American Traveler is seeking a travel nurse RN PCU - Progressive Care Unit for a travel nursing job in Des Moines, Iowa.
Job Description & Requirements
- Specialty: PCU - Progressive Care Unit
- Discipline: RN
- Start Date: 10/12/2026
- Duration: 13 weeks
- 48 hours per week
- Shift: 12 hours, nights
- Employment Type: Travel
Assignment Overview
- Shift: Nights, 4x12hrs
- Hours: 48 hrs/wk
- Start Date: Oct 12, 2026
- Length: 13 weeks
- Openings: 1
Description
American Traveler is hiring an experienced RN for a Progressive Care Unit (PCU) night shift position requiring neuro, ortho, and trauma care experience with an active IA or compact RN license.
Details
- Surgical/Neuro/Ortho PCU with 25 beds
- Patient population includes heavy neuro trauma, neurosurgery, craniectomy, and orthopedic cases
- RN to patient ratio of 1:5-6
- Night shift, 4x12s, 48 hrs/week (36 hrs/week option available)
- Weekend rotation required (every other weekend for 48-hr schedules or every third weekend for 36-hr schedules)
- No on-call requirements
- Required to float across UnityPoint Health campuses including Iowa Methodist MC, Iowa Lutheran, and Iowa Methodist West
- Uses Epic EMR
- Utilizes telemetry, left equipment, chest tubes, and Airvo equipment
Requirements
- Active IA or compact/multistate RN license required
- BLS and ACLS certification (AHA or ARC) required
- NIHSS certification preferred, may be obtained during onboarding
- De-escalation certification (CPI, MOAB, MAB, or SAMA) preferred
- Minimum 24 months of Medical Surgical, IMCU, Stepdown, or Progressive Care experience in a hospital setting required
- Neurology/neurosurgery care experience required
- Orthopedic care experience required
- Trauma care experience highly preferred, Trauma Level I experience highly preferred
- Epic EMR experience required
- EKG/strip reading and telemetry experience required
- Experience with Heparin, PCA, and 3% Sodium/Na drips required
- Must have completed at least one prior travel assignment (no first-time travelers)
- Driver's license required for consideration
- Professional reference from a supervisor, charge nurse, manager, director, CNO, or COO within the past 24 months preferred
Additional Information
- Provide nursing care to a high-acuity neuro, neurosurgery, and orthopedic trauma patient population
- Navy blue scrubs required
- Holiday rotation required, including 1-2 of 3 Summer holidays (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day) unless the unit is closed
- Candidates must reside at least 50 miles from the facility
- Prior UnityPoint Health FTE or PRN float pool employees are restricted from accepting travel assignments at other UnityPoint markets within 12 months of separation
American Traveler Job ID #P-755395. Pay package is based on 12 hour shifts and 48.0 hours per week (subject to confirmation) with tax-free stipend amount to be determined. Posted job title: Travel RN - Telemetry - Progressive Care Unit
About American Traveler
With over 25 years of experience, American Traveler has established a reputation for outstanding customer service. Our team ensures a smooth, worry-free experience for those starting on or expanding their travel nursing and allied careers.
With thousands of travel nursing and allied jobs nationwide, our attentive and approachable recruiters find positions that align perfectly with your career aspirations and personal requirements.
American Traveler offers exceptional benefits, including premium medical, dental, vision and life insurance beginning day one of your assignment, generous 401(k) match, substantial housing stipends, and more. Additionally, with 24/7 support and access to our in-house clinicians, you are assured confidence and comfort throughout your assignment.
With our team behind you, you can relax and enjoy a rewarding travel career.