Medical ICU RN
Council Bluffs, Iowa
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs

ICU Registered Nurse (RN) - Night Shift

Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Details

• Unit: Medical ICU (16 beds)
• Shift: Nights (18:30 - 07:00)
• Hours: 12-hour shifts, 36 hours per week
• Weekend Requirement: Every third weekend
• Holiday Requirement: July 4th
• Scheduling: No self-scheduling or guaranteed block scheduling; traveler needed for high-need shifts
• Floating: May float to PCU and Med/Surg units; training provided
• Dress Code: Navy blue scrubs

Patient Care & Environment

• Nurse-to-patient ratio typically 1:2, occasionally 1:3
• No nurse aides or patient care techs on the unit
• Hospitalist coverage 24/7 in-house
• Intensivist coverage in-house during day; telemedicine support at night
• Respiratory Therapist shared with ER; RT handles vent adjustments
• Centralized telemonitor techs offsite; nurses must read and verify cardiac monitor strips (Draeger monitors)
• Common patient diagnoses: sepsis, respiratory failure, stroke, MI, DKA, STEMI, A-fib RVR, COVID, COPD exacerbations, PE
• ICU experience required with skills in drips, ventilators, BiPAPs
• RNs responsible for titrating drips including vasopressors and sedation (e.g., levophed, neosynephrine, cardene, precedex, propofol)
• Charge nurse present each shift and takes patient assignments

Required Qualifications

• Licensure: Valid RN license for Iowa
• Certifications: BLS, ACLS, NIHSS required; PALS and TNCC preferred
• Minimum 2 years ICU nursing experience preferred
• Prior travel experience preferred but not mandatory
• Must pass a skills exam during orientation with a minimum score of 90% (open book, resources provided) or face termination
• Valid driver’s license required at submission to verify candidate is outside a 50-mile radius
• Must comply with fingernail policy: artificial nails prohibited in all patient care areas; refusal to comply results in contract termination

Additional Notes

• Candidates may not be currently or recently employed (full-time, part-time, or PRN) within 50 miles at any facility affiliated with certain large healthcare systems
• Orientation includes 1 shift ICU-specific and 1 shift PCU-specific training
• No call or standby requirements

This position is ideal for experienced ICU RNs comfortable with critical care drips, ventilator management, and working night shifts in a fast-paced ICU environment.