SICU RN
Houston, Texas
CHI Saint Luke's Health-Baylor Saint Luke's Medical Center

SICU RN

Overview

• 6CA SICU in Houston, Texas
• 12-bed unit
• Nights, 12-hour shifts, 36 hours per week
• 6-week contract

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Texas
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• SICU - Surgical Intensive Care (2 years of experience)
• SICU - Surgical Intensive Care experience within the last year
• ACLS
• BLS
• NIHSS
• Experience with Epic

Unit Details

• Nurse-to-patient ratios: 1:2 or 1:3 depending on downgrade, acuity, or emergency admit
• Busy, large Level 1 Trauma setting
• Intensivist on unit days and/or nights; APPs on unit 24/7
• RT in ICU 24/7
• No tele/monitor techs; RN reads strips
• Charge nurse is present; currently takes a full assignment
• Nurse aides/patient care techs are intermittent and may assist with ADLs, blood glucose checks, and transport

Clinical Experience / Skills

• CRRT
• Hemodynamic monitoring
• Chest tubes
• Ventilator management
• Various drains and surgical sites
• Early recognition of changes in patient condition
• Clear communication and escalation with providers
• Critical thinking skills

Patient Population

• Liver/kidney transplant
• Vascular surgeries such as endarterectomies and fem/pop bypass
• ENT cancer cases
• Facial flaps
• Throat cancer resection
• Complicated throat/esophageal infections compromising airway
• Abdominal surgery such as colectomy, ex-laps, abdominal aneurysm
• Mastectomy
• Deep tissue flaps

Floating / Scheduling

• Floats first to other ICUs within the hospital
• Weekend requirement: 4-6 days in 6 weeks depending on coverage
• Scheduled based on unit needs

Dress Code

• Teal bottoms
• Black or printed coordinating scrub top
• No fleece jackets
• No shellac, dip, or acrylic nails
• No overlays
• Unchipped regular nail polish allowed

Orientation

• 2 shifts of unit/department-specific orientation