Progressive Care Unit (PCU) Registered Nurse
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Must have availability for half of the winter holidays.
• Ratios: 1:4-5 patient assignments.
• Minimum 2+ years RN experience required.
• ACLS and BLS certifications required.
• First-time travelers accepted.
• Will float within skillset when not needed on home unit.
• No block scheduling.
• Local candidates accepted.

Patient Population

• Pre and post-op trauma
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Orthopedics, vascular, neurology
• Bariatric patients (post gastric bypass and sleeves)
• Intermediate Care (IMC), Telemetry, and Medical patients

Required Skills

• EPIC electronic health record system
• Wound vacs
• Respiratory care including chest tubes, BiPAP, HFNC, interpreting ABGs, tracheostomies
• Skin grafts and surgical drains
• Orthopedic trauma care
• Care for CVAs, TBIs, spinal cord injuries, pre/post neurosurgery
• Patient-controlled analgesia (PCAs)
• Cardiac drips (no titration)
• IV skills including accessing ports, central lines, PICCs
• Dysrhythmia interpretation and management
• Experience with intracranial bleeds

Required Certifications

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support): Required for all adult critical care units, ED, MS/Tele, PCU, L&D, outpatient surgery, and RN managers. Certificates expiring within a month of start require renewal confirmation.
• BLS (Basic Life Support): Required for all RNs and many tech roles. Certificates expiring within a month of start require renewal confirmation.
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program): Required for L&D, Mother-Baby, NICU, Nursery, Antepartum, and Special Care Nursery.
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support): Required for ED, outpatient surgery, PACU, PICU, and pediatric units.
• Chemotherapy Certification: Required for adult and pediatric chemo nurses as applicable.
• Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB): Required for ER, Pediatric ER, and Behavioral Health RNs. Online and in-person training required.
• NIH Stroke Certification: Required for adult critical care specialties, ED, Telemetry, MS/Tele, Cath Lab, and labor/delivery units. Must be updated annually.
• Other Certifications: Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM), Tech Cert Verification (national certifications as applicable), and others depending on unit assignment.

Required Documents and Clearances

• Background Check: Criminal background check within 30 days of start, including alias and multi-level searches. No open cases allowed.
• Drug Screen: 10-panel urine drug screen within 30 days of start.
• Health Documents:

  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray as per facility protocol.
  • Physical exam within 12 months, cleared to perform essential job functions and free of communicable disease.
  • Immunizations and titers: Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap. Positive titers or vaccination documentation required.
  • Seasonal Influenza vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required annually.
  • Respiratory medical clearance and fit testing for respirators (N95) as required.
  • Latex allergy questionnaire if applicable.
  • Color blindness testing if job tasks require color discrimination.

Competency and Testing Requirements

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam within 72 hours of signing contract.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam within 72 hours of signing contract (required for critical care, telemetry, ED, etc.).
• Pass/Fail testing for EKG and medication knowledge with remediation process if needed.
• Color blind testing within one year of start.

Additional Requirements

• Employment application or resume with 7 years of work history.
• Two professional references within the last 2 years, including at least one managerial reference.
• Skills checklist updated annually.
• Floating policy acknowledgment required for every new assignment.
• Annual education sign-off and facility-specific orientation requirements.

Patient Care Environment

• The role involves working with a diverse patient mix including trauma, neuro, ortho, bariatric, and medical patients in various care settings such as IMC, telemetry, and medical floors.
• Floating to other units within skillset may be required.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a dynamic hospital environment with a broad patient population requiring advanced nursing skills and certifications.