Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Start Date: 01-05-2026

End Date: 04-06-2026

Shift Type: Primarily nights, 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM, 12-hour shifts (mostly nights); schedule varies across the week with an every-other-weekend requirement and occasional holiday coverage; on-call as needed with a 30-minute response expectation

Hours per Week: 36

Candidate Pay Rate: $74 per hour

About United Health Care Staffing

At United Health Care Staffing (UHC Staffing), we believe healthcare staffing should be more than just finding a job. We are here to connect amazing professionals with opportunities that make their careers exciting, rewarding, and meaningful. With us, you're not just signing up for a contract you are joining a team that's got your back, answers your calls, and maybe even cracks a joke or two to brighten your day. Think of us as the travel buddy who handles the logistics while you focus on what you do best helping people heal.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Provide high-acuity critical care for adults and pediatrics in a 16-20 bed ICU, delivering bedside nursing with compassion and precision
• Monitor and manage complex devices and therapies such as ventilators, CRRT (PrismaFlex), ECMO support, balloon pumps, and Impella when indicated
• Collaborate with a 24/7 intensivist, RT, pharmacy, and IV teams to coordinate timely, evidence-based care
• Perform accurate assessment, documentation in Cerner, and rapid response to acute changes in patient condition
• Adhere to 1:1 and 1:2 nurse-to-patient ratios while maintaining safe and effective care
• Float to telemetry units as needed and support unit staffing by filling weekend and call gaps
• Participate in orientation, competency check-offs, and continuing education to maintain and expand clinical skills

Qualifications

• Active RN license valid in California
• Minimum 2 years of ICU (critical care) nursing experience required
• Current BLS and ACLS required; NIHSS required
• PALS and CCRN preferred and highly regarded
• Experience with Cerner EMR and telemetry monitoring (Phillips) preferred
• Comfort with adult and pediatric critical care populations and advanced cardiac/vascular support devices
• Ability to be within 30 minutes of the hospital for on-call coverage

Education

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program (ADN or BSN acceptable)
• BSN preferred but not required

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong critical care assessment and prioritization skills
• Proficiency with Cerner electronic charting
• Familiarity with Draeger ventilators and ventilator management concepts
• Experience or willingness to train on CRRT (PrismaFlex), ECMO, IABP, Impella, TAVR/EVAR care
• Knowledge of ACLS algorithms, NIHSS stroke assessment, and TPA workflows
• Effective communication and teamwork with multidisciplinary clinicians
• Ability to manage high-acuity cases including neuro, post-op CABG, trauma, and advanced hemodynamic support

Benefits

• Competitive pay with holiday and call differentials to reward your extra effort
• Generous housing stipend or assistance options for travel clinicians
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you healthy
• Licensure assistance and reimbursement so paperwork is less painful
• Paid orientation and support during your first shifts so you feel confident
• Referral bonus program — bring a friend and earn rewards
• Access to continuing education and clinical check-offs for advanced tech (ECMO, CRRT, etc.)
• A caring team environment that values work-life balance and your expertise

Travel Perks: Explore Santa Cruz, CA

Explore Santa Cruz beaches and the iconic Boardwalk for weekend fun, stroll the surfside West Cliff Drive for killer ocean views, hike the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park, grab coffee and tacos in lively downtown, take a short drive to Capitola Village or Monterey/Carmel for dining and whale watching, and enjoy nearby wineries and coastal trails for outdoor adventures between shifts.

Hashtags

#RegisteredNurseJobs #ICUNurse #SantaCruzCAJobs #NightShiftNursing #CriticalCareNursing #TravelNurse #UHCCareers #CernerJobs #RNJobs #HealthcareHeroes