Registered Nurse Cardiac PCU

The Registered Nurse in the Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (PCU) provides specialized nursing care to patients with cardiac conditions including myocardial infarction, open-heart surgery, vascular surgery, and stroke with cardiac involvement. The role demands expertise in telemetry, advanced cardiac life support, and management of complex cardiac devices and procedures. The nurse collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality patient care, ensuring safety and adherence to protocols in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities:

• Perform patient assessments and telemetry monitoring for cardiac patients including those post open-heart surgery and vascular procedures.
• Manage care for patients with myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, heart failure, and coronary artery disease.
• Administer medications, blood products, and treatments such as breathing treatments, chest tube care, CPAP/BiPAP, and tracheostomy care.
• Manage specialized cardiac devices including LVADs, epicardial pacers, and provide care for patients with structural heart supports like VAD and TAVR.
• Perform cardioversion, defibrillation, and dysrhythmia interpretation and management.
• Maintain sternal precautions and post-operative care for cardiac surgery patients.
• Document patient care activities accurately using Epic electronic medical records system.
• Float to like units as required and work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team.
• Adhere to nurse-to-patient ratio standards, typically 1:4, with possible adjustment to 1:5 during night shifts.

• Active Registered Nurse license with at least 2-3 years telemetry experience.
• Experience in surgical telemetry, open heart surgery, vascular care including radial band management.
• Certifications: ACLS, BLS, NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS).
• Proficiency with Epic electronic health record system.
• Strong IV skills and experience with cardiac monitoring and interventions.

• Experience with VAD (Ventricular Assist Devices) and TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) care.
• Knowledge of chest tube setup and care.
• Experience in managing stroke patients with cardiac involvement.

• Floating to similar units is required; flexibility is essential.
• Every other weekend work is mandatory.
• Strict nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:4, with possible 1:5 ratio during midnight shifts.
• Travel contract eligibility requires a minimum 3-month separation from other Providence facilities (non-Swedish).
• All Swedish facilities honor active compact nursing licenses.

• Shift assignments include day and night shifts, with floating to like units as needed.
• Weekend shifts are scheduled every other weekend.
• Shift hours typically range from 24 to 28 hours post-operative coverage for open heart patients.