Local Progressive Care Unit (PCU) Nurse Jobs

PCU nurses offer basic patient care, including administering medications and assisting them with bathing, as well as advanced patient care. This can involve providing first aid, administering IVs, and helping with wound care. PCU nurses also update all patient logs and handle paperwork, including discharge procedures. 

These nurses must offer patient education and collaborate with the entire healthcare team to provide comprehensive care.

Most facilities require you to be a registered nurse with a BSN to work in a progressive care unit. Some may accept an associate degree in nursing, but the majority don’t. If you already have your RN license but don’t have a BSN, you can find online programs that help you earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing faster. 

You’ll then have to gain at least two years of experience and earn your PCU certification before you can begin working as an entry-level PCU nurse.

A progressive care unit helps patients who need a higher level of care than a standard medical-surgical floor offers but who don’t require intensive care. PCU nurses can help patients who have cardiac conditions, like congestive heart failure, and individuals struggling with respiratory illnesses, like severe pneumonia and COPD. 

PCU nurses can also provide care for patients with neurological conditions like mild traumatic brain injuries, as well as those with trauma injuries and metabolic disorders.

To offer effective care, progressive care nurses must have a high level of emotional intelligence to understand what patients are going through. Resilience is another key soft skill that allows them to move forward after experiencing negative patient outcomes. Resilience helps PCU nurses manage tough situations while prioritizing patient care. 

PCU nurses must also have the ability to communicate effectively. They must help patients understand their conditions and related treatments so they can make informed decisions.

Making a choice between local contracts and travel nursing opportunities stands out as one of the toughest career decisions PCU nurses face. The decision carries extra weight now since demand for PCU nurses keeps growing at healthcare facilities nationwide.

PCU nursing opens up several career paths that come with unique benefits. Local PCU nurse jobs give you stability and a familiar workplace to call home. PCU travel nurse jobs, on the other hand, typically pay more and let you experience different settings. The core responsibilities stay the same, but your lifestyle, pay, and chances to grow professionally are substantially different between these options.