IMU / Stepdown RN
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling Hospital

RN (Registered Nurse)

Location

Wheeling, West Virginia

Contract Length

13 weeks

Unit

IMU - Intermediate Care Unit
30 beds (14 private, 16 semi-private)

Schedule

• Nights
• 12-hour shifts
• Start time: 7:00 AM/PM
• Must be on the unit ready to go by 6:45 AM/PM
• Self-scheduling is allowed if unit needs are met
• 4 requested days off per month

Required Qualifications

• BLS
• ACLS
• NIHSS
• Must be able to read and interpret own telemetry strips
• Must be able to titrate drips: Amiodarone, Cardizem, Dopamine, Dobutamine, Labetolol, Nitro, Heparin, and occasionally Lasix
• Must be able to float as needed to Tele or MedSurg
• Must provide an unexpired driver’s license with submission
• Licensing hits must be disclosed at time of submission

Unit Details

• Goal ratio is 1:4; typically 1:5, occasionally 1:6
• RN scrub color: navy blue top and bottom, navy scrub jackets, no hoodies
• Tele monitors: Nihon Kohden
• Nurse aides are usually 2-3 CNAs with ratios of 1:10-12
• Charge nurses take a full patient assignment on both day and night shift
• Clinical Assistant works 2 twelve-hour shifts on the floor with a patient assignment and 2 eight-hour shifts in the office

Floating

• Float scope includes Tele or MedSurg
• MedSurg ratios may be up to 1:6, possibly 1:7, though this is not common

Patient Population / Common Diagnoses

• Chest pain
• Rule out MI
• CHF
• Arrhythmias
• Post pacer
• Pre/post caths
• Overflow patients requiring intermediate care acuity
• Rarely chest tubes
• Patients on Tikosyn therapy

Clinical Support

• Hospitalist in-house 24/7
• Intensivist in ICU 24/7
• Resident in-house 24/7
• IV team in-house 24/7
• PICC/Midline team
• RT in-house 24/7
• Pharmacy in-house 24/7
• All respiratory equipment is managed by RT

Orientation

• First day: approximately 4 hours with HR, then 8 hours on the unit with a preceptor
• Second day: on the unit with a preceptor
• After that, the nurse is on their own

Weekend / Holiday Expectations

• Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are considered weekend shifts
• Nights: 4 weekend night shifts per 4-week schedule
• Days: 4 weekend day shifts per 4-week schedule
• Travelers must be flexible for holidays, though they usually do not work many because perm staff typically cover them