ICU Registered Nurse
Kearney, Nebraska
CHI Health Good Samaritan

ICU Registered Nurse (RN) Job Opportunity

Location: Kearney, Nebraska
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit & Patient Care Details

• Unit: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with 33 beds (average daily census: 16)
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:2-3 for adult patients
• Common Patient Diagnoses: Trauma, cardiac conditions, overdose/substance abuse, sepsis, post-stent, pacemaker placement, stroke, vascular cases, renal failure, heart failure, respiratory distress
• RNs are required to titrate drips including cardiac drips, insulin, and sedation
• Respiratory equipment interaction: RNs troubleshoot nasal cannula to ventilator; respiratory therapists handle advanced vent settings
• Monitors/Telemetry: RNs must read, interpret, and document cardiac monitor strips (GE brand) with telemetry tech oversight
• Floating Assignments: Typically to Progressive Care Unit (PCU) or occasionally MedSurg with typical ratios of 1:4 or 1:5

Schedule & Orientation

• Shifts: 12-hour shifts, either 0630-1830 or 1830-0630
• Hours per week: 36
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Holiday Requirement: Minimum of 2 holidays during contract
• Orientation: 1 shift of unit/department-specific orientation
• Return to Orientation (RTO): Required upfront if less than 7 days into contract; no additional RTO approved
• Scheduling: Self-scheduling available for core staff and travelers; block scheduling generally not approved except possibly for weekends only
• On-call: If called back in, must arrive within 30 minutes

Required Certifications & Qualifications

• Current RN license
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) certification
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) certification
• Valid driver’s license required at submission to verify candidate is within 50-mile radius
• Must pass a 90% score on a pass/fail open book exam during orientation (exam covers skills learned)

Additional Requirements & Policies

• Candidates may not be currently employed full time, part time, or PRN with any facility associated with a specific large healthcare system within the 50-mile radius
• Artificial nails are prohibited in all patient care areas; refusal to remove will result in contract termination
• No blocked scheduling approval unless limited to weekends only
• Duo travelers requesting the same schedule or sharing a car will not be approved

Support Staff

• Nurse aides available based on census, assist with 1:1 patient care or floor support
• Healthcare Support Tech present 3 days per week (Monday-Friday, 0800-1630)

This position is ideal for experienced ICU RNs comfortable with critical care patient management, titrating drips, telemetry monitoring, and working a structured 12-hour shift schedule with weekend and holiday requirements.