SICU Registered Nurse
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Mary Washington Hospital

Job Opportunity: SICU Registered Nurse

Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit & Patient Population

• Specialty ICU (SICU) caring for trauma patients, cardiovascular surgery patients (including TAVRs and CABGs post-OR), neurosurgery patients, and other complex surgical cases.
• Common diagnoses: acute ventilator needs, COVID+ with high oxygen demand, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), severe sepsis, unstable GI bleeds, trauma, open heart recovery, TAVR recovery, post-code blue, multi-system organ failure, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) needs.

Schedule & Work Details

• Shift: Night shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM – 7:00 AM)
• Patient Ratios: 1:2 to 1:3, adjusted based on skill level and patient acuity during float assignments
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• On-call: Not required
• Floating: Required within scope to meet facility needs
• Travel pairs: Allowed but schedules may differ
• Block scheduling: Not accommodated
• Local candidates: Accepted

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Virginia
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), with at least some experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification

Certifications & Competencies

• Medication Test/Pharmacology Competency Exam required
• Competency Exam required for all clinical candidates
• NURSYS license verification required for all RNs
• Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) not required but may be applicable depending on unit
• Other certifications such as PALS, NRP, CCRN, STABLE are not required for this role

Health & Compliance Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year prior to start
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within required timeframes
• Annual TB questionnaire if history of positive TB
• Drug screening within 30 days prior to start (specific panels required)
• Fit mask (N95) certification updated annually, with attestation if needed
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required during flu season (9/1 - 3/31)
• COVID vaccination documentation required or declination on file

Background & Documentation

• Comprehensive background check including lifetime criminal history, education verification, and federal/state registries
• Two professional references required: one from current year and one within last two years, from supervisors or licensed providers who have directly supervised the candidate (no references from this facility or system allowed)
• Employment application and work history verification covering at least 2 years
• Skills checklist and facility-specific documents (code of conduct, confidentiality agreement, Epic experience screening, orientation packet) must be completed prior to start
• Completion of mandatory online orientation modules within one week of signing

Facility & Work Environment

• Short-Term Acute Care facility with 431 staffed beds
• Level II Trauma Center
• Charting system: Epic
• Scrub color: Navy blue
• Parking: No cost

Additional Notes

• First-time travel nurses are accepted
• Return candidates with gaps greater than 30 days must complete updated documentation and forms
• Candidates must be prepared to float within their scope of practice as needed
• Manager discretion applies to return-to-office restrictions and scheduling flexibility

This position is ideal for experienced critical care RNs seeking a challenging SICU travel assignment with a reputable acute care trauma center.