Temporary Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit

Temporary Registered Nurse (RN) Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Vista Health is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Temporary Registered Nurse (RN) to join our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) team. The ICU RN is responsible for providing high-quality nursing care to critically ill patients while adhering to organizational, departmental, and regulatory standards. This role involves comprehensive patient assessment, care planning, implementation of treatment plans, evaluation of outcomes, patient and family education, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary healthcare team.

The ideal candidate demonstrates excellent clinical judgment, strong communication skills, a commitment to patient safety, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced critical care environment.

Essential Responsibilities

Patient Assessment & Care Planning

• Assess, monitor, and interpret patients' physical, psychological, social, and emotional status.
• Develop and implement individualized nursing care plans based on patient needs and physician orders.
• Recognize changes in patient condition and initiate appropriate interventions.
• Communicate assessment findings and care plans with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary care team.
• Coordinate and plan patient care and discharge activities.

Direct Patient Care

• Deliver safe, evidence-based nursing care to critically ill patients.
• Administer medications, IV therapies, and treatments accurately and safely.
• Utilize sterile and aseptic techniques.
• Adhere to infection prevention protocols and standard precautions.
• Respond effectively to emergency situations and changing patient conditions.
• Utilize medical equipment safely and according to established policies.
• Maintain accurate and timely patient documentation.

Evaluation & Documentation

• Evaluate patient responses to interventions and treatments.
• Reassess patient status and revise plans of care as necessary.
• Document changes in condition, interventions, and patient outcomes.

Patient & Family Education

• Assess educational needs of patients and caregivers.
• Provide and document patient education.
• Adapt teaching strategies to meet individual learning, cultural, and health literacy needs.
• Serve as a resource to patients, families, and colleagues.

Professional Development & Compliance

• Participate in departmental meetings, educational activities, and competency programs.
• Complete annual organizational and departmental education requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of nursing standards and evidence-based practices.
• Support quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
• Complete CRRT, IABP, and TTM training within six (6) months of hire or as directed by leadership.
• Demonstrate support for organizational goals, operational changes, and service excellence initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing required.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Experience

• 2+ years of ICU Registered Nurse experience

Skills & Competencies

• Strong critical thinking and clinical judgment skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to learn quickly and work effectively in a team environment.
• Telemetry training preferred.

Licensure & Certifications

• Current Illinois Registered Nurse license required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers required.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification within 90 days of hire.
• Rhythm Recognition course completed within one month of hire.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Certification within 30 days of hire.

Patient Population Served

The ICU RN provides care for:

• Adolescent patients
• Adult patients
• Geriatric patients

Physical Requirements

This position requires:

• Continuous standing
• Frequent walking, bending, squatting, lifting, carrying, and pushing
• Ability to lift and move patients and equipment safely
• Ability to respond quickly in emergency situations

Sensory Requirements

• Ability to see with or without corrective lenses.
• Ability to hear clearly with or without assistance.

Work Environment

• Daily exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
• Exposure to infectious and contagious diseases.
• Direct patient contact under a variety of circumstances.
• Ability to handle stressful and emergency situations.
• May require irregular hours, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.
• Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Scheduling Requirements

• Temporary staff may be required to work day, evening, night, weekend, or holiday shifts based on department needs.
• Weekend scheduling requirements may apply based on assigned schedule and unit staffing needs.
• Travel to other Vista Health locations or units may be required.
• On-call and call-in support may be required to meet staffing needs.

Why Join Vista Health?

At Vista Health, you'll work alongside a dedicated team focused on delivering exceptional patient care while supporting a culture of compassion, service excellence, and professional growth. This temporary opportunity provides valuable critical care experience in a collaborative environment committed to quality and patient safety.

Apply today to become part of our ICU team and make a difference in the lives of our patients and families.