Critical Care ICU Registered Nurse
North Platte, Nebraska
Great Plains Health

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (RN) - Critical Care

Location: North Platte, Nebraska
Specialty: Critical Care
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit and Patient Care Details

• Department: Critical Care
• Unit Beds: 32
• Nurse/Patient Ratios:

  • ICU: 1:2
  • PCU: 1:4
  • MedSurg: 1:5
• Common Diagnoses: Coronary angiograms & stenting, peripheral angiograms & stenting, sepsis, neurosurgery, drug & alcohol abuse, COPD, CHF
• ICU occasionally manages IABP, Impella (higher acuity patients handled by core staff)
• Occasional pediatric patients (handled by core staff)
• RNs are required to titrate drips (all common critical care drips in ICU; Cardizem, insulin, pressors/inotropes, heparin, Lasix, bumex in PCU)
• Must be comfortable managing PCU or MedSurg patients when no ICU patients are present

Staffing and Support

• Charge Nurse on every shift (takes patients only if necessary, responds to codes/rapids)
• Nurse aides/techs generally staffed depending on census (ratios 1:8-16)
• Hospitalist coverage 24/7 (no intensivist)
• Respiratory Therapist coverage 24/7 with equipment including vents, CPAP, BIPAP, heated high flow (Opti flow)
• Telemetry techs monitor patients remotely; RNs must be able to interpret monitor strips
• Tele monitors: Phillips system

Scheduling

• 12-hour shifts: 5:45 AM - 6:00 PM & 5:45 PM - 6:00 AM
• Schedule released 6 weeks in advance, core staff scheduled first, then agency fill-in
• Weekend requirement: At least every other weekend, often most weekends
• Holiday coverage as needed
• No call or standby requirements
• No floating outside this mixed unit

Orientation

• Hospital orientation Monday-Friday first week (includes EPIC training, basic skills, manager expectations)
• Unit-specific training for 2 shifts

Required Certifications

• ACLS
• BLS
• NIHSS

Experience Requirements

• ICU background preferred; PCU background acceptable
• Must be able to titrate drips
• First-time travelers are welcome (prior travel experience not required)

Additional Notes

• Royal blue scrubs required
• Cannot live in North Platte, NE (radius rule)

Summary of Required Qualifications

• Registered Nurse license (RN)
• ACLS, BLS, NIHSS certifications
• ICU or PCU experience with ability to titrate drips
• Comfortable managing mixed acuity patients including PCU and MedSurg
• First-time travelers accepted; prior travel experience not required