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

Registered Nurse – Adult Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Location: Peoria, Illinois
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights (12-hour shifts, 7p-7a)
Hours per Week: 36

Unit Details

• 20 private, monitored beds
• Patient ratios vary by acuity: 1:1, 1:2, or 2:1
• Patient population includes post open heart surgery (CABG, valve procedures), dissections, AAA, vascular procedures, carotids, STEMI, unstable angina/N-STEMI, cardiogenic shock, cardiomyopathy, targeted temperature management, pacing (transcutaneous and transvenous), severe heart failure, TAVRs, ventilated patients, and overflow from other ICUs including COVID patients
• Upcoming patient types: post VAD placement and post heart transplant
• Specialty intervention equipment: IABPs, Impellas, Swan-Ganz catheters, ECMO, external pacemakers, CRRT
• Common lines: PICC, midlines, central venous catheters (CVC), Swan-Ganz, arterial lines (radial and femoral)
• Ventilator support includes ventilators, CPAP, BiPAP, heated high flow, and nitric oxide

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of solid Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU) experience; more experience preferred
• BLS required; ACLS preferred; CCRN certification is a plus
• Ability to work independently with complex CVICU patients and equipment from day one (no training provided)
• Strong skills in strip interpretation, critical thinking, assessment, communication, teamwork, and time management
• Ability to follow protocols and orders precisely in a fast-paced, high-stress environment
• Compassionate and positive attitude required
• RNs are required to titrate multiple drips including dopamine, dobutamine, levophed, epinephrine, norepinephrine, vasopressin, cleviprex, propofol, fentanyl, versed, insulin, heparin, esmolol, among others (some drips titrated per protocol or order)

Team and Support

• Charge nurses and house supervisors available 24/7; charge nurses sometimes take patient assignments
• Patient care technicians (PCTs) present with ratios typically 1:12-1:15, variable by staffing
• Cardiovascular and critical care advanced practice providers (APNs/PAs) usually on site; physicians on call
• Respiratory therapists available 24/7

Monitoring and Equipment

• Philips monitoring system used; RNs expected to read and interpret cardiac strips
• Monitor technicians available
• RNs assist with troubleshooting respiratory equipment

Scheduling and Work Environment

• 12-hour shifts (7a-7p or 7p-7a); this position is nights
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend (Friday/Saturday nights for night shift)
• Holiday requirement: every other holiday
• Floating required to all levels of care; travelers expected to take full patient teams
• No self-scheduling or block scheduling for travelers
• Dress code: no specific scrub color required; scrubs must be clean and professional (not provided)

Additional Notes

• Proficiency in all cardiovascular ICU components expected, except immediate post-op care (a bonus if experienced)
• Frequent use of temporary pacemakers and multiple advanced cardiac support devices
• Patients often have multiple complex interventions simultaneously, including ventilator support and multiple drips

This role is ideal for experienced CVICU nurses comfortable with high-acuity cardiac patients and advanced ICU technology in a fast-paced environment.