Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Winston Salem, North Carolina
Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (PCU) - Travel/Contract

Location: Winston Salem, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Unit functions similarly to an ICU with a focus on PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown and Telemetry patients.
• Strong experience with vasoactive drip management is essential.
• No block scheduling; schedule created by Nurse Manager.
• Target nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3-4.
• Shift: 12-hour nights, 36 or 48 hours offered.
• Floating required as needed to a sister ICCU unit.
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend.
• Patient population includes adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients with diagnoses such as respiratory distress, unstable hemodynamics, GI bleeds, post-op (GYN, GU, GI, thoracotomies, neuro, ortho surgeries), and complicated OB cases.
• Only one pressor drip per patient allowed on unit; more than one requires transfer to ICU.
• Common drips: Cardizem, Nitro, Precedex, Cardene, Levophed, Dopamine, Dobutamine, Neo.
• Equipment includes bedside telemetry monitors, arterial lines, BIPAP, chest tubes, tracheostomy care; no ventilators on unit.
• Unit uses Pyxis and Epic systems.
• Hospital orientation required during week one with daily classes.
• Must pass EKG competency testing prior to start.

Required Qualifications

• Specialty: Registered Nurse (PCU)
• Minimum Years of Experience: 2 years (accepts first-time travelers; prior travel experience NOT required)
• Experience with arterial lines, titrating vasoactive drips, telemetry monitoring, dysrhythmia interpretation and management, rapid response teams, IV insulin protocols, blood product administration, central and peripheral line care, PICC line management, heparin protocols, chest tubes, CPAP/BIPAP, high flow nasal cannula, non-invasive airway management, tracheostomy management, and isolation precautions.
• Certifications: ACLS, BCLS, NIH Stroke Certification.
• Experience with IV starts, telemetry, and conscious sedation.

Scheduling & Work Conditions

• No block scheduling allowed.
• RTO (Request Time Off) after booking is NOT allowed and cannot be worked out onsite; excessive call-offs or RTO may lead to cancellation.
• Floating to sister ICCU unit as needed.
• Weekend shifts every other weekend.

Patient & Unit Details

• Average daily census: 18 patients, 20 beds.
• ICU stepdown level care.
• Patient diagnoses include post-rapid response, respiratory distress, unstable hemodynamics, withdrawal, GI bleeds, post-op surgical patients, and complicated OB cases.
• Patient age range: adolescent to geriatric.

Orientation & Competency Requirements

• Hospital orientation week one with mandatory daily classes.
• Must pass Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam within 72 hours of start (minimum 82% score required, with up to 3 attempts).
• Medication/pharmacology competency exams required.
• Color blindness testing within 1 year required.

Required Health & Compliance Documents

• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year (or proof of past positive with appropriate documentation).
• Immunizations: Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (per standard travel requirements).
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required during flu season.
• Drug screening within 6 months of start.
• Physical exam (per travel agency standards).
• Background checks within 6 months.
• Various facility-specific compliance and confidentiality agreements.

Additional Notes

• Scrubs: Navy, white, or combination.
• Photo ID and passport-style photo required for badge creation.
• Must complete Non-Novant Health Worker Orientation modules (approx. 8 hours).
• Epic test-out option available for experienced Epic users to start earlier onsite.

This position is ideal for RNs with PCU/stepdown experience who are comfortable managing complex patients requiring vasoactive drips and telemetry monitoring, and who are open to travel assignments without prior travel experience.