Travel PCU RN - $2,894 per week

TotalMed RN; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Guaranteed Hours

Continuing Education

401k retirement plan

Sick pay

Wellness and fitness programs

Referral bonus

Employee assistance programs

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Benefits start day 1

Job summary

TotalMed RN seeks a Progressive Care Unit RN for a travel assignment in Des Moines, Iowa, starting 09/28/2026 for 13 weeks at 48 hours per week with 12‑hour night shifts. Ideal candidates have 1–2 years of acute care experience and current BLS/ACLS; NIH may be required.

The PCU role emphasizes close monitoring, medication administration, and rapid response to evolving patient needs. As a PCU Travel Nurse, you will monitor cardiac data and vital signs, interpret alarms, and titrate medications as

Qualifications

• RN with active license and cardiac care experience.
• BLS and ACLS required; additional NIH certification may be needed.
• 1–2 years acute care experience preferred for PCU.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic bedside care and stabilize cardiac patients.
• Change dressings, insert catheters and start IVs.
• Administer, record and monitor prescribed meds; report adverse reactions.
• Monitor equipment and interpret electronic displays; intervene as needed.
• Coordinate care in a fast-paced PCU environment.

Skills

RN license

Cardiac monitoring

Telemetry

Education

BLS

ACLS

NIH certification

Job description

TotalMed RN is seeking a travel nurse RN PCU - Progressive Care Unit for a travel nursing job in Des Moines, Iowa.

Job Description & Requirements

• Specialty: PCU - Progressive Care Unit
• Discipline: RN
• Start Date: 09/28/2026
• Duration: 13 weeks
• 48 hours per week
• Shift: 12 hours, nights
• Employment Type: Travel

We're looking for Progressive Care Unit RNs for an immediate travel nurse opening in Des Moines, IA. The right RN should have 1-2 years recent acute care experience. Read below for more requirements.

As a PCU Travel Nurse, you will care for patients who require close monitoring and frequent assessment, but aren't unstable enough to need ICU care. Progressive Care Unit RNs will utilize computer equipment to monitor cardiac and other vital information, detecting any changes and thereby enabling intervention of life‑threatening or emergency situations. Close observation is necessary as many PCU patients receive a significant amount of complex medications, sometimes through an intravenous line that may need to be adjusted or titrated. The PCU RN is sometimes also called a step‑down nurse, and the PCU is also known as cardiac stepdown, medical stepdown, neuro stepdown, surgical stepdown and ER holding.As a PCU Travel Nurse, you should be prepared to perform the following tasks:

• Provide basic bedside care; stabilize critical cardiac patients.
• Change dressings, insert catheters and start IVs.
• Prepare, administer and record prescribed medication, reporting any adverse reactions to treatment.
• Monitor and adjust specialized equipment used on patients, and interpret and record electronic displays.
• Initiate corrective action whenever information from monitoring equipment shows adverse symptomatology.

PCU Travel Nurses should be able to stand and walk for long periods of time, as well as bend, lean and stoop without difficulty. RNs should be able to easily lift 20 pounds. Moving or lifting of patients may require lifting of up to 50 pounds at times. Because of the fast‑paced environment, Progressive Care Unit RNs must possess good skills for coping with stress and be able to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds. Requirements*: BLS, NIH, ACLS, 2 Years * Additional certifications may be required before beginning an assignment.

TotalMed RN Job ID #1489987. Pay package is based on 12 hour shifts and 48.0 hours per week (subject to confirmation) with tax‑free stipend amount to be determined. Posted job title: Progressive Care Unit - PCU RN - Travel Nurse

About TotalMed RN

TotalMed is a Top Ten, travel nursing and healthcare staffing agency with the mission of igniting purpose in healthcare. The organization staffs nurses, therapists, pharmacists, and other clinicians of all specialties in all 50 states. They offer local and travel jobs and match caregivers with the right organization to assist both facilities and patients. As an organization, they focus on putting highly‑skilled staff into facilities to ensure adequate staffing for a better patient experience.

TotalMed specializes in recruiting and placing healthcare professionals in travel, PRN, and permanent positions across the country in Nursing and Allied Health. Throughout 2020, the organization filled roles at even the most short‑staffed facilities during the most challenging time in healthcare. By matching the right travel healthcare professional with the right organization, TotalMed continues to offer a lifeline to facilities and their patients.

Benefits

• Weekly pay
• Guaranteed Hours
• Continuing Education
• 401k retirement plan
• Sick pay
• Wellness and fitness programs
• Referral bonus
• Employee assistance programs
• Medical benefits
• Dental benefits
• Vision benefits
• Benefits start day 1