PCU/Pediatric Stepdown Registered Nurse
Hastings, Nebraska
Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital

Registered Nurse (RN) – PCU/Peds

Location: Hastings, Nebraska
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: 12-hour shifts (7am–7pm), Days and Nights, every other week rotation
Hours per Week: 36 hours

Unit Overview

• Combined PCU unit with Pediatric and Adult patients (mostly adults, occasional pediatrics)
• 27 beds (mostly private, 2 rooms can be double)
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3–5
• Shared nurse aids with ICU
• Telemetry techs present; RNs read their own cardiac strips
• Respiratory therapists manage CPAP and BiPAP equipment

Patient Population & Common Diagnoses

• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• Respiratory failure
• Atrial fibrillation (Afib)
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
• Gastrointestinal bleeds
• Dementia
• Acute kidney injury (AKI)
• Suicidal patients
• Pulmonary embolisms (PEs)
• Pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19
• Post heart catheterization patients

Required Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Experience & Skills Required

• Experience with both pediatric and adult patients
• Proficient in chest tube care, arrhythmia identification, cardioversions, transesophageal echocardiograms (TEEs), defibrillator use, and pain management
• Ability to titrate drips up and down (including Cardizem, insulin, heparin, lasix, electrolytes, dobutamine, dopamine)
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Charge nurse duties include taking patient assignments

Scheduling & Work Environment

• No self-scheduling; block scheduling with traveler accommodation
• Weekend requirement: approximately every 3rd weekend, flexibility requested
• Holiday requirement: approximately every 3rd holiday, including one winter holiday
• No call or standby requirement unless requested or volunteered
• Occasional floating to MedSurg with a full assignment
• Dress code: solid color scrubs only, no prints or designs; natural hair color required
• Orientation: 2 days nursing department orientation plus 1 shift on the floor

Additional Information

• Travel radius: 50 miles for all travelers