Intermediate care is one of America’s most in-demand nursing specialties. But what can you expect from progressive care unit (PCU) nurse jobs? From how much you’ll earn to what the future holds, here’s everything you need to know.
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What to Expect from Intermediate & Progressive Care Unit (PCU) Nursing Jobs
With the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently releasing its first-ever guidelines for progressive care, it's a great time to dive into this important specialty. From definition to salary to how to land a job, here are the basic facts about PCU nurse jobs.
What is progressive care, and how is it different from intermediate or step-down care?
Progressive care, intermediate care, and step-down care all describe the same thing: nurses who treat patients in need of close observation and attentive care, not at the level of the intensive care unit (ICU), but more than what's provided in a med/surg unit. So, patients who are "progressing" from one stage to another.
Where are PCU nurse jobs located?
Many hospitals have step-down, intermediate care, or progressive care units. In some facilities, this may be called transitional care. Nurses who deliver intermediate care may also work in other units, like telemetry or med/surg.
What do progressive care nurses do?
In this specialty, it's more about what you do than where you work. That’s why some job providers offer PCU and step-down unit jobs under the term intermediate care. No matter where you work, though, you'll be helping patients recover from surgery, accidents, illness, or complications from chronic conditions, with the goal of transfer or discharge.
What can you expect from a PCU nursing job?
The specific care you'll provide depends on each patient’s unique (and often complex) needs. You can expect to treat a wide range of populations, including pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients. On a day-to-day basis, that means:
- Providing constant monitoring and care documentation
- Carrying out urgent interventions, as needed
- Managing and titrating medications
- Performing cardiac telemetry
- Helping develop and implement care plans, including transfers and discharges
- Coordinating with other clinicians, including rapid response teams
- Providing education and emotional support for patients and families
What’s the future job outlook for progressive care?
Recently listed in the top 10 most in-demand healthcare jobs, intermediate care nursing has a bright future. And as the number of patients needing highly skilled care grows, that demand will also increase.
Often recommended for nurses who want to expand their career options, progressive care can also be a springboard to working in the ICU, or nurse management, education, or advanced practice careers.
How much do progressive care nurses earn?
According to official sources, RNs make about $93,600 per year in general, although that will vary based on location, education, and experience — top earners with high levels of experience often make more than $100,000.
In addition, travel nurses can earn more than full-time employees. For instance, many intermediate care nursing jobs currently available at the HealthTrust jobsite pay well over $2,000 per week — or more than $100,000 per year on average — after factoring in housing and travel stipends.
How can you qualify to work PCU nurse jobs?
Like any RN job, you’ll need a license and degree, with most employers preferring Bachelor’s degrees. And because you’ll be treating a variety of patients, the more skills you have, the better, especially in critical care, med/surg, and telemetry.
What skills do you need to work PCU nurse jobs?
Basic inpatient care skills are a must! Besides CPR and emergency resuscitation, the use of infusion pumps and IV and ventilator equipment, and familiarity with basic healthcare tech, you should also be familiar with a wide range of treatments, including cardiac, respiratory, and post-op recovery.
You can also help your chances of landing a PCU job by developing skills in telemetry and hemodynamic monitoring and interpretation, vascular access, wound care, and acute care pharmacology. You should also build knowledge in infection prevention and control, and patient privacy and safety best practices.
As with any fast-paced nursing job, you’ll also need soft skills in communication, decision making, teamwork and collaboration, organization, and adaptation.
What certifications should PCU nurses have?
Most PCU nurse jobs require standard patient care certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS). You can also help your chances of getting hired by earning Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN) certification, Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI®) and National Telemetry Certification (NTA).
What other qualifications should PCU nurses have?
Another way to show employers you have what it takes to work in intermediate care is by earning continuing education (CE) credits in the skills listed above. Some hospitals will also hire RNs with lower levels of experience, as long as you're willing to take specialized training courses once you're hired.
Are travel jobs available in intermediate care?
Nurses with limited experience may have a better chance of landing progressive care travel assignments, which can offer the opportunity to build the experience needed to secure higher-paying jobs. At HealthTrust, intermediate care is among the most in-demand travel assignments!
Find the Best PCU Nurse Jobs with HealthTrust!
As the country's leading nursing job source, we’re proud to offer PCU nursing career opportunities in locations across the United States. See what’s available — search open intermediate care nursing jobs here.
