Progressive Care (Stepdown) Registered Nurse
Grand Island, Nebraska
CHI Health Saint Francis

PCU RN Position - Grand Island, Nebraska

Job Overview

• Position: PCU RN (Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse)
• Location: Grand Island, Nebraska
• Contract Length: 13 weeks
• Hours: 36 hours guaranteed per week
• Unit: Stepdown (33 beds)
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:4-5
• Shift Times:

  • Day Shift: 06:30 - 19:00
  • Night Shift: 18:30 - 07:00
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Holiday Requirement: As needed
• Floating: May float to MedSurg, Inpatient Rehab, or Skilled Care units

Experience & Certifications

• Minimum 1 year of unit experience required
• Certifications Required:

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

Patient Population & Care

• Patient Types: Young adults through geriatrics
• Common Diagnoses: Sepsis, STEMI, CHF, chest pain, COVID, stroke, renal failure, COPD, DKA, multisystem failure
• RN Responsibilities:

  • Titrate drips (Heparin, Amiodarone, Cardizem, Nitroglycerin, IV antibiotics, Insulin)
  • Maintain IV meds (non-titratable)
  • Read and interpret telemetry strips (tele/monitor techs present but RNs responsible for interpretation)
• Charge Nurse: Present on each shift and takes an assignment
• Support Staff: CNAs available with a fluctuating 1:10 ratio based on census
• Respiratory Equipment: BiPAP, Airvo

Orientation & Training

• Orientation: 1 week classroom + 2 shifts (12 hours each) on the floor
• Exam: Pass/fail open book exam on skills during orientation; 90% required to pass

Policies & Additional Information

• Radius Rule: Candidates must live within 50 miles and cannot be currently employed full-time, part-time, or PRN with any facility associated with CommonSpirit (including CHI and Dignity)
• Driver’s license required at submission to verify distance
• Fingernail Policy: Artificial nails prohibited in all patient care areas; refusal to comply results in contract termination
• Scheduling: Unit schedulers assign traveler schedules (no self-scheduling)
• Dress Code: Navy blue scrubs for RNs
• Work Environment: Busy patient flow with simultaneous admissions, discharges, and shift changes within a 6-hour window
• Desired Attributes: Strong teamwork, positive attitude, engagement in patient experience, commitment to bedside report and hourly rounding
• Return to Office (RTO): Required within 7 days of contract start; no additional RTO approvals

This position is ideal for RNs with progressive care experience who thrive in a fast-paced environment and are committed to high-quality patient care and teamwork.