PCU / Stepdown
Registered Nurse – Progressive Care Unit
Location: Lexington, KY
Shift: 3rd shift, 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM, three 12-hour shifts per week
Schedule: Weekends and holidays as needed
Contract Duration: 13 weeks
Start Date: November 30, 2026
About the Role
The facility's Progressive Care Unit (PCU) bridges the gap between medical-surgical and intensive care, serving patients who require closer monitoring and more intensive intervention than traditional floors but are stepping down from ICU-level acuity. You'll manage a moderate patient load (typically 3–4 patients) and work with individuals transitioning from intensive care or at risk of clinical deterioration.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive nursing assessments and implement evidence-based care plans
- Continuously monitor cardiac rhythms and vital signs; recognize and respond promptly to changes in patient condition
- Administer medications, including IV drips and cardiac medications, per physician orders
- Manage patients post-cardiac procedures, including post-catheterization/PCI recovery and femoral sheath care
- Collaborate with physicians, intensivists, and the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care
- Respond to rapid response and code interventions as needed
- Educate patients and families on their condition, treatment plan, and recovery
- Ensure accurate documentation of assessments, interventions, and patient response
- Support infection control and fall prevention protocols
Required Qualifications
- Active, unrestricted RN license (state or compact license)
- BLS certification required
- Minimum 1+ year of PCU or cardiac step-down experience
- ADN or ASN (BSN preferred)
- Experience with telemetry monitoring and cardiac rhythm interpretation
Preferred Qualifications
- ACLS and PCCN certifications
- 5+ years of progressive care experience
- Post-catheterization/PCI recovery experience
- Cardiac drip titration experience
- GI oncology post-op or chemotherapy experience
This is a hands-on role ideal for nurses seeking to deepen cardiac and progressive care expertise on the night shift.