CVICU Registered Nurse
Peoria, Illinois
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

Registered Nurse – Adult Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Location: Peoria, Illinois
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights (12-hour shifts, 7p-7a)
Hours per Week: 36 hours

Unit Overview

• 20 private, monitored beds
• Patient ratios vary by acuity: 1:1, 1:2, or 2:1
• Patient population includes post open heart surgery (CABG, valve procedures), dissections, vascular surgeries, STEMI, unstable angina/N-STEMI, cardiogenic shock, cardiomyopathy, targeted temperature management, pacing (transcutaneous and transvenous), severe heart failure, TAVRs, ventilated patients, and overflow ICU patients including COVID cases
• Upcoming patient types: post VAD placement and post heart transplant
• Specialty equipment used: IABPs, Impellas, Swan-Ganz catheters, ECMO, external pacemakers, CRRT
• Common lines: PICC, midlines, central venous catheters (CVC), Swan-Ganz, arterial lines (radial and femoral)

Required Qualifications

• Active RN license
• Minimum 2 years of solid Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU) experience required; more experience preferred
• BLS required; ACLS preferred; CCRN certification is a plus
• Ability to work independently with complex CVICU patients and equipment from day one (no training provided)
• Strong skills in strip interpretation, critical thinking, assessment, communication, teamwork, and time management
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment with compassion and professionalism
• RNs are required to titrate multiple drips including dopamine, dobutamine, levophed, epinephrine, norepinephrine, vasopressin, cleviprex, propofol, fentanyl, versed, insulin, heparin, esmolol, among others

Team and Support

• Charge nurses and house supervisors available 24/7; charge nurses sometimes take patient assignments
• Patient care technicians (PCTs) present with ratios typically 1:12-1:15, varying by staffing
• Cardiovascular and critical care advanced practice providers (APNs/PAs) usually on site; physicians on call
• Respiratory therapists available 24/7
• Telemetry monitoring with Philips systems; RNs expected to read and interpret cardiac strips; monitor techs also present

Equipment and Procedures

• Ventilators, CPAP, BiPAP, heated high flow oxygen, and nitric oxide used regularly
• Frequent use of temporary pacemakers and multiple advanced cardiovascular support devices
• Daily use of Swan-Ganz catheters, CVCs, and arterial lines

Scheduling and Work Environment

• 12-hour night shifts (7p-7a)
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend (Friday-Saturday for nights)
• Holiday shifts required every other holiday
• Floating required to all levels of care; travelers expected to take full patient care teams
• No self-scheduling or block scheduling for travelers
• Dress code: no specific scrub color required; scrubs must be clean and professional (not provided)

Additional Notes

• Proficiency in all cardiovascular ICU components is essential, except immediate post-op care (which is a bonus)
• High acuity patient care with multiple complex interventions often required simultaneously on one or two patients

Prior travel experience: Not explicitly required or stated.