ICU Registered Nurse (RN)

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse (ICU RN) for a 13-week travel assignment in Carbondale, Illinois. This role is ideal for a critical care nurse who is comfortable managing a broad range of high-acuity patients in a general ICU setting. The unit is a 21-bed ICU with a typical nurse-to-patient ratio of approximately 1:2. Patients may include complex cardiac, neurological, neurosurgical, postoperative, trauma, and medical ICU cases. The successful candidate should have strong bedside critical-care skills and the ability to recognize and respond quickly to changes in patient condition. Key Responsibilities Provide direct bedside nursing care to critically ill and high-acuity patients. Perform comprehensive head-to-toe assessments and ongoing reassessments. Monitor vital signs, cardiac rhythms, neurological status, respiratory status, and hemodynamic changes. Recognize clinical deterioration and initiate appropriate interventions. Manage multiple complex patients while maintaining patient safety and quality of care. Administer medications, IV therapies, blood products, and other treatments according to provider orders and facility protocols. Monitor patients receiving high-risk and vasoactive medications as appropriate. Provide care to patients requiring advanced respiratory support. Assist with emergency procedures and rapid-response situations. Collaborate closely with intensivists, physicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and other members of the interdisciplinary team. Participate in shift handoffs, multidisciplinary rounds, and care-planning discussions. Provide education and support to patients and families. Maintain accurate and timely nursing documentation. Follow infection-control, patient-safety, and critical-care standards. Respond appropriately during code situations and other clinical emergencies. Patient Population The ICU cares for a diverse population of critically ill patients, including: Cardiac patients Neurological patients Neurosurgical patients Post-cardiovascular surgery patients Post-general surgery patients Medical ICU patients Post-trauma patients Other medically complex or unstable patients requiring intensive monitoring Required Qualifications Candidates should have: Active Registered Nurse license meeting Illinois practice requirements Current BLS certification Recent ICU / critical-care nursing experience Experience managing high-acuity hospital patients Strong cardiac and neurological assessment skills Ability to work effectively with a typical 2:1 patient assignment Strong clinical judgment and critical-thinking ability Ability to recognize and respond rapidly to changes in patient condition Strong communication and interdisciplinary teamwork skills Preferred Qualifications Strong candidates may also have: ACLS certification Previous travel nursing experience Experience in a mixed medical/surgical ICU Cardiac ICU experience Neuro ICU experience Post-cardiovascular surgery experience Trauma ICU experience Mechanical ventilation experience Vasoactive medication experience Central line and arterial line management experience Experience caring for post-operative critical-care patients Key Clinical Skills Successful candidates should be comfortable with: Critical-care nursing Continuous cardiac monitoring Neurological assessments Respiratory assessment Mechanical ventilation support High-risk medication administration IV therapy Central line care Hemodynamic monitoring Postoperative ICU care Cardiac patient management Neuro and neurosurgical patient care Trauma patient care Code response Rapid clinical assessment Patient and family education Interdisciplinary communication Schedule Requirements Night Shift 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM Three 12-hour shifts per week 36 hours per week Every other weekend is required No call requirement Schedule may vary slightly based on unit and patient-care needs. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is an experienced ICU RN who is confident caring for complex and unstable patients across multiple critical-care specialties. You should be comfortable managing a 2:1 patient assignment, making rapid clinical decisions, working collaboratively with intensivists and other healthcare professionals, and responding effectively during emergencies. This opportunity may be a strong fit for professionals currently working as: ICU RN Critical Care RN Travel ICU RN Medical ICU RN Surgical ICU RN Neuro ICU RN Cardiac ICU RN Trauma ICU RN Equal Opportunity We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants based on experience, education, licensure, certifications, clinical skills, and the requirements of the position. #J-18808-Ljbffr