Graduate Nurse: Journey to ICU- Acute Care Track (UPMC Williamsport)

UPMC • Williamsport, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

UPMC Williamsport is seeking a Full-Time Registered Nurse for their Progressive Care Unit (PCU) as part of the Journey to ICU Program. This program is designed to equip new graduate nurses with the skills and confidence needed to become successful ICU nurses. Participants will spend their first year on the PCU, building a strong foundation in caring for a diverse and high-acuity patient population. After one year, nurses will have the opportunity to interview for a transition into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The goal is to support new graduate nurses in gaining the clinical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and hands-on experience necessary to thrive in the ICU environment at UPMC Williamsport.

About the Units:
Progressive Care Unit (Step Down): The 6 East PCU is a 24-bed unit providing intermediate care for patients requiring close monitoring and specialized nursing support. It bridges the gap between the ICU and general medical-surgical units. The nurse-to-patient ratio is typically 1:4 or 1:5. The unit is staffed by a Unit Director, Clinicians, Registered Nurses (RNs), Patient Care Technicians (PCTs), and Unit Clerks. The patient population includes cardiac conditions, patients requiring hemodynamic support, respiratory support, endocrine emergencies, trauma patients, and those needing higher monitoring than a general medical unit but not ICU criteria.

Intensive Care Unit: UPMC Williamsport’s ICU is a state-of-the-art, 28-bed unit providing advanced care for a diverse and high-acuity patient population. Each room is private, with some equipped for negative pressure isolation. The unit features advanced equipment like MAXI Sky lifts and the AIR Tap system. Critical care treatments include ECMO, IMPELLA, IABP, CRRT, and TTM. The ICU has 24/7 onsite coverage by Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) and a full critical care management team. Nurse-to-patient ratios are typically 1:2, with flexibility for 1:1 care. The unit includes a centralized monitoring system, multidisciplinary touchdown stations, and dedicated support from Respiratory Therapy, Occupational and Rehabilitation Services, and an on-unit Pharmacist. Amenities include sleeping quarters for perfusionists, dietary rooms, a hospital telemetry monitoring room, a staff relaxation room, a secure locker room, a staff break room, a visitor waiting area, and a private family room. Daily huddles are held twice a day. Leadership includes clinical leaders, a dedicated educator, and a unit director, supported by the Clinical Director of Critical Care and hospital leadership.

Requirements

• Minimum six months experience.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families.
• Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment, handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment.
• Good clinical judgment with critical thinking, analytical and problem solving abilities required as related to various aspects of patient care.
• Critical thinking skills necessary to exercise and to lead others in application of the nursing process.
• Mobility and visual manual dexterity.
• Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting and positioning of patients.
• Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse either in the state where the facility is located or in a state covered by a licensure compact agreement with the state where the facility is located.
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

Nice To Haves

• BSN preferred.
• UPMC approved national certification preferred.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.
• Demonstrates an understanding of cultural differences and holds peers accountable for healthy relationships.
• Maintains a conscious balance between work and personal life. Models safe work hours, time management, and a healthy lifestyle.
• Communicates with peers and management any safety hazards identified in the workplace.
• Demonstrates knowledge of adult learning principles and applies in teaching patients, families, students, and new staff.
• Provides detailed and appropriate teaching to patients and families to effectively guide them through the episode of care as well as transition to another level of care and/or home.
• Supports the development of students, new staff, and colleagues, may serve as a preceptor.
• Creates an environment of open dialogue, inquiry, and continuous development by asking for feedback and improving practice.
• Applies the nursing process within the framework of Relationship Based Care to create a healing environment.
• Formulates daily goals and a plan of care for patients that involves the patient as a partner and considers the individual needs of the patient in a holistic manner.
• Demonstrates critical thinking in the identification of clinical, social, safety, psychological and spiritual issues for the patient care within an episode of care.
• Practices solid communication skills, can articulate and translate the patient''s condition to other care providers and negotiate and make recommendations for changes in patient care and unit practices.
• Patient documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers.
• Incorporates national professional organization as well as business unit and health system's goals to improve patient safety, quality, and satisfaction.
• Creates a caring and compassionate patient-focused experience by building healing relationships with patients, families and colleagues.
• Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care.
• Actively participates in unit-based shared governance, goal setting and supports the change and transition process to improve quality of care and the practice environment.
• Serves as a highly engaged and full partner on the care team and responds willingly to care team members needs for assistance and partnership.
• Participates in work that improves patient care and the professional practice environment.
• Adapts to change and demonstrates flexibility with the change process.
• Actively participates in department or unit-specific quality improvement efforts.
• Identifies opportunity for quality improvement to colleagues and management.
• Takes personal responsibility in improving patient satisfaction with the quality of care and service.
• Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to support improvement in clinical care: identifies research issues or articles related to clinical specialty or areas of interest, discusses opportunities for quality improvement at multidisciplinary rounds, and influences patients' plans of care.

Benefits

• Generous Sign-On Bonus of up to $20,000 for experienced nurses.
• UPMC’s brand new Monthly Loan Repayment program, exclusively for graduate nurses, offering $20,000 in loan repayment paid over three years (Eligible flex full-time RN roles to receive prorated amount)
• Up to five and a half weeks of Paid Time Off annually, plus seven paid holidays each year
• Dedicated career ladders, including a brand-new nursing career ladder added just this year, allowing you to achieve your highest potential while rewarding you for your experience and advanced education
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per academic year at any accredited institution, available to employees and their dependents (plus discounts for UPMC employees including no cost RN-BSN/MSN options!)
• Sign-On Bonus Details (Full Time or Flex Full Time status): $10,000 sign-on bonus available for Graduate Nurses and nurses with less than one year of experience

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level