PCU / Stepdown

Registered Nurse – Progressive Care Unit

Location: Lexington, KY

Shift: 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM, three 12-hour shifts per week

Duration: 13 weeks

Start Date: November 16, 2026

About the Role

The facility's Progressive Care Unit (PCU) serves moderate-acuity patients who require closer monitoring than general medical-surgical units but do not need full ICU-level care. You'll care for patients transitioning from ICU, those at risk of clinical deterioration, and those requiring telemetry monitoring and intensive vital sign management.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments and develop individualized care plans using the nursing process
• Monitor cardiac rhythms and vital signs continuously; recognize and respond promptly to changes in patient condition
• Administer medications, including select IV drips, per physician orders
• Manage a moderate patient load (typically 3–4 patients) while prioritizing based on acuity
• Collaborate with physicians, intensivists, and interdisciplinary teams on care coordination
• Respond to rapid response and code interventions as needed
• Provide patient and family education on condition, treatment, and recovery
• Document assessments, interventions, and outcomes accurately
• Support infection control and fall prevention initiatives

Required Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted RN license (or compact license as applicable)
• ADN/ASN minimum; BSN preferred
• BLS and ACLS certifications required
• 1+ year of PCU or step-down unit experience
• Experience with telemetry monitoring and moderate-acuity patient management

Preferred Qualifications

• PCCN (Progressive Care Certified Nurse) certification
• Neurology or stroke unit experience

Weekends and holidays are required as part of the schedule rotation.