanced practice providers (APNs/PAs) available most of the time; providers on call

Scheduling & Work Environment

• 12-hour shifts (7am–7pm or 7pm–7am); this position is nights
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend (night weekends are Friday and Saturday)
• Holiday requirement: every other holiday
• No self-scheduling or block scheduling for travelers
• Dress code: no specific scrub color required; scrubs must be clean and professional in appearance (not too tight or loose)
• Scrubs are not provided

Additional Notes

• Proficiency in all cardiovascular ICU components is essential, except immediate post-op care (which is a bonus)
• Expect complex patients who may require multiple advanced interventions simultaneously
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required but strong CVICU experience is mandatory

Summary:
This is a 13-week travel RN assignment in a high-acuity adult cardiac ICU requiring at least 2 years of CVICU experience. The role demands advanced critical care skills, including managing complex cardiac patients, titrating multiple drips, interpreting telemetry, and working independently in a fast-paced environment. The position offers 12-hour night shifts with every other weekend and holiday requirements.