ICU Registered Nurse
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield Memorial Hospital

ICU Nurse Travel Contract - California (Bakersfield)

Job Summary

Seeking an experienced ICU Registered Nurse for a travel contract in California. The position involves working in a 24-bed ICU unit (expandable to 32 beds) with a 1:1 or 1:2 nurse-to-patient ratio. The unit includes ICU and ICU-CV Recovery patients.

Contract Length

• 13 weeks

Required Experience

• Minimum 3 years of ICU nursing experience
• Prior travel experience required (no first-time travelers)

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Active California RN license
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)

Work Environment & Unit Details

• Unit: ICU and ICU-CV Recovery
• Patient types: Respiratory failure, sepsis, AMI, ARDS, GI bleed, CABG, TAVR, Impella, vascular surgeries, neuro surgeries, CVAs
• Neuro ICU experience is a plus
• Multidisciplinary rounds participation required
• EMR system: Cerner
• Telemetry: Spacelabs Monitoring with 24/7 monitor tech support; nurses responsible for tele strip interpretation
• Ventilator support maintained by Respiratory Therapists (RT) available 24/7
• Pharmacy support 24/7 with dedicated pharmacist coverage on unit
• No IV team; nurses manage IVs
• Charge nurse role available, rarely takes patients but responds to rapid responses
• Floating required to MedSurg/Tele units (floats are prioritized for travelers)

Orientation & Training

• 2 shifts orientation on the unit
• Additional orientation to East and West tower MedSurg/Tele units for floating purposes
• Basic EKG interpretation test during orientation; critical care nurses have additional testing

Shifts & Scheduling

• 12-hour shifts
• Breaks: One 30-minute clocked-out break plus three 15-minute breaks per shift (per CA law)
• Weekend schedule: Every other weekend or equivalent (4 weekend shifts in 4 weeks)

Dress Code

• Scrubs: Navy blue required (including scrub jackets)
• Undershirts: Navy, white, or black only

Additional Notes

• No nurse aides on unit
• Pagers linked to call light system and internal phones provided
• Telemetry monitors located in patient rooms
• No IV team; nurses manage IVs
• Prior travel experience is mandatory; no first-time travelers or duo travelers accepted

This opportunity is ideal for experienced ICU nurses with prior travel assignments who are comfortable with a high-acuity patient population and floating to related units.