RN - PCU

RN - PCU

● About Facility:

o 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157

o 885 licensed beds

o Level 1 Trauma Designation

o Teaching Hospital: Yes, Academic Medical Center

o Chest Pain Center

o Stroke Center

● Unit Information:

o New unit opening 2/3/2026. Will initially open as high acuity PCU and transition to ICU by end of 2026

o Beds: 10-12

o Minimum Years of Experience required? 2 years of ICU or PCU experience, CVICU preferred

▪ Starting the end of September 2026/beginning of October 2026, this experience will need to be 2 years of ICU specific experience

o Will you accept a first-time traveler? Yes

● Patient Types/Common Diagnoses:

o Heavy cardiac – CHF, cardiomyopathy, tamponade, shock, STEMI/NSTEMI, post-cath, dysrhythmias, arrhythmias, post-pacemaker/ablations, external/temporary pacers, post-CABG/open hearts, heart transplants (2-4 per month), post-vascular surgeries (AAA, fem-pops); EVARs and thoracic outlets (experience not required)

● Patient Ratios:

o Initially, will be 1:3-4. Once transitioned to ICU will be 1:2-3. Even if patients have Impella, could be 1:3 as they are typically stable waiting for transplants

● Required License, National Certification, Certs:

o BLS, ACLS, NIHSS

● Skills required:

o General nursing skills, general ICU skills, experience with above patients

o Swanz and Impella experience required

o Wound care and dressing changes a must as will see several post-surgical patients, defibrillation, EKG interpretation, post-arrest, cardioversions, manage and pull sheaths, bipap/cpap/hi-flow, chest tubes, trachs, art lines, all drips (pressors, cardiac, sedation, etc.). Will see vented patients once unit transitions to ICU

o Once unit transitions to ICU, travelers will be expected to care for fresh open hearts

o Highly preferred to have experience with LVAD and post-cardiac transplant patients, but can train here

o No ECMO. IABPS will be accepted once unit transitions to ICU

● Support within the Department:

o 1 CNA

o No unit secretary initially but will have one once transitioned to ICU

o Charge nurse – does not take patients

o Manager there in the morning, ANM there until midnight

o Phlebotomy

o PICC Team here

o Resource Nurse – charge RN for 5 Reynolds will help support this unit too

o RT 24/7

o Hospitalist 24/7

o Intensivist 24/7

o Resident physician

o Remote Tele Techs – will call RN directly for issues. Check off strips every few hours. Monitors in every room too

● Technology/Equipment:

o EMR: EPIC

o IV Pump: Alaris

o Med dispensing: Omnicell

● Floating: If yes, where?

o Could float to other units within scope of practice and below (7 Ardmore, 7 Reynolds, 5 Reynolds, Day Hospital, 5CC West will be likely units to float, but could float to other units)

o Will be put in rotation with other travelers

● Orientation (facility and unit) :

o NEO

o 2 shifts of orientation on shift hired into

● Other notes:

o Scrub Color: Royal Blue

o Parking: Free