ICU

ICU Travel Nurse — Merced, CA | 13-Week Contract

This ICU travel assignment offers high-acuity critical care in a supportive environment with year-round extension opportunities, set in a region with easy access to California's Central Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills.

Shift & Schedule

• 12-hour days and nights (7a–7p / 7p–7a)
• 2 weekends per 4 weeks; holidays as needed
• No block scheduling or schedule accommodations for secondary employment — this assignment must be the priority

Clinical Scope

The ICU manages a varied critical care population including sepsis, DKA and hyperglycemia management, COPD exacerbations, CVA, GI bleeds, post-surgical recovery, and cardiac patients including PCI. Nurses must be comfortable with the ABCDE bundle, vasoactive drips (norepinephrine, Propofol, Versed), parenteral nutrition, and vent management. Respiratory therapy and pharmacy support are available around the clock.

Strong IV skills are required. Nurses read and interpret their own telemetry strips. An in-house hospitalist provides 24/7 coverage; pulmonology serves as intensivist coverage (not 24/7).

Float Requirement

Travelers are first to float — to telemetry and med-surg floors — and will carry a full patient load of 4–5 patients when floating.

Certifications Required

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

Additional Details

• Scrub color: Navy
• Orientation: 2 shifts in ICU, 1 shift on the floor
• Guaranteed hours: 36 per week
• BSN not required; active California RN license required at submission

Location Highlights

Affordable California living, 1–2 hours from Yosemite, and close to lakes, trails, farmers markets, and day-trip destinations throughout the Sierra Nevada foothills.