First Connect Health is seeking a travel nurse RN ICU - Intensive Care Unit for a travel nursing job in Madison, Wisconsin.
Job Description & Requirements
- Specialty: ICU - Intensive Care Unit
- Discipline: RN
- Start Date: 07/06/2026
- Duration: 13 weeks
- 36 hours per week
- Shift: 12 hours, nights
- Employment Type: Travel
Neurosciences ICU RN – Madison, WI
Contract Duration: 13 Weeks (07/06/2026 – 10/05/2026)
Shift: Nights | 19:00 – 07:30 (3x12-Hour Shifts)
Ratios: Strict 1:2 Patient-to-Nurse Allocation (Across Days, Nights, and Weekends)
Status: Open | Positions Available: 1
Critical Onboarding Screen (Hardstops)
🚫 Absolute Deadlines & Testing Mandates:
- Licensure: Active Wisconsin (WI) State RN License or valid Multi-State Compact RN License in hand at submission.
- Experience: Minimum 2 years of acute ICU experience within the last 3 years.
- EMR: Hands-on Epic experience is mandatory.
- Radius Rule: No local candidates accepted. Permanent address must be greater than 50 miles from the facility.
- Certifications: Active AHA BLS and AHA ACLS (American Heart Association only).
- Rigorous Telemetry Pass/Fail Exam: Before starting clinical orientation, you must pass a specialized telemetry test within 2 attempts:
- 100% accuracy identifying lethal rhythms (V-Fib, V-Tach, Asystole).
- Zero (0) incorrect answers on Third-Degree Heart Blocks.
- Baseline score must be 80% or higher. Failure on the 2nd attempt requires completing an external review course; failure on the 3rd attempt results in immediate contract cancellation.
Job Summary
A Magnet-designated, Tier-1 Trauma center ranked as Wisconsin's #1 hospital—is seeking a top-tier Neurosciences ICU RN for their D4/4 unit. This 12-bed critical care platform manages a highly complex mix of neurology, neurosurgical, and acute stroke conditions. Because this unit integrates both Intensive Care (ICU) and Intermediate Clinical Care (IMC) client pathways, the incoming traveler must be highly versatile, demonstrating total autonomy over advanced neuro-monitoring hardware and aggressive vasoactive drip titrations.
Key Responsibilities
- Advanced Neuro Assessment: Execute frequent, highly precise neuro checks (GCS, NIHSS metrics) tracking for subtle changes in pupils, motor function, or mental status.
- Intracranial Drainage Maintenance: Independently manage, level, and troubleshoot External Ventricular Drains (EVDs), lumbar drains, and continuous ICP monitoring via CereLink platforms.
- Acuity Interventions: Care for post-craniotomy, post-neurosurgery, acute ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke, and traumatic brain or spinal cord injury populations.
- Critical Care Pharmacology: Titrate advanced neuro-sedation arrays, paralytics (neuromuscular blockades), osmotic therapies (Hypertonic Saline/Mannitol), and vasoactive infusions to maintain tight, targeted Cerebral Perfusion Pressures ($CPP$).
- Ventilator Integration: Manage intubated and mechanically ventilated neuro patients, interpreting frequent ABGs and performing advanced suctioning protocols.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Experience Blueprint: 2+ years of high-acuity ICU experience. Direct neuro-critical care or neurosurgery background is highly preferred.
- Schedule Context: 3x12 night rotation including every other weekend and a holiday commitment (observed holidays include Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, NYD, etc.).
- Health Policy: Annual influenza vaccination is mandatory (Medical/Religious exemptions only). COVID-19 vaccine is not required.
Unit & Facility Details
- Facility: (12-Bed Neuroscience Unit - CC 21110803035605).
- Address: Madison, WI 53792.
- Interdisciplinary Network: Supported by highly specialized 24/7 ancillary staff, including Respiratory Therapy, Rapid Response, Unit Phlebotomy, and dedicated Clinical Pharmacy.
- Floating Matrix: Universal floating is a requirement across similar-acuity clinical units based on system demand.
Job ID: 3334400
About First Connect Health
At First Connect Health, we take pride in being a Joint Commission–certified healthcare staffing agency, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. This prestigious certification is more than just a seal — it's a reflection of our commitment to excellence, safety, and quality in everything we do.
By meeting the rigorous standards set by The Joint Commission, one of the most respected accrediting bodies in healthcare, we've demonstrated that our processes, compliance, and patient care standards are aligned with the highest levels of quality in the industry.
But our dedication goes beyond certifications. Nurses choose First Connect Health because:
- ✅ Trust and Transparency: We foster honest communication, timely updates, and full transparency throughout your placement journey.
- ✅ Best Pay & Benefits: We offer industry-leading compensation packages, along with benefits that support your career goals.
- ✅ Flexibility & Choice: Whether you're seeking short-term assignments, long-term contracts, or local opportunities, we provide the flexibility to suit your preferences.
- ✅ Personalized Support: Our recruiters take the time to understand your needs, guiding you with care, respect, and responsiveness at every step.
When you work with First Connect Health, you're not just another number — you're a valued professional. Join a team that’s focused on your success, your well-being, and your future in healthcare.
Benefits
- Sick pay
- 401k retirement plan
- Weekly pay
- Referral bonus
