First Connect Health is seeking a travel nurse RN ICU - Intensive Care Unit for a travel nursing job in Chandler, Arizona.
Job Description & Requirements
- Specialty: ICU - Intensive Care Unit
- Discipline: RN
- Start Date: 01/04/2027
- Duration: 13 weeks
- 36 hours per week
- Shift: 12 hours, nights
- Employment Type: Travel
ICU RN – Surgical Trauma/Neuro & Medical/Cardiac ICU
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced ICU RN for a high-acuity critical care assignment covering Surgical ICU, Trauma/Neuro ICU, Medical ICU, and Cardiac ICU populations. This position requires strong critical-care experience and the ability to care for complex trauma, neurological, medical, and cardiovascular patients.
Minimum Experience Requirement
A FULL 3 YEARS OF RECENT ICU EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED — NO EXCEPTIONS.
Candidates must also have experience in either Neuro or Cardiovascular (CV) care.
- First-time travelers are welcome to be considered.
- Level I Trauma and Neuro experience are preferred.
- Experience in a similar-size, high-acuity ICU is preferred.
- Candidates should be comfortable floating between multiple ICU environments.
Required Certifications
- BLS – Required
- ACLS – Required
- NIHSS – Required
Surgical ICU – Trauma / Neuro Surgery
- Beds: 32
- RN-to-Patient Ratio: 1:1–1:2
- Facility: Level I Trauma Center
- Patient Population: Trauma patients age 15+
- Common diagnoses and cases include:
- Falls
- Gunshot wounds
- Blunt trauma
- Motor vehicle accidents
- CVA
- Status post-TPA
- Sepsis
- ARDS
- COVID
- Exploratory laparotomy
- Craniotomy
- Specialty neurosurgical cases
Medical / Cardiac ICU & Overflow
- Medical/Cardiac ICU: 36 beds
- ICU Overflow: 12 beds
- RN-to-Patient Ratio: 1:1–1:2
Common medical diagnoses include:
- Sepsis
- COVID
- DKA
- Influenza
- ARDS
- Vascular surgery patients
- CRRT — experience preferred but not required
Cardiovascular Patient Population
The CVICU population may include:
- On- and off-pump CABG recovery
- Valve procedures
- Post-cath patients
- TAVR
- IABP
- Impella
- ECMO
- TandemHeart
- Esophagectomies
Critical Care & Drip Management
RNs are required to independently manage and titrate critical-care medications according to physician orders and established parameters.
Common medications/drips include:
- Propofol
- Fentanyl
- Versed
- Precedex
- Morphine
- Dilaudid
- Ketamine
- Rocuronium
- Levophed
- Vasopressin
- Cardene
- Labetalol
- Dopamine
- Dobutamine
- Heparin
- Insulin
Monitoring & Equipment
- Telemetry: GE monitors
- No dedicated monitor technicians
- RNs must independently read and interpret cardiac rhythms
- Ventilators: Dräger, Hamilton, Puritan Bennett 840
- BiPAP: V60
- High Flow: Airvo
Clinical Support
- Charge RN: Available on each shift; does not take a patient assignment
- Hospitalist/Intensivist: In-house 24/7
- Respiratory Therapy: Available in ICU 24/7
- No routine nurse aides; support staff may assist with sitters and Health Unit Secretary duties
Floating Requirements
Travelers are expected to float between the following ICU areas according to staffing needs:
- Surgical ICU
- Trauma/Neuro ICU
- Medical/Cardiac ICU
- ICU Overflow
Travelers may also be required to float to Telemetry, with an approximate 1:3–1:4 ratio.
Schedule
- Self-scheduling: Available
- Schedule may be adjusted by management to maintain appropriate staffing
- Weekend Requirement: 3 weekend shifts per 4-week schedule
- Night shift: Friday & Saturday
- Day shift: Saturday & Sunday
- Holiday: May have 1 holiday off during the assignment
- Call/Standby: No additional call or standby shifts required
- Low Census: May be low-censused up to 3 times per contract based on unit needs
Orientation
- 1–2 shifts of unit/department-specific orientation
- Clinical skills may be validated for trauma, neuro, and specialty equipment/devices as needed.
Required Assessments
UNA Dysrhythmia Exam
- Required 24–48 hours prior to acceptance
- Maximum of 2 attempts
- Failure results in DNU status for 6 months for CSH AZ and CSH Sacramento regions.
Day 1 SIM Lab
- Pass/fail SIM Lab required on Day 1 of orientation
- Candidates must successfully demonstrate required clinical competencies.
- Failure may result in being sent home and placed on DNU status for 6 months.
Dress Code
Radius & Employment Eligibility
- 50-mile radius rule applies
- Candidates may not have been full-time, part-time, or PRN with any facility associated with CommonSpirit, CHI, or Dignity within the previous 12 months.
Hiring Process
- Auto-offer based on successful clinical prescreen
- Clinical qualifications and required experience will be reviewed prior to an offer.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a highly experienced ICU RN with 3 full years of recent ICU experience, including Neuro or CV experience. The nurse should be confident managing high-acuity trauma, neurological, medical, and cardiac patients; titrating complex drips; interpreting cardiac rhythms; managing advanced respiratory support; and floating between multiple ICU environments based on patient and staffing needs.
Akshay #1184523
Akshay #1184523
About First Connect Health
At First Connect Health, we take pride in being a Joint Commission–certified healthcare staffing agency, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. This prestigious certification is more than just a seal — it's a reflection of our commitment to excellence, safety, and quality in everything we do.
By meeting the rigorous standards set by The Joint Commission, one of the most respected accrediting bodies in healthcare, we've demonstrated that our processes, compliance, and patient care standards are aligned with the highest levels of quality in the industry.
But our dedication goes beyond certifications. Nurses choose First Connect Health because:
- ✅ Trust and Transparency: We foster honest communication, timely updates, and full transparency throughout your placement journey.
- ✅ Best Pay & Benefits: We offer industry-leading compensation packages, along with benefits that support your career goals.
- ✅ Flexibility & Choice: Whether you're seeking short-term assignments, long-term contracts, or local opportunities, we provide the flexibility to suit your preferences.
- ✅ Personalized Support: Our recruiters take the time to understand your needs, guiding you with care, respect, and responsiveness at every step.
When you work with First Connect Health, you're not just another number — you're a valued professional. Join a team that’s focused on your success, your well-being, and your future in healthcare.
Benefits
- Sick pay
- 401k retirement plan
- Weekly pay
- Referral bonus