Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Start Date: 02-02-2026

End Date: 05-04-2026

Contract Type: Travel Contract

Shift Type: Night shift, 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM; mostly 12-hour shifts (mostly 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM), every other weekend required; rotating nights with occasional 8-hour shifts and on-call coverage (30-minute response when scheduled); EOW first to float to telemetry

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 to adult and pediatric ICU patients, ensuring safe, compassionate care
• Manage ventilators (Draeger) and advanced respiratory needs in collaboration with RTs
• Perform precise Cerner charting and maintain accurate patient documentation
• Deliver advanced life support interventions including ACLS/BLS/NIHSS protocols when needed
• Float to telemetry as required (telemetry equipment: Phillips) and manage 4:1 float ratios when assigned
• Assist with and monitor patients on advanced therapies (CRRT PrismaFlex, ECMO, IABP/Impella) when credentialed
• Act as charge nurse when scheduled (non-patient assignment) and coordinate unit flow alongside the interdisciplinary team
• Participate in required orientation, competency check-offs, and unit-specific training

Qualifications

• Active California Registered Nurse (RN) license required
• Minimum 2 years of ICU experience required
• Current ACLS, BLS, and NIHSS certifications required
• PALS and CCRN preferred
• Comfortable with 12-hour night shifts and on-call expectations
• Experience with Cerner charting and telemetry monitoring preferred
• Ability to respond within 30 minutes when scheduled for call

Education

• Active RN license (California) — license to submit required
• BSN not required for this role

Knowledge & Skills

• Critical care nursing and familiarity with common ICU diagnoses (neuro, post-op CABG, trauma, TPA, DKA, hypothermia)
• Ventilator management and familiarity with Draeger ventilators
• Telemetry monitoring and interpretation (Phillips systems)
• Experience with advanced cardiac support devices and therapies (IABP, Impella, ECMO, CRRT PrismaFlex)
• Strong assessment, triage, and critical thinking skills in high-acuity settings
• Effective interdisciplinary communication with intensivists, RTs, pharmacy, and IV teams
• Ability to float to telemetry and adapt to varying patient ratios (1:1, 1:2)

Benefits

• Generous travel support and lodging assistance to help you feel at home while on assignment
• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage so you can focus on patients, not paperwork
• Licensure assistance and reimbursement to keep your credentials up to date
• Paid time off options to recharge between shifts
• Professional development and training opportunities including unit-specific orientation and check-offs
• A supportive team culture with experienced intensivists, 24/7 RT and pharmacy backing you
• Referral bonus program to reward you for bringing great teammates aboard
• A dedicated clinical recruiter to help with logistics and scheduling

Travel Perks: Explore Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz is a beautiful coastal playground. After your shift you can stroll the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, catch some waves at Steamer Lane, or watch sea lions at the Wharf. Explore tide pools at Natural Bridges State Beach, hike redwood trails in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, or enjoy the shops and cafes in Capitola Village. Quick weekend escapes: scenic Highway 1 to Monterey and Carmel, wine tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains, or a day trip up to San Francisco. Plenty of outdoor adventures, great local seafood, and charming coastal towns to explore between shifts.

Hashtags

#RegisteredNurseJobs #ICUNursing #SantaCruzCAJobs #TravelNurse #NightShiftRN #CriticalCareRN #CernerNursing #UHCCareers #HealthcareJobs #RNHiring