Critical Care ICU Registered Nurse
Middletown, Connecticut
Middlesex Hospital

Registered Nurse – Critical Care Unit

Location: Middletown, Connecticut
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit & Patient Care Details

• Unit size: 24 beds
• Nurse-to-patient ratios:

  • General: 1:2
  • High acuity: 1:1
  • Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) Days: 1:3
  • IMCU Nights: 1:4
• Common patient diagnoses: CVA with TPA, AAA, MI (diagnostic cath lab only), Hypertension, Overdose, Alcohol detox, Precedex detox, Whipple’s procedure, GI bleed, External temporary pacers, A-fib with RVR, Septic shock
• Patient population includes high acuity homeless, substance abuse, and mental health patients
• Nurses must be able to read and interpret cardiac monitor strips (Phillips IntelliVue monitors in all rooms)
• Ventilator support: Avea vents (RT-based in ICU), IMCU uses BiPAP
• Drip medications: All drips are titrated by nurses
• Respiratory Therapy (RT) available 24/7, including EKGs and ABGs (nurses may also draw ABGs)
• IV team available 7am–8:30pm; nurse resource available 24/7 for IV assistance during nights
• Pharmacy available on unit during daytime hours
• Hospitalist coverage 24/7

Work Schedule & Orientation

• Shift: Nights, 12-hour shifts starting at 7:00 pm
• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend
• Holiday requirement: Every other holiday
• Floating: May float to telemetry or IMCU with a 1:5 ratio
• Orientation: 2 shifts of floor-specific orientation

Required Certifications & Experience

• Current BLS and ACLS certifications required
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification required
• Epic EMR experience required (unit recently converted to Epic)
• Prior travel nursing experience required
• Must be able to start on designated orientation dates
• No return to origin (RTO) within first two weeks of start date; minimal RTO overall
• Must not hold another job while on this assignment

Additional Requirements & Notes

• Charge nurse duties expected but try to avoid patient assignments when possible
• Nurse aides available at a ratio of 1:8
• Scrub color: Caribbean blue top layer required; black or Caribbean blue pants allowed; black or white shirts may be worn under uniform
• Must be a strong team player with flexibility, empathy, strong customer service skills, and compassion
• Experience working with difficult, high acuity patients including those with mental health and substance abuse issues is important
• Smart room technology and ceiling lifts are used on the unit

Shift Details

• Hours per day: 12
• Hours per week: 48
• Shift: Nights