PCU Registered Nurse
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Registered Nurse – PCU (Stepdown/Progressive Care Unit)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Overview

• 32-bed Stepdown/PCU unit with mixed acuity patients (medical diagnoses, pre- and post-surgical).
• Average daily census: 25–32 patients.
• Shift: Day shift, 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM (3 shifts of 12 hours each), 36 hours/week, every other weekend.
• Float within the organization required.
• Call required.
• Teaching hospital experience is welcomed.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of recent progressive care experience with similar PCU/Stepdown patient populations.
• Current Ohio RN license.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications (AHA only; instructor/provider and RQI acceptable).
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification required.
• Ability to float as needed within the organization.
• First-time travel nurses accepted (prior travel experience NOT required).

Preferred Skills

• Experience with telemetry and dysrhythmia interpretation/management.
• Participation in rapid response/code teams.
• IV therapy and blood product administration.
• Central line and PICC care.
• Heparin protocols.
• Respiratory support.
• Wound care.
• Pre- and post-surgical patient care.

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting (Ohio-specific code 3701.881).
• Education verification from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA).
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug test within 3 months of start (amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, methadone, methaqualone, opiates, PCP, propoxyphene).
• 2 professional references required; at least one must be from a manager or formal leadership.
• Employment application and skills checklist required.
• Annual acknowledgment of dress code and hand hygiene policies.
• Fraud, waste, and abuse training certificate required prior to start and updated annually.
• Annual orientation safety manual acknowledgment.

Health and Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Fit mask test (N95 or equivalent) required annually for inpatient/patient-facing roles; onsite fit testing available if needed.
• Immunizations or titers required:

  • Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12).
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 MMR vaccines or positive titers).
  • Varicella (2 vaccines or positive titer; medical exemptions require documentation).
  • Hepatitis B (titer or 3-vaccine series; declination acceptable).
• Negative TB test (PPD, QGold, or TSPOT) within 1 year or chest x-ray if positive; annual TB questionnaire required.
• Seasonal flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1–3/31); decliners must wear a mask.
• COVID-19 vaccination not required but strongly recommended.

Competency and Certification Exams

• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam required prior to start.
• Unit-specific competency exam required.
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 1 year of start and updated annually (minimum passing score 76%).
• License verification and NURSYS verification required within 30 days of start.

Additional Details

• One pre-approved time-off request allowed per contract.
• Scrub color and details provided at orientation.
• Parking options available (details provided at orientation; not included here).

This position offers an opportunity to work in a dynamic PCU environment with a diverse patient population, requiring strong clinical skills in progressive care nursing and flexibility to float within the organization. First-time travel nurses are welcome to apply.