PCU Nurse Job Description Template

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Written by Katherine Zheng, PhD, BSN Content Writer, IntelyCare
A PCU nurse checks in on his patient.

Progressive care unit nurses, or PCU nurses, care for patients who have been stepped down from an intensive care unit (ICU). Even though PCU patients have been medically stabilized, they still require close monitoring as they continue their recovery. When hiring for this role, a targeted PCU nurse job description will help you attract qualified candidates who are comfortable managing complex conditions.

To facilitate your hiring process, we’ve provided a job description template that highlights example benefits, duties, compensation, and responsibilities of a PCU nurse. Couple this template with thoughtful interview questions to select the best candidate for the role. You can also learn how to stand out from the crowd by exploring how other facilities are currently advertising their PCU nurse job openings.

PCU Nurse

Tips: To introduce your job opening, write a brief summary of the role and what makes your facility a great place for nurses to work. Pinpoint key information that will get the attention of the right candidates. If you’re hiring for a specialized PCU, indicate this here so that prospective applicants know whether they’ll be working as a general PCU nurse or a more specialized role, such as a cardiac PCU nurse. Job description introductions should make your facility stand out from others and allow prospective applicants to determine whether they should keep reading or not.

Template:

[Facility name] is a renowned acute care hospital that is currently seeking an experienced nurse for our cardiac PCU. Proudly holding Magnet distinction, we are experts in providing high quality care. You’ll have the opportunity to work within a diverse team of professionals while enjoying the many benefits and career ladders that are offered to our nurses. We’re committed to helping our community thrive, and we maintain a healthy work culture that enables our staff to deliver the best services possible.

Benefits

Tips: After you’ve gotten the attention of your prospective applicants, you’ll want to provide more details about all the great perks of working at your facility. This section of your PCU nurse job description should highlight the key components of your employee benefits package. If your facility or unit offers professional development programs, this is the place to list those as well.

Template:

  • Competitive pay
  • 401k matching
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • PTO and paid holidays
  • CE credits and tuition reimbursement
  • Clinical career ladder programs

Duties and Responsibilities

Tips: Now, your prospective applicants will want more information about the job itself. In this section, you should describe the specific duties and responsibilities of the PCU nurse. If applicable, tailor this section to the types of conditions that your unit cares for so that prospective applicants have a better idea of what to expect in their day-to-day work.

Template:

  • Conduct all steps of the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for patients with complex conditions
  • Document patient care, expected outcomes, and response to interventions
  • Identify and prioritize actions based upon patient care requirements
  • Perform interventions according to care priorities, patient needs, and care protocols
  • Provide a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment
  • Deliver and evaluate patient and family education
  • Revise nursing care according to nursing evaluation and changes in patient condition

Compensation and Schedule

Tips: This section of your PCU nurse job description should provide all of the other details about the job, such as the expected pay, schedule, and location of work. Be as specific as possible here, as applicants will be carefully reviewing these details to ensure that the job opportunity aligns with their capabilities.

Template:

  • Pay range: $40-$50/hour
  • Full Time, 36 hours/week
  • Day shift (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
  • Location: [insert city, state]

Skills and Qualifications

Tips: This section should outline all of the PCU nurse skills and qualifications that are needed for the role. Make sure you indicate whether each qualification is required or preferred, as this will encourage more nurses to apply. This is also the place to list any PCU nurse certification programs or specialized training that you’d like your candidates to have completed.

Template:

  • BSN from an accredited school of nursing required
  • Active RN license issued by [insert state] required
  • BLS certification from the AHA required
  • 1-2 years critical care experience preferred
  • PCCN certification preferred

Call to Action

Tips: Now that you’ve gone over all the details of the job, it’s time to plug a call to action that invites candidates to take the next step. Here, you’ll want to weave in a final hook about your facility and provide an application link where nurses can submit their resumes and cover letters.

Template: Ready to take your nursing career to the next level and join a leading healthcare organization? Click here to submit your application today.

Start Collecting High Quality Applications Today

Not sure how to get your PCU nurse job description seen by the right people? IntelyCare can help you collect high quality applications with ease. Post to our job board today and get your opening in front of a nationwide network of nurses who are actively seeking work.


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