Cardiac ICU Registered Nurse
Asheville, North Carolina
Mission Hospital - Memorial Campus

Travel RN - CVICU/CVRU

Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Unit: CVICU/CVRU, 3rd Floor, Heart Tower

Unit Overview

• 19-bed mixed CVICU/CVRU unit
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:2 or 1:1 depending on acuity; holdover downgraded patients may be 1:3
• Highly trained CVICU/CVRU charge nurses available for support
• Orientation provided by unit educator
• Staffing: 13 day shift RNs, 11 night shift RNs, plus nurse’s aide on all shifts
• Approximately 850 heart surgeries performed annually
• Core nurses trained in critical care, heart care, recovery, and device management
• ECMO team available; regular use of Impellas, IABP, and LVADs
• Equipment: GE monitors, Cerner EMR

Required Qualifications

• Current BLS and ACLS certifications
• Critical Care training
• Minimum 2 years experience in CVICU or CVRU (highest required years of experience)
• Passion for surgical heart care
• High energy, upbeat personality

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in Critical Care, Cardiac Surgery, or Recovery Room care

Typical Procedures Performed

• IABP (Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump) management
• Impella device care
• Hemodynamic monitoring
• Frequent patient ambulation
• Chest tube removal
• Pacer wire removal
• LVAD care (supported by team)
• Intubation and extubation

Personality Fit

• High energy, friendly nurse
• Lifelong learner with critical care, cardiac, or recovery skills

Certifications Required

• ACLS

Floating Assignments

• All ICUs and Stepdown units
• Other units as needed

Work Schedule & Policies

• Shift start time: Arrive no earlier than 7 minutes before or after 0645
• Overtime requires approval
• Safety-first approach: new tasks require guidance from a second nurse (CNC)
• Weekend schedule: every other weekend on call
• Extra days off included in contract

Contract Length

• 13 weeks

Prior Travel Experience

• Not specified (assumed not required)