Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital

Travel RN PCU Job Opportunity

Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Specialty: Registered Nurse - Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
Employment Type: Travel

Unit & Patient Information

• Unit Capacity: 36 beds
• Patient Population: Stepdown/PCU patients including:

  • Continuous BiPAP
  • Low-dose vasopressors
  • Trauma patients
  • Lumbar drains
  • CIWA patients on higher doses of Ativan
  • Hyponatremia
  • Emergency dialysis patients
  • Hyperkalemia
  • Antifreeze ingestions
  • Home ventilator patients (tracheostomies)
  • Sheath removal
  • Carotid endarterectomy (CEA)
  • Rhabdomyolysis
  • Precedex infusions
  • Stroke patients with Q2 neuro checks
  • Stable craniotomies
  • Fentanyl drips
• Patient Age Range: Young Adult through Late Adult (18 - 60+)
• Nurse to Patient Ratio: 3:1

Staffing Model

• Variable staffing grid including:

  • Registered Nurses (RNs)
  • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
  • Patient Care Technicians (PCTs)
  • Nurse Interns (NIs)
• Each RN assumes full responsibility for patients on their team

Contract Length

• 12 weeks

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Basic Life Support (BLS) - Must be American Heart Association (AHA) certified
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - Must be AHA certified
• National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Successful completion of a cardiac rhythm test
• Current nursing license with Nursys verification within 30 days prior to start
• License/Certificate primary source verification within 30 days prior to start

Onboarding & Compliance Requirements

• Ascension Color Vision test (updated every 3 years)
• Ascension Core Competencies (HIPAA, Joint Commission NPSG, OSHA topics) completed within a year of start, updated yearly, minimum 80% score
• NIH Certification (Group A yearly, Groups B-F every 2 years)
• Ascension EKG Exam (passing score of 80%, two attempts allowed)
• Ascension Onboarding Requirements Education Attestation
• Ascension Nursing Contract Worker Onboarding (completed onsite)
• Ascension Nova StatStrip training
• Ascension Cerner Test-Out
• Health Statement or physical exam prior to first assignment, updated annually
• Fit Test (annual, preferred prior to start)
• Immunizations and Health History:

  • MMR: documented proof of two vaccines or positive titer (no declinations accepted)
  • Hepatitis B: vaccination series completion or signed declination
  • Influenza Vaccine: required during flu season (Oct 1 - Mar 31), exemptions accepted with mask requirement
  • Positive PPD or IGRA with negative chest X-ray and annual TB questionnaire
  • 2 Step PPD or IGRA within 90 days of start
  • Varicella: documented proof of two vaccines, immunity, or history (no declinations accepted)
  • Tdap: valid within 10 years (no declinations accepted)
• Ascension 12 Panel Drug Screen within 30 days prior to start, updated annually
• Criminal Background Check including Social Security Trace, Employment Verification, OIG Search, National Sex Offender Registry (updated annually)
• Employment and Education Verification (within 90 days of start, updated annually)
• Ascension Skills Checklist (clinical skills, updated annually)
• Driver’s License/State ID (must be current and valid)

Additional Notes

• Professional references: at least two required prior to first assignment
• Various Ascension-specific checklists and attestations required for onboarding
• Some optional documents may be requested by unit leadership after start

This position is ideal for experienced PCU RNs comfortable managing complex stepdown patients in a fast-paced environment with a 3:1 nurse-to-patient ratio. Compliance with extensive credentialing and onboarding requirements is mandatory.