Cardiac ICU Registered Nurse
Grand Island, Nebraska
CHI Health Saint Francis

Registered Nurse – Cardiac ICU

Location: Grand Island, Nebraska
Shift: Night shifts, 12-hour shifts (0630-1900, 1830-0700)
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Guaranteed Hours: 36 hours per week
Unit: Medical Surgical Cardiac ICU
Beds: 16
Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: Typically 1:2, occasionally 1:1 for higher acuity patients (e.g., TPA, balloon pump, recovery of craniotomy)
Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
Holiday Requirement: As needed
Floating: Mainly to Progressive Care Unit (PCU), may float to other hospital areas depending on skills

Patient Population & Common Diagnoses

• Young adults through geriatrics
• Sepsis, STEMI, COVID, stroke, neurosurgery
• Renal failure, respiratory failure, COPD, cancer, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Equipment & Procedures

• Use of ICPs and occasional balloon pumps (not always assigned to travelers)
• Gaymar Hypothermia, Arrow Balloon Pump, Camino Neuro monitoring, CRRT, Impella, EVDs, Lumbar drains
• Respiratory equipment: Nasal cannula to ventilators (RNs troubleshoot but do not manage advanced respiratory devices)
• RNs required to titrate drips including sedation, paralytics, pressors, antihypertensives, heparin, insulin
• RNs read and interpret telemetry/monitor strips

Orientation & Training

• Unit/department-specific orientation: 2 shifts
• Pass/fail RN exam during orientation (open book, 90% required to pass)
• eICU remote monitoring system in use
• Focus on bedside shift report and intentional hourly rounding

Required Certifications

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

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 1 year of unit experience with Cardiac ICU experience required
• Prior travel experience: Not specified (assumed not required)

Additional Information

• Artificial nails are prohibited in all patient care areas; refusal to remove will result in contract termination
• Driver’s license required at submission to verify candidate is within 50 miles radius
• Candidates may not be currently employed full time, part time, or PRN with certain affiliated health systems within the radius
• Charge nurse present on each shift and takes an assignment
• Nurse aides/patient care technicians available at a ratio of approximately 1:10
• Unit is fast-paced and culturally diverse, including patients who speak languages other than English (e.g., Hispanic and Sudanese populations)
• Ideal candidates are highly motivated, able to critically think through complex situations, willing to ask questions, seek resources, and learn new skills

Dress Code: Navy blue scrubs for RNs