Stepdown (Progressive Care Unit) Registered Nurse
Council Bluffs, Iowa
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs

PCU RN Position - Council Bluffs, Iowa

Contract Length

• 13 weeks

Required Certifications

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

Orientation & Exam

• 1 twelve-hour shift orientation on the unit
• Pass/fail exam on Friday during orientation (open book, must score 90% to pass)
• Failure to pass results in termination

Unit Details

• Department: Stepdown (Progressive Care Unit)
• Number of Beds: 22
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:4
• Nurse Aids/Patient Care Techs Ratio: 1:10
• Common Patient Diagnoses: Heart failure, Atrial fibrillation, Respiratory distress, Stroke
• Nurse Responsibilities:

  • Titrate drips (Cardizem, amiodarone, nitro)
  • Read and interpret telemetry strips (no tele/monitor techs reading strips for RNs)
  • Troubleshoot CPAP equipment
• Charge Nurse: Yes, takes a full patient assignment

Scheduling

• Shifts: 0630-1900 and 1830-0700 (12-hour shifts)
• Scheduling Type: Cyclic scheduling
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Holiday Requirement: 1 major and 1 minor holiday
• Floating: May float to ICU if appropriate and experienced

Additional Information

• Fast-paced unit with frequent admissions and discharges
• Positive attitude, teamwork, and patient-centered care are essential
• Artificial nails are prohibited in all patient care areas; refusal to comply results in termination
• Driver’s license required to verify candidate is within 50 miles radius
• Candidates cannot be currently or recently employed (full-time, part-time, or PRN) with any facility associated with CommonSpirit (including CHI or Dignity) within the past year