First Connect Health is seeking a travel nurse RN PCU - Progressive Care Unit for a travel nursing job in Fort Myers, Florida.

Job Description & Requirements Specialty: PCU - Progressive Care Unit Discipline: RN Start Date: 12/14/2026 Duration: 13 weeks 48 hours per week Shift: 12 hours, nights Employment Type: Travel HIGH-PAYING 48-HOUR OVERTIME CONTRACT: NIGHT PCU / STEPDOWN RN (4X12) – FORT MYERS, FL An immediate 13-week travel contract opening is available for an experienced Progressive Care Unit (PCU / Stepdown) Registered Nurse (RN) in Fort Myers, FL 33912. Operating within a specialized 36-bed Orthopedic-Spine Progressive Care Unit at a leading acute care medical center, this high-compensating clinical assignment features an intensive 48-hour overnight schedule (19:00 – 07:00 / 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM, four 12-hour night shifts guaranteed weekly with 8 built-in weekly overtime hours). TOP-TIER 48-HOUR OVERTIME PACKAGE ($2,951/WEEK)! $1,547/WEEK TAX-FREE HOUSING & MEAL STIPEND! $27.00/HR REGULAR & $40.50/HR OT RATES! ZERO MANDATORY ON-CALL! SUNSHINE STATE TRAVEL ASSIGNMENT! EPIC EHR! Managing high-acuity stepdown and post-surgical patients, the PCU RN coordinates advanced nursing care across complex spine surgeries (fusions, laminectomies, disc replacements), complex orthopedic reconstructions, continuous cardiac telemetry, and acute neurological presentations. If you are an acute stepdown nurse skilled in continuous cardiac rhythm interpretation, NIHSS stroke surveillance, neurovascular checks, complex post-op recovery, and multi-modal analgesia looking to maximize your earnings at $2,951/week on nights in Southwest Florida, this assignment is built for you! PRE-CALCULATED PAY PACKAGE (48-Hour Overtime Week) Weekly Gross: $2,951.00 Weekly Tax-Free Stipend: $1,547.00 Hourly W2 Regular Rate: $27.00/hr (40 regular hours) Hourly W2 Overtime Rate: $40.50/hr (8 weekly overtime hours included) (Travelers only; clinicians residing within a 50-mile radius are not accepted per facility policy).

SHIFT & POSITION DETAILS Schedule: Night shifts, 4x12-Hours (19:00 – 07:00 / 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM).

Guaranteed Hours: 48 hours guaranteed weekly (40 regular hours 8 overtime hours; work week: Sunday – Saturday).

Assignment Duration: 13 Weeks.

Block Scheduling: Block schedules are not offered.

On-Call Requirements: NO ON-CALL REQUIRED!

Department Setting & Capacity: 36-bed specialized Ortho-Spine Progressive Care Unit (6W Ortho Spine).

Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratios: Progressive care staffing ratios of 4:1 to 6:1 .

Floating Scope: Floating is required as operationally needed; travel clinicians are first to float to like units or affiliated sister campuses within clinical competency.

Clinical Scope & Specialty Care: Direct progressive care nursing for high-acuity surgical ortho-spine and complex medical stepdown patients. Comprehensive post-operative spine and orthopedic management: complex spinal fusions (ACDF, ALIF, TLIF), laminectomies, total joint reconstructions, neurovascular assessments, and surgical drain management (Hemovac/Jackson-Pratt). Continuous cardiac telemetry surveillance, real-time rhythm interpretation, dysrhythmia management, and rapid response team activation. Acute neurological status monitoring and stroke evaluation adhering to NIHSS guidelines. Infusion therapy and vascular access: peripheral IV placement, maintenance of central and PICC lines, weight-based anticoagulation/heparin protocols, and multi-modal pain management (PCA/PCEA). Prevention and early detection of post-surgical complications: compartment syndrome, DVT/PE prophylaxis, surgical site infections, and skin breakdown.

EMR System: Epic electronic health record.

REQUISITE QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUBMISSION Experience Requirement: Minimum 2 full years of dedicated acute care inpatient Progressive Care (PCU / Stepdown) RN experience (prior travel nursing experience preferred).

Education Requirement (Strict Mandate): Degree accreditation must be explicitly listed on the profile/resume OR clinician must possess a minimum of 5 years of acute care RN experience.

Licensure (Strict Hard Stop): Active Florida State Registered Nurse (RN) License or Multi-State Compact RN License strictly in hand at submittal .

Certifications Required at Submittal (Must all be active and attached): Basic Life Support (BLS) — American Heart Association (AHA) only . Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) — AHA only . NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Certification.

EMR Competency: Hands-on Epic EHR experience is a hard requirement. ✨ APPLICATION PROCESS Avoid administrative processing delays on broad public job boards. Complete candidate profiles matching all clinical prerequisites receive expedited review and direct interview/offer consideration. Apply directly to this posting to lock in your file with our specialized acute care recruitment team!

Location Details: Assignment is located in Fort Myers, FL 33912. ⏱️ Assignment Schedule & Hours: 13-week contract (48 hours guaranteed weekly on 12-hour Nights: 19:00 – 07:00; 40 regular hours 8 overtime hours; work week: Sunday – Saturday).

No Standby Call: Zero standby on-call obligations.

Strict 50-Mile Radius Rule: Candidates residing within 50 miles of the facility are strictly not accepted (travelers only).

Unit Acuity & Ratios: 36-bed Ortho-Spine Progressive Care Unit (6W Ortho Spine); staffing ratios 4:1 to 6:1.

Mandatory Experience & Education Hard Stops: Minimum 2 full years of acute PCU RN experience required (prior travel experience preferred). Degree accreditation must be documented on profile/resume OR clinician must have at least 5 years of acute care RN experience.

Floating Scope: Floating is required; travelers are first to float across like units and sister campuses as needed.

Certification Mandate (Strict Hard Stop): Active FL or Compact Multi-State RN license strictly in hand at submittal. Active AHA BLS, AHA ACLS, and NIHSS certificates strictly required at submittal. ️ EMR System: Epic electronic health record experience is a mandatory hard stop.

Mandatory Submittal Details: Active RN license, AHA BLS, AHA ACLS, and NIHSS cards attached. Full demographic details required at submission: legal name, physical address, email, full Date of Birth (DOB), and full SSN (profiles cannot be confirmed without complete demographics). All Requested Time Off (RTO) must be submitted upfront; facility strictly will not approve RTO after submission. Hard credential document deadline is the Monday prior to start date (no exceptions for pending documents).

Time Off: All RTO must be requested on submission; no post-submittal RTO allowed. 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