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Medical Solutions

4.7rating(350 reviews)

$2,712/week

Hourly Rate$76

Stated hours36

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Job info

Job Opportunity: CVICU Registered Nurse (RN)

Location: Santa Cruz, California
Specialty: CVICU (Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit)

Contract Length

13 weeks

Required Experience

Minimum 2+ years of CVICU nursing experience (higher value confirmed)

Licenses & Certifications

Active California RN license
BLS (Basic Life Support)
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)
CCRN and PALS preferred but not required
COVID-19 vaccination required

Job Description & Responsibilities

Work within a mixed medical-surgical unit specializing in CVICU care
Manage immediate post-operative cardiac surgery recovery patients
Common patient diagnoses include mitral, aortic, and tricuspid valve replacements, CABG, and AAA repair
Experience with IABP (Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump), CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy), and ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) preferred but not required
Candidate will be required to take a proctored CVICU exam and interview prior to offer

Unit Details

16 beds/rooms
Average daily patient load: 1 cardiac surgery patient plus 12 general med-surg ICU patients
Providers on site: 1 cardiothoracic surgeon, 1 CTS PA
EMR system: Cerner

Shift & Scheduling

12-hour shifts
Weekend requirement: every other weekend (Friday-Sunday)
Holiday work required
Call or standby required
Floating required; first to float
Orientation: 3 shifts
No Medical Assistants or CNAs on night shift (7p-7a)

Dress Code

Navy blue scrubs

Prior Travel Experience

Not specified / not required

Facility

Dominican Hospital

4.1rating(15 reviews)

3 nurses recommend working with Dominican Hospital

5.0rating

Pros

Great one on one time with patients and no more than 1 eval a day once you have your caseload. Liked my coworkers. Large clinic size with a fair amount at your disposal.

Cons

Some issues with front desk at times with management of schedule and checking folks in. Some challenging patients to work with at times.

Melody W

Physical Therapist (Therapy)

Contract Position Sep '22 - Apr '23

Review of Dominican Hospital on Jan 4, 2026

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DetailsVerification data is contributed by healthcare professionals like you, who leave reviews on Vivian.

Short Term Acute Care
211 beds

ADDRESS1555 Soquel DriveSanta Cruz, CA 95065

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About Santa Cruz, CA

As a Travel Cardiovascular ICU Nurse in Santa Cruz, CA here's what you should know:

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Santa Cruz is higher than the national average due to the desirable beach town location.
Wages may not fully match up with the higher cost of living.

Weather

Average summer highs are around 70-80°F, while winter lows can range from 40-50°F.

Furnished Housing

Short term rentals can be found, but they may be more limited and slightly more expensive due to the popular tourist destination.

Transportation

Santa Cruz is car-friendly, but public transportation options are also available, including buses and shuttles.

Demographics

Santa Cruz has a diverse population with a wide age range.
Common health issues may include allergies due to the coastal environment.
It is a popular location for travel nurses due to its healthcare facilities and proximity to natural beauty.

Things to Do

Santa Cruz offers a variety of activities including a range of restaurants, art galleries, live music venues, and outdoor sports such as surfing, hiking, biking, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

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