PCU Registered Nurse
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Registered Nurse – PCU (Stepdown/Progressive Care Unit)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Overview

• 32-bed Stepdown/PCU unit with mixed acuity patients (medical diagnoses, pre- and post-surgical).
• Average daily census: 25–32 patients.
• Night shift: 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM (3 shifts per 12 hours, 36 hours/week).
• Schedule includes every other weekend.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Ohio.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• 2 years of PCU (Progressive Care Unit) experience.
• PCU (Progressive Care Unit) experience within the last year.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) issued by the American Heart Association.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) issued by the American Heart Association.
• NIHSS.
• Ability to float within the organization as needed.
• First-time travelers accepted (no prior travel experience required).

Preferred Skills

• Experience with telemetry and dysrhythmia interpretation/management.
• Participation in rapid response/code teams.
• IV therapy and blood product administration.
• Central line and PICC care, heparin protocols.
• Respiratory support and wound care.
• Care of pre- and post-surgical patients.

Job Responsibilities & Additional Details

• Floating and call responsibilities required.
• Teaching hospital experience is welcomed.
• One pre-approved time-off request allowed per contract.
• Scrub color and details provided at orientation.

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting (code 3701.881). Fingerprinting must be current within 1 year of start date.
• Education verification from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
• State license verification within 30 days of start.
• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam required prior to start.
• Unit-specific competency exams, including dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam within 1 year of start (minimum passing score 76%).
• Annual orientation safety manual acknowledgement.
• Annual stroke education (BEFAST Stroke Continuing Education) required for stroke-capable areas.
• 2 professional references required (at least one from a manager/director or formal leadership).
• Employment application required.
• Skills checklist required.

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Negative TB test (PPD, QGold, or TSPOT) within 1 year or chest x-ray if positive. Annual TB questionnaire required.
• Tdap vaccine (adult dose after age 11/12).
• 2 MMR vaccines or positive titers for Rubeola, Mumps, and Rubella (boosters required if low titer).
• Varicella: 2 vaccines or positive titer (medical exemptions require documentation).
• Hepatitis B titer or 3-vaccine series (signed declination acceptable).
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start (new travelers cannot start with pending drug screen).
• Seasonal flu vaccination or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31). Decliners must wear a mask.
• Fit mask test required annually for inpatient/patient-facing roles starting 7/13/2026 and beyond (3M 1860/1870+, Halyard Duckbill masks accepted). Onsite fit testing available if needed.
• COVID vaccination not required but strongly recommended.

Parking Options (for informational purposes only)

• Various parking permits available with different cost and convenience levels (not included here per instructions).

This summary includes all relevant information for healthcare recruiters and workers considering this travel RN position in a PCU/Stepdown unit in Ohio.