Registered Nurse (RN) - Progressive Care Unit

The University of Kansas Health System•Liberty, MO

About The Position

The Progressive Care Unit (PCU) is a high-acuity, high-skill environment where nurses care for complex, critically ill patients while developing advanced clinical expertise. As an integral part of the cardiothoracic program, the team manages a broad range of high-acuity infusions and advanced patient care needs, providing opportunities to strengthen clinical judgment, expand technical skills, and gain exposure to critical care. The Registered Nurse uses the nursing process to coordinate safe, patient-centered care through a collaborative interdisciplinary approach. The RN integrates clinical knowledge, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice to achieve positive patient outcomes while partnering with patients, families, and the healthcare team. The RN demonstrates clinical judgment, leadership, and problem-solving skills, and serves as a resource, mentor, and advocate while providing compassionate care that addresses patients’ physical, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual, and age-specific needs.

Requirements

High school graduate.
Associate Degree in Nursing.
Licensed Registered Nurse (LRN), single-state license from the Kansas or Missouri State Board of Nursing, or a compact license.
CPR/AED/BLS certification; other BLS is required within 14 days.

Nice To Haves

Some units may require additional unit-specific affirmations, certifications, or work experience.

Responsibilities

Follow hospital medication-safety policies, including order-writing format, administration considerations, double checks, and other established practices.
Answer calls from patients and significant others, evaluate needs, and triage patient care.
Anticipate and respond appropriately and promptly to concerns about patient and staff safety.
Consistently meet the work schedule.
Model individualized therapeutic communication based on patients’ and families’ psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural needs.
Coordinate healthcare services with the hospital, vendors, physicians’ offices, and other institutions.
Delegate appropriately based on the task, situation, and level of expertise; work independently and supportively as a team member; and help build and maintain an environment where team members thrive.
Use critical thinking across all aspects of the nursing process.
Develop, implement, and evaluate plans of care; recognize changes in patient condition and adapt plans as needed.
Identify areas for professional growth.
Independently conduct comprehensive assessments to provide effective care for the relevant patient population.
Maintain a safe environment for patients.
Assess and triage care needs for new and ongoing patients.
Provide direct nursing care to assigned patients, including supportive care and administration of prescribed chemotherapy, blood components, fluid and electrolyte replacements, and other oncology treatments.
Educate patients and families using available resources.
Seek additional learning experiences, including unit-specific certifications, consultation with experts, in-services and rounds, and collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
Use technology correctly for patient care delivery, mandatory programs and competencies, and policies and procedures.
Perform the professional, clinical, and technical competencies required by the assigned unit or department.