ICU

ICU Travel Nurse — Merced, CA

13-Week Contract | 12-Hour Nights | Start Date: October 26, 2026

Patient Population & Clinical Scope

Common diagnoses include sepsis, DKA/hyperglycemia, COPD exacerbations, GI bleeds, CVA, and post-surgical ICU recovery. Nurses must be comfortable managing vasopressors (norepinephrine), sedation drips (Versed, Propofol), parenteral nutrition, vents, and the ABCDE bundle. Nurses are responsible for reading and interpreting their own telemetry strips.

Shift & Schedule

• 12-hour nights (7:00 PM – 7:00 AM)
• 2 weekends per 4-week period
• Holidays per unit needs
• Guaranteed 36 hours per week

Float Requirements

Travelers are first to float and may be assigned to telemetry or med/surg floors, taking a full patient load of 4–5 patients. Float orientation includes 2 ICU shifts and 1 shift on the floor. Nurses may also be deployed to the ED to care for boarded ICU patients. Standby response time is 30 minutes.

Required Certifications

BLS, ACLS, NIHSS — CCRN and basic critical care course preferred

Additional Details

• Strong IV skills required
• Scrub color: Navy
• No block scheduling; travel assignment must take scheduling priority
• Cancellation policy: up to 4 shifts per 13-week contract

Location

Located in California's Central Valley, the area offers affordable housing, proximity to Yosemite (1–2 hours), nearby lakes, and easy access to San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, and Modesto.