First Connect Health is seeking a travel nurse RN ICU - Intensive Care Unit for a travel nursing job in Carmichael, California.
Job Description & Requirements
- Specialty: ICU - Intensive Care Unit
- Discipline: RN
- Start Date: 10/13/2026
- Duration: 14 weeks
- 36 hours per week
- Shift: 12 hours, nights
- Employment Type: Travel
RN – Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
Location: Sacramento, CA
Department: St. John’s Surgical ICU (SICU)
Trauma Level: II
EMR: Cerner
Shift: 12-Hour Shifts
Shift Start: 6:45 AM / PM
Schedule: Self-Scheduling | Every Other Weekend
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) to join the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at a Level II Trauma facility. This 10-bed ICU provides care for critically ill and postoperative surgical patients, with a strong focus on complex vascular, thoracic, and abdominal surgical cases.
The ideal candidate will have strong critical care experience and a solid background caring for complex surgical patients, including vascular procedures, thoracic surgeries, open abdominal procedures, and postoperative recoveries.
Unit Details
- Unit: Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
- Beds: 10
- Patient Ratio: 1:1–2
- Patient Population: Critically ill and postoperative surgical patients
- Common Cases:
- Femoral-popliteal (Fem-Pop) procedures
- CEA (Carotid Endarterectomy)
- EVAR
- Vascular surgeries
- VATS
- Thoracic surgeries
- Laparotomies / open abdominal surgeries
- Postoperative recoveries
- CRRT
- ECMO
- Frequent line placements
Clinical Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive critical care to complex surgical and postoperative patients.
- Monitor and manage patients requiring advanced ICU interventions.
- Interpret and respond appropriately to cardiac rhythms and EKG strips.
- Manage mechanical ventilation and other critical care therapies.
- Care for patients receiving CRRT and ECMO.
- Assist with and manage patients following major vascular, thoracic, and abdominal surgeries.
- Collaborate closely with intensivists, hospitalists, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, and the multidisciplinary care team.
- Maintain a high standard of patient safety, clinical judgment, and critical thinking.
Required Certifications
Schedule & Staffing
- 12-hour shifts
- Shift starts at 6:45
- Bedside report
- Every other weekend requirement
- Holidays rotate with core staff
- Overtime and additional shifts available
- Self-scheduling is utilized; final schedules are subject to manager approval and staffing balance.
- Schedules are released approximately 4 weeks in advance.
- Travelers may access schedules remotely, indicate availability for extra shifts, and trade shifts with other staff.
- Block scheduling is generally not available.
Unit Environment
- Charge Nurse: Yes; generally does not take a patient assignment but provides break relief.
- Nurse Aides: Available as Safety Attendants/Sitters.
- Telemetry: Yes; strong EKG interpretation skills required.
- Ventilators: Yes.
- Hospitalist/Intensivist: In-house.
- Respiratory Therapy: 24/7
- Pharmacy: 24/7
- IV Team: Not available.
- Scrubs: Navy. Undershirts must be navy, white, or black. Optional scrub jackets must be navy.
- Orientation: 1–2 days of floor-specific orientation with a preceptor.
Floating
Travelers may be required to float to other Sacramento-area facilities associated with the assignment. Mid-shift floating to another facility is uncommon but may occur based on operational needs.
Candidate Requirements
- Strong ICU/SICU experience with surgical patient populations is required.
- Experience with vascular, thoracic, and major abdominal surgical patients is highly preferred.
- Candidates should be comfortable managing high-acuity postoperative patients and advanced ICU therapies.
- Strong cardiac rhythm/EKG interpretation skills required.
Submission & Compliance Requirements
- Two supervisory references are required at submission:
- One reference from within the past 12 months
- One reference from within the past 3 years
- Charge Nurse references are acceptable.
- A copy of the candidate's Driver's License (DL) is required at submission to validate legal name.
- Pulse must reflect the candidate's name exactly as shown on a government-issued ID; no middle initial or middle name should be entered.
- Candidates may not have been directly employed FT, PT, or PRN by any facility associated with CommonSpirit, including CHI and/or Dignity, within the past year.
- Candidates previously employed PRN through an outside staffing firm may be considered.
- Travelers are expected to work 2 of the 3 major holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.
- Holiday time-off requests may be considered but are not guaranteed.
Dysrhythmia Exam Requirement
Prior to signing the contract, the candidate must complete the UNA Dysrhythmia Exam:
- Must be completed within 24–48 hours.
- Two attempts are permitted.
- Test A must be assigned first.
- Test B is assigned only for a retake.
- A screenshot showing the number of attempts must be submitted along with the exam results.
- Failure on the second attempt results in DNU status for CommonSpirit Arizona and Sacramento facilities.
Akshay #1185533
Akshay #1185533
About First Connect Health
At First Connect Health, we take pride in being a Joint Commission–certified healthcare staffing agency, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. This prestigious certification is more than just a seal — it's a reflection of our commitment to excellence, safety, and quality in everything we do.
By meeting the rigorous standards set by The Joint Commission, one of the most respected accrediting bodies in healthcare, we've demonstrated that our processes, compliance, and patient care standards are aligned with the highest levels of quality in the industry.
But our dedication goes beyond certifications. Nurses choose First Connect Health because:
- ✅ Trust and Transparency: We foster honest communication, timely updates, and full transparency throughout your placement journey.
- ✅ Best Pay & Benefits: We offer industry-leading compensation packages, along with benefits that support your career goals.
- ✅ Flexibility & Choice: Whether you're seeking short-term assignments, long-term contracts, or local opportunities, we provide the flexibility to suit your preferences.
- ✅ Personalized Support: Our recruiters take the time to understand your needs, guiding you with care, respect, and responsiveness at every step.
When you work with First Connect Health, you're not just another number — you're a valued professional. Join a team that’s focused on your success, your well-being, and your future in healthcare.
Benefits
- Sick pay
- 401k retirement plan
- Weekly pay
- Referral bonus