PCU Stepdown Registered Nurse
Winston Salem, North Carolina
Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (PCU) - Travel/Contract

Location: Winston Salem, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

• Position in a PCU/Stepdown unit functioning similarly to an ICU.
• Strong experience with vasoactive drips and arterial lines required.
• Floating to sister ICCU unit as needed.
• Every other weekend work required.
• 12-hour night shifts available (36 or 48 hours offered).
• No block scheduling allowed.
• RTO (Return to Office) after booking is not allowed and cannot be worked out onsite. Maximum 7 days RTO allowed for auto offers.

Required Experience

• Minimum 2 years of Registered Nurse experience.
• Accepts first-time travelers (prior travel experience NOT required).

Required Skills & Certifications

• Experience with:

  • Arterial lines and titrating vasoactive drips
  • PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown, Telemetry
  • Interpretation and management of dysrhythmias
  • Use of Rapid Response Teams
  • IV insulin protocols
  • Blood product administration
  • Central line, peripheral line, and PICC line care/management
  • Heparin protocols
  • Care for patients with CVA, chest tubes (Emerson/Pleur-evac), external CPAP/BIPAP, high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), nasal cannula, non-invasive airway management, tracheostomy management, and isolation precautions
• Certifications required:

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support)
  • NIH Stroke Certification
• Additional required skills:

  • IV start
  • Telemetry monitoring
  • Conscious sedation

Patient Population & Unit Details

• Patient age range: adolescent, adult, geriatric
• Unit type: ICU stepdown with 20 beds, average daily census 18
• Patient diagnoses include: post rapid response patients, respiratory distress, unstable hemodynamics, withdrawal, GI bleeds, post-op GYN, GU, GI, thoracotomies, neuro, ortho surgeries, and pre/post OB with complications (Pitocin)
• Only one pressor drip per patient allowed on unit; more than one requires transfer to ICU
• Common drips: Cardizem, Nitro, Precedex, Cardene, Levophed, Dopamine, Dobutamine, Neo

Equipment & Systems

• Bedside telemetry monitors with remote backup
• Use of Pyxis medication system and Epic electronic health record
• No ventilators on unit

Scheduling & Work Environment

• Schedule created by Nurse Manager (NM)
• No block scheduling allowed
• Floating to sister ICCU unit as needed
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend
• 12-hour night shifts (36 or 48 hours offered)

Orientation & Testing

• Hospital orientation required during week one; attendance at daily classes mandatory
• Must pass EKG/Dysrhythmia competency testing prior to start (score of 82% or higher required, with remediation process if needed)

Background & Compliance Requirements

• Criminal background checks within 90 days of start, including local, federal, national, sex offender, and education verification
• Drug screening within 30 days of start (10-panel, negative result required)
• Physical exam within 1 year of start (30 days if past positive TB)
• Fit mask testing required (N95 or PAPR training acceptable)
• Immunizations and titers required: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (with facility-specific declination if applicable)
• Flu vaccine or approved exemption required during flu season (9/1 - 10/31)
• TB testing within 1 year of start (PPD, Qgold, or Tspot) with follow-up chest x-ray if positive
• Completion of facility-specific orientation modules and confidentiality agreements required

Additional Notes

• Scrubs colors allowed: Navy, White, or combination
• Floating to ICCU unit required as needed
• No block scheduling allowed
• RTO after booking is not allowed and may result in cancellation if violated

This position is ideal for Registered Nurses with at least 2 years of acute care experience, strong telemetry and ICU stepdown skills, and comfort managing complex patients with vasoactive drips and advanced monitoring. First-time travel nurses are welcome to apply.