Intensive Care Nurse

Schedule:

• Straight NIGHTS 5:30p-6a
• Every 3rd weekend requirement
• Holiday rotation requirement

UNIT DETAILS (ICU- Appleton Hospital):

Appleton ICU is a 22 bed, fast paced, general medical/surgical/cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Each nurse cares for 1-2 patients while delivering holistic primary care nursing to both the patients and families.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide direct care to critically ill patients, including those requiring ventilatory support, hemodynamic monitoring, and other forms of life support.
• Administer medications, IV fluids, blood products, and manage complex treatment protocols.
• Perform assessments of patients’ vital signs, condition, and symptoms, reporting changes to the healthcare team.
• Monitor and maintain patients’ hemodynamic stability through proper use of invasive and non-invasive techniques.
• Assist with procedures such as central line insertions, intubation, and tracheostomy care.
• Accurately document patient care activities, including assessments, interventions, and changes in patient condition in electronic health records.
• Collaborate with physicians, respiratory therapists, and other team members to develop and implement individualized patient care plans.
• Provide patient and family education regarding treatment plans, care procedures, and progress.
• Respond to critical situations and codes (e.g., Code Blue) by performing life-saving interventions like CPR, defibrillation, and advanced airway management.
• Participate in daily rounds and contribute to the development of interdisciplinary care plans.
• Precept and support new nurses and nursing students as required.
• Maintain infection control standards and follow hospital protocols to ensure patient safety and department specific competencies.

Qualifications

• Current Wisconsin RN or compact nursing licensure
• BSN Completion: Upon hire, any non-BSN nurse with less than one (1) year of licensed Registered Nurse experience will be required to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) within five (5) years of hire.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within 6 months of hire date

Physical Demands

• Ability to move freely (standing, stooping, walking, bending, pushing and pulling) and lift up to a maximum of fifty (50) pounds without assistance
• Job classification is exposed to blood borne pathogens (blood or bodily fluids) while performing job duties
• Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to perform patient care procedures

Work Environment

• Frequent exposure to sharp objects and instruments
• Occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock
• Occasional high noise level in work environment
• Standing and/or walking for extended periods of time
• Transporting, transferring, positioning patients and/or equipment from one location to another, little likelihood for injury if proper body mechanics and procedures are followed
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases, hazardous materials and pharmacological agents
• Occasional contact with aggressive and/or combative patients