Neuro ICU Registered Nurse
Charlotte, North Carolina
Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center

ICU Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking an experienced ICU Registered Nurse with a strong neuro critical care background to work night shifts in a comprehensive stroke center. The unit primarily cares for stroke patients and other complex neurological cases.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in North Carolina
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Minimum 2 years of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) experience, including experience within the last year
• One completed travel assignment
• ACLS issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• BLS issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification

Required Skills

• Ventilator management
• IV starts
• Management of dysrhythmias
• Blood product administration
• Central line care and management
• Continuous IV sedation
• External ventricular drains (EVD)
• Lumbar drain experience
• ICP monitoring
• CVA/Acute stroke management

Preferred Skills

• Arterial line management

Work Details

• Shift: Night shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (18:45 - 07:15)
• Hours per week: 36 hours
• Patient Ratio: Typically 2:1, may flex to 3:1 during high census
• Average Daily Census: 11-12 patients
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Float Requirement: Yes
• Call Requirement: None
• Orientation: 24 hours (2 days or 2 nights)
• Scrubs: Navy blue & white

Patient Population & Unit Details

• Comprehensive stroke center with patients including:

  • Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes (including subarachnoid hemorrhage)
  • Subdural hematomas
  • Craniotomies
  • Carotid stents and endarterectomies
  • Aneurysm coiling/clipping
  • Seizures
  • Depth electrodes
  • Myasthenia gravis
• Use of specialized equipment:

  • External ventricular drains (EVD)
  • Lumbar drains (LD)
  • Camino ICP monitoring
  • LICOX, NICOM, Arctic Sun
• Unit systems: Pyxis, EPIC, SBAR

Compliance & Testing Requirements

• Must pass EKG/Dysrhythmia competency exam within 72 hours of start (minimum 82% score required; up to 3 attempts allowed)
• Color blindness testing within 1 year required
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam required for new contracts
• Background check within 6 months required
• Drug screening (9 panel) within 6 months required
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year required; additional documentation if history of positive TB
• Required immunizations or titers: Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season
• Physical exam not required for this crisis profile
• References and skills checklist required for clearance

Documentation & Onboarding Requirements

• Photo ID (passport-style photo on white background, no head coverings except glasses) required immediately after signing contract for badge creation
• Completion of facility-specific orientation modules including medication safety and confidentiality agreement
• Completion of annual compliance and bloodborne pathogens training
• Must complete Non-Novant Health Worker Orientation (approx. 8-10 hours for acute care)
• Must complete Epic test-out option if eligible (optional)
• Must complete Corp ID setup and provide proof of I-Learn login within 24 hours of password setup to avoid start delays

Important Notes

• No Return to Origin (RTO) allowed after booking; call-offs or additional RTO may result in cancellation
• Strong neuro ICU experience is mandatory; candidates without 2 years of neuro ICU experience will not be considered
• Stroke patients represent a large portion of the patient population
• The unit can offer 36-hour work weeks and accepts 13-week contracts

This position is ideal for experienced neuro ICU RNs with prior travel assignments who are comfortable managing complex neurological patients in a high-acuity stroke center environment during night shifts.