Adult Cardiac ICU Registered Nurse
Peoria, Illinois
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

Job Opportunity: RN - Adult Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)

Location: Peoria, Illinois
Specialty: Adult Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Details

• 20 beds, all private and monitored
• Patient-to-nurse ratios vary by acuity: 1:1, 1:2, or 2:1
• Charge nurses and house supervisors available 24/7
• Patient care technicians (PCTs) present; ratios typically 1:12-1:15
• Respiratory therapists available 24/7
• Cardiovascular APNs/PAs usually on site; providers on call

Patient Population

• Post open heart surgery patients (CABG, valve repairs/replacements, dissections, AAA, vascular procedures, carotids)
• Post cardiovascular procedures including STEMI, unstable angina, unstable NSTEMI
• Cardiogenic shock, cardiomyopathy, severe heart failure
• Targeted temperature management (hypothermia)
• Transcutaneous and transvenous pacing
• Ventilated patients, including overflow from other ICUs (COVID patients included)
• Upcoming: post VAD placement and post heart transplant patients

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 2 years of solid CVICU experience (prefer more)
• Ability to work independently and quickly with complex cardiovascular ICU patients
• Proficient in interpreting cardiac monitor strips (Philips monitors)
• Strong assessment, critical thinking, communication, organization, teamwork, and time management skills
• Ability to follow protocols and orders precisely
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-stress environment
• Compassionate with a positive attitude
• Must be able to titrate multiple drips including dopamine, dobutamine, levophed, epinephrine, norepinephrine, vasopressin, cleviprex, propofol, fentanyl, versed, insulin, heparin, esmolol, etc.
• Experience with cardiovascular specialty equipment: IABPs, Impellas, Swan-Ganz catheters, ECMO, external pacemakers, CRRT
• Skilled with lines: PICC, midlines, central venous catheters (CVC), Swan-Ganz, arterial lines (radial and femoral)
• Experience managing ventilators, CPAP, BiPAP, heated high flow oxygen, and nitric oxide therapy
• Ability to float to all levels of care and take a full team

Certifications

• BLS required
• ACLS preferred
• CCRN certification a plus

Scheduling & Work Environment

• 12-hour shifts (7am-7pm or 7pm-7am)
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend (dayshift weekends Sat-Sun; nightshift weekends Fri-Sat)
• Holiday requirement: every other holiday
• No self-scheduling or block scheduling for travelers
• Dress code: appropriate, clean scrubs (no specific color required); scrubs not provided

Additional Notes

• The unit requires proficiency in all cardiovascular ICU components except immediate post-op care (which is a bonus)
• Frequent use of temporary pacemakers and multiple drips on ventilated patients
• Patients may have multiple complex interventions simultaneously

Prior travel experience: Not explicitly required or mentioned.