Progressive Care Unit (PCU) Registered Nurse
Council Bluffs, Iowa
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs

Registered Nurse (RN) – Stepdown Unit (PCU)

Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights (12-hour shifts)
Hours per Week: 36 hours

Unit & Patient Care Details

• Unit Type: Stepdown (Progressive Care Unit)
• Number of Beds: 22
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:4
• Common Patient Diagnoses: Heart failure, Atrial fibrillation, Respiratory distress, Stroke
• Nurse Responsibilities:

  • Titrate drips (e.g., Cardizem, amiodarone, nitroglycerin)
  • Read and interpret telemetry strips independently
  • Troubleshoot CPAP equipment
• Charge Nurse: Present on each shift and takes a full patient assignment
• Support Staff: Patient care techs available at a 1:10 ratio
• Floating: May float to ICU if experienced and appropriate

Scheduling & Orientation

• Shift Times: 0630-1900 and 1830-0700 (cyclic scheduling)
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Holiday Requirement: 1 major and 1 minor holiday
• Orientation: One 12-hour shift on the unit
• Scheduling: Cyclic; no mention of self-scheduling or block scheduling

Required Certifications & Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RN) license required
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) certification
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) certification
• Must pass a pass/fail exam during orientation with a minimum score of 90% (open book, resources provided) or face termination

Additional Requirements & Policies

• Radius Rule: Candidates must live within 50 miles and cannot be currently or recently employed (full-time, part-time, or PRN) with any facility affiliated with certain large healthcare systems within the past year
• Driver’s license required at submission to verify distance
• Fingernail Policy: Artificial nails are prohibited in all patient care areas; refusal to comply results in contract termination
• Fast-paced environment requiring a positive attitude, teamwork, and patient-focused care

Experience

• Specialty: Progressive Care Unit (PCU) RN
• Years of Experience: Not explicitly stated; implied competency in telemetry, drip titration, and stroke care required
• Prior travel experience: Not specified or required

This position is ideal for an RN experienced in telemetry/stepdown care, comfortable with cardiac and stroke patient management, and able to work night shifts in a fast-paced environment.