RN Cardiac Progressive Care Unit

Job Summary:

The Registered Nurse in the Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (PCU) provides specialized nursing care to patients with cardiac conditions including post-open heart surgery, vascular surgery, myocardial infarction, and stroke with cardiac involvement. This role requires expertise in telemetry, cardiac monitoring, and advanced cardiac care interventions. The nurse collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to deliver high-quality patient care, manage complex treatment plans, and ensure patient safety in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities:

• Provide skilled nursing care to cardiac PCU patients including those with myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and post-cardiac surgery.
• Perform telemetry monitoring and interpret dysrhythmias for timely intervention.
• Manage vascular access including radial band and groin site care.
• Administer medications, blood products, and perform treatments such as breathing treatments, chest tube care, CPAP/BiPAP, and tracheostomy care.
• Provide care for patients with specialized structural heart supports such as LVAD and TAVR devices.
• Perform cardioversion, defibrillation, and epicardial pacer management as needed.
• Utilize Epic electronic health records for documentation and patient care management.
• Float to like units as required and work collaboratively with the healthcare team.

Required Skills & Certifications:

• Minimum 2-3 years telemetry nursing experience, including surgical telemetry, open heart surgery, and vascular care.
• Active Registered Nurse license with eligibility for compact license.
• Current ACLS and BLS certifications.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.
• Proficiency in Epic electronic health record system (mandatory).
• Strong IV skills and experience managing cardiac patients with chest tubes and sternal precautions.
• Ability to manage complex cardiac interventions including LVAD, TAVR, and post-op cardiac care.

Preferred Skills & Certifications:

• Experience with VAD (Ventricular Assist Devices) and TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) patients.
• Experience with stroke patients who have cardiac involvement.
• Experience with telemetry interpretation and management in a progressive care setting.

Special Considerations:

• Floating to similar units is required; flexibility to float is essential.
• Every other weekend work is mandatory.
• Patient-to-nurse ratio is generally 1:4, possibly 1:5 during midnight shifts.
• Travel nurses must have at least 2 years of telemetry experience and cannot be first-time travelers on this unit.

Scheduling:

• Shift assignments include day and night shifts based on unit needs.
• Schedule includes every other weekend coverage.
• Floating assignments to like units are part of the schedule requirements.