Registered Nurse (RN) lead, Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Aurora Health Care; Oshkosh (WI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health is seeking an ICU Lead RN in Oshkosh, WI to coordinate daily patient care activities, staffing, and workflow in a fast-paced ICU. You will serve as both a clinical and administrative resource, directing staff and ensuring unit performance.

You will oversee patient flow, resource allocation, and scheduling to support procedures and improve care delivery. You will mentor frontline staff, partner with leadership on HR tasks, and drive safety, quality, and efficiency through

Qualifications

• RN license in applicable state; BLS within 6 months (if not already obtained).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing required.
• Typically 5+ years of acute care nursing experience.
• Experience in ICU leadership or charge nurse preferred.
• Ability to manage workflow, staffing, and patient throughput.

Responsibilities

• Lead ICU operations, coordinate care, staffing, and unit performance.
• Oversee patient flow, resource allocation, and staffing adjustments.
• Provide direct patient care using the nursing process when needed.
• Coordinate communication among patients, families, physicians, and departments.
• Lead staff through orientation, training, and day-to-day support; assess performance.
• Handle HR tasks including hiring support, employee relations, and team engagement.
• Manage staffing and scheduling to ensure coverage and productivity.
• Monitor quality of care and ensure compliance with nursing standards.
• Contribute to budgeting and equipment planning with leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Critical care

Staffing management

Clinical supervision

Decisive communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing

RN license

BLS certification

Job description

What You’ll Do:

As an ICU Lead RN, you will coordinate daily patient care activities, workflow, and staffing to ensure safe, efficient unit operations. You will serve as both a clinical and administrative resource, providing direction to staff while maintaining accountability for unit performance.

You will oversee patient flow, resource allocation, and staffing adjustments to support procedures and optimize care delivery in a fast-paced ICU environment.

You will support direct patient care as needed by applying the nursing process—assessing patients, implementing care plans, and evaluating outcomes to ensure safe, high-quality care. You will promote a culture focused on patient safety, quality, and efficiency, including participating in patient rounding when appropriate.

You will coordinate communication across patients, families, physicians, and departments to ensure seamless, patient-centered care. This includes addressing service concerns and facilitating timely resolution.

You will provide leadership and guidance to staff through orientation, training, and day-to-day support. You will assign and monitor work, provide input on performance, and collaborate with leadership to address complex staffing or care issues.

You will assist with key operational and HR functions, including hiring support, employee relations, and team engagement, helping to maintain a positive and productive work environment.

You will manage staffing and scheduling needs, ensuring appropriate coverage and making adjustments to maintain efficiency and meet productivity expectations.

You will monitor quality of care and ensure compliance with organizational policies, nursing standards, and regulatory requirements.

You will contribute to operational planning, including budgeting support, maintaining adequate supplies and equipment, and partnering with vendors, educators, and leadership on new products, programs, and services.

About This Location:

Join our ICU team in Oshkosh in a leadership role that blends clinical expertise with operational oversight. This unit cares for critically ill patients and offers a highly collaborative environment where leaders play a key role in supporting frontline staff, driving workflow efficiency, and ensuring exceptional patient outcomes.

You’ll work closely with an experienced interdisciplinary team and unit leadership to foster a strong culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your leadership skills while making a meaningful impact on both patient care and team development.

Be The Nurse Who Redefines Care

At Advocate Health, being a nurse means more than delivering exceptional clinical care—it means leading with purpose, compassion, and boldness. As part of our One Advocate Nurse community, you’ll join a unified team committed to lifting others up, embracing innovation, and creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive.

You’ll be empowered to think boldly, collaborate with humility, and drive change through fearless curiosity. Whether you're at the bedside, leading teams, or shaping care delivery, you’ll help define the future of health—because here, we’re redefining care for you, for us, for all.

Your feedback matters. Every nurse’s voice is vital in shaping our culture and improving care—we value your insights and experiences because they help us grow stronger together.

Schedule Details / Additional Information

• Schedule: TBD; 24/7 leadership support for ICU operations


• Licensure & Certification: RN license in applicable state; BLS (AHA) required within 6 months (if not already obtained)


• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing required


• Experience: Typically 5+ years of acute care nursing experience required


• Key Skills:
  
  
  
  • Strong clinical expertise in critical care
  
  
  • Leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities
  
  
  • Ability to manage workflow, staffing, and patient throughput
  
  
  • Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
  
  
  • Ability to prioritize and adapt in a high-acuity, fast-paced environment