Job Title: Registered Nurse
Profession: RN (Registered Nurse)
Specialty: Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Duration: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights
Hours per Shift: 12
Experience: Minimum of 1 year in ICU
License: Active state license
Certifications: BLS, ACLS
Must-Have: Experience in Level I trauma and ICU
Description:
The unit typically has a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2, with the possibility of 1:1 or 1:3 depending on patient needs.
Common patient diagnoses include post-surgical cases, open abdomens, multi-system trauma, and endovascular issues.
Registered nurses are required to titrate drips, including pressors, sedation, paralytics, and insulin.
There is a charge nurse and house supervisor present on each shift, with the charge nurse taking an assignment as staffing allows.
Patient care technicians are available on the unit, with a ratio of 1:10.
Intensivists are in-house 24/7, providing continuous coverage, along with telemedicine support and an attending on call.
Respiratory therapy is available in the ICU 24/7.
Monitor technicians are present, although nurses are responsible for reading and interpreting telemetry strips.
Shifts are scheduled from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM.
Weekend shift requirements include six weekend shifts within a six-week period.
Holiday requirements involve working every other holiday.
Traveling nurses may be required to float to lower levels of care, where they will take a full team of patients.
There is no specific dress code for scrubs.
Unit-specific orientation includes training on the electronic medical record system, followed by shadowing and precepting on the unit.