RN - PCU

Float Pool Nurse

This Float Pool position encompasses a range of duties and responsibilities, supporting various departments within the hospital, including PCU, Telemetry, Medical-Surgical, and Emergency Department Holding. Travel may be required to nearby facilities to ensure comprehensive patient care.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 1 year clinical experience required.
• First-time travelers are welcome, provided they have strong experience in PCU/Telemetry settings and prior float pool experience.

Patient Types and Common Diagnoses

The primary focus will be on the Emergency Department Holding unit, though floating to the inpatient PCU area may occur. Common patient conditions include:

• Neuro, Trauma, Surgical, Medical patients
• Respiratory compromise, Sepsis, Renal failure, Bleeding disorders
• General medical and surgical cases, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pneumonia
• Postoperative care, including CABG/TAVR recoveries, STEMI cases, and cardiac monitoring

Patient Ratios

• PCU: 1:4
• Medical-Surgical: 1:5-6

Required Licenses and Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Skills Required

• IV medication titration and administration
• Cardiac rhythm interpretation
• Bipap management and ventilator care
• Management of general drains, chest tubes, and tracheostomies
• Experience with TR Bands preferred
• Familiarity with electronic medical records, specifically EPIC

Support Within the Department

• Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) available for support
• Charge RN without patient assignment
• Hospitalists and Respiratory Therapists available 24/7
• Specialty physicians on-call at all times

Technology and Equipment

• Electronic Medical Records (EMR): EPIC
• IV Pump: Alaris
• Medication dispensing: Pyxis

Floating Requirements

The position requires floating between multiple units, including PCU, Telemetry, Medical-Surgical, and Emergency Department Holding. There may be occasions to float to a nearby facility, with advance notice provided.

Orientation

• 1 day of general hospital orientation
• 1 day of unit-specific orientation in the PCU
• 1 day of light unit orientation

Scheduling

• Weekend rotation expected: every other weekend, potentially back-to-back but rare
• Holidays: Requests for Time Off (RTO) are approved up to 5 days
• Shift times: 0700-1930 or 1900-0730
• Schedules are created in 3-week cycles, shared 7-10 days prior to the start date
• No self-scheduling or guarantees of consistent scheduling patterns

Additional Notes

• Scrub colors: Any solid color, professional attire required
• Parking: Free parking is available
• Documentation of hourly rounding and bedside report necessary
• Strict medication management protocols must be followed, including verification for controlled substances
• Documentation of pain levels before and after administering pain medications is required

This is an excellent opportunity for qualified nurses looking to expand their clinical experience across various settings within the health care system.