Registered Nurse (RN) – Med Surg/PCU/Tele

Unit Type: Stepdown

Shift Length: 12 Hours

Guaranteed Hours: 36 hours per week

Required Experience: Minimum 2 Years

Required Certifications

• BLS (AHA)
• NIHSS

Position Overview

This role requires nursing professionals to provide high-quality care in a stepdown unit focused on neuro-trauma patients. The ideal candidate will possess strong critical care skills, especially in the management of patients with tracheostomies and ventilators.

Patient and Nurse Ratios

• Day Shift: 1 Nurse to 4-5 Patients
• Night Shift: 1 Nurse to 5-6 Patients, dependent on acuity

Common Diagnoses

The patient population typically includes individuals with:

• Neurological conditions such as strokes, seizures, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and myasthenia gravis
• Spinal injuries and thrombectomy recoveries
• Trauma orthopedic injuries, including hematomas and bleeds from falls or vehicle accidents

Essential Skills and Experience

Candidates must have:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in Medical-Surgical, Progressive Care, or Intensive Care settings.
• Recent experience within the last year is mandatory.
• Experience with medication drips is required.
• Knowledge and experience in handling tracheostomies and ventilators are preferred.
• Willingness to learn and train on ventilator management if not already proficient.

Titration and Monitoring

Nurses will be required to manage and titrate various medication drips, including but not limited to:

• Heparin
• Nitroglycerin
• Diltiazem
• Amiodarone
• Insulin

Support Staff

• Patient care aides are available, with ratios of 1:9 during the day and 1:12 during the night.
• There are no tele/monitor techs on this unit; RNs are responsible for monitoring their patients’ cardiac rhythms.

Shifts and Scheduling

The department utilizes a self-scheduling model, allowing team members to balance their work-life commitments effectively. Shift times are:

• Day Shift: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM
• Night Shift: 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM

Weekend and holiday shifts are required, typically every other weekend and 2-3 holidays during peak periods.

Floating Requirements

Registered Nurses may float to other sister units as needed, covering various specialties such as mixed care, cardiac, and oncology.

Dress Code

All staff are required to wear solid color scrubs.

Orientation

New hires will undergo a structured orientation consisting of one shift of general training followed by one shift with a preceptor.

Individuals interested in this opportunity should possess a commitment to high-quality patient care, continuous learning, and teamwork within a dynamic healthcare environment.