First Connect Health is seeking a travel nurse RN CVICU for a travel nursing job in Madison, Wisconsin.

Job Description & Requirements Specialty: CVICU Discipline: RN Start Date: 12/07/2026 Duration: 13 weeks 48 hours per week Shift: 12 hours, nights Employment Type: Travel HIGH-PAYING 48-HOUR OVERTIME CONTRACT: NIGHT CVICU RN (4X12) – MADISON, WI An immediate 13-week travel contract opening is available for an experienced Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) Registered Nurse (RN) in Madison, WI 53792. Operating within a specialized 27-bed Cardiothoracic Surgery & Transplant ICU (Unit B4/5; average daily census ~26) at a nationally ranked academic medical center, Magnet-designated teaching institution, and Level I Trauma Center, this top-tier critical care assignment features an intensive 48-hour overnight schedule (19:00 – 07:30 / 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM, four 12-hour night shifts guaranteed weekly with 8 built-in weekly overtime hours; blocked weekend scheduling accommodated upon request). PREMIER HIGH-PAY WISCONSIN ASSIGNMENT ($3,691/WEEK GROSS)! $1,351/WEEK TAX-FREE HOUSING & MEAL STIPEND! $45.00/HR REGULAR & $67.50/HR OT RATES! COMPACT STATE! ZERO MANDATORY ON-CALL! 1:1 TO 1:2 CRITICAL CARE RATIOS! EPIC EHR! Managing high-acuity cardiothoracic surgical recoveries, heart and lung transplants, and complex mechanical circulatory support devices, the CVICU nursing team works alongside 2 dedicated Care Team Leaders (Charge RNs) and a unit Rapid Response Nurse every shift. Clinical scope encompasses immediate post-op open-heart recoveries directly from the OR, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), surgical valve repair/replacements, thoracic aortic aneurysm and acute dissection repairs, heart and lung transplants, cardiogenic shock, and ventricular assist devices. Hands-on clinical proficiency with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT via NxStage) is a mandatory prerequisite alongside experience with epicardial pacing wires, pulmonary artery catheters (Swan-Ganz), arterial lines, and vasoactive drip titrations. Additional mechanical circulatory support (Impella, IABP, HeartMate 3 LVAD) and ECMO competencies are strongly valued. If you are an acute critical care nurse skilled in cardiothoracic surgical recovery, CRRT, and advanced hemodynamic management looking to maximize your earnings at $3,691/week on nights in Wisconsin, this assignment is built for you! PRE-CALCULATED PAY PACKAGE (48-Hour Overtime Week) Weekly Gross: $3,691.00 Weekly Tax-Free Stipend: $1,351.00 Hourly W2 Regular Rate: $45.00/hr (40 regular hours) Hourly W2 Overtime Rate: $67.50/hr (8 weekly overtime hours included) (Travel candidates only; 50-mile permanent residence radius rule strictly enforced for travel stipend eligibility).

SHIFT & POSITION DETAILS Schedule: Night shifts, 4x12-Hours (19:00 – 07:30 / 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM).

Guaranteed Hours: 48 hours guaranteed weekly (40 regular hours 8 overtime hours).

Assignment Duration: 13 Weeks.

Block Scheduling: Blocked weekend scheduling can be accommodated if preferred by clinician.

On-Call Requirements: NO ON-CALL REQUIRED!

Weekend & Holiday Coverage: Every other weekend rotation and shared holiday coverage.

Floating Scope: Inpatient floating within clinical competency/scope as operationally needed.

Department Setting & Capacity: Cardiothoracic Surgery B4/5 (CVCT ICU) — 27 private ICU rooms; average daily census of 26 patients; staffed each shift with 2 Care Team Leaders (Charge RNs), 1 Rapid Response RN, 16 direct bedside RNs, and 3 overnight nursing assistants.

Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratios: Typically 1:1 to 1:2 for acute cardiothoracic critical care (up to 1:3 only if unit acuity is exceptionally low and managing stepdown/general care overflow).

Clinical Scope & Specialty Care: Immediate post-operative critical care recovery for open-heart and thoracic surgical patients directly from the OR.

Surgical cases: CABG, surgical valve repair and replacement, TAVR, ascending/descending aortic aneurysm repairs, and acute aortic dissection management. Advanced heart and lung failure therapies: heart transplantation, lung transplantation, cardiogenic shock stabilization, and acute STEMI/NSTEMI management. Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: bedside circuit management, fluid removal titration, and troubleshooting utilizing NxStage CRRT systems. Mechanical circulatory support & advanced devices: monitoring and care for HeartMate 3 (HM3) LVADs, Impella, and Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps (IABP); ECMO and Zoll Thermoguard targeted temperature management experience strongly preferred. Hemodynamic monitoring: zeroing, calibration, and waveform analysis for Pulmonary Artery Catheters (Swan-Ganz), Central Venous Pressure (CVP), arterial lines, and FloTrac/Vigileo systems. Epicardial pacing wire management, transthoracic/mediastinal chest tube drainage systems, and pleural drainage. Mechanical ventilation: invasive ventilator management, tracheostomy care, ET suctioning, and arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation. Critical pharmacology: continuous titration of multiple vasoactive drips (Levophed, Epinephrine, Vasopressin, Milrinone), antiarrhythmics, continuous IV sedation, and IV insulin protocols.

EMR System: Epic electronic health record (experience within the past 12 months preferred).

REQUISITE QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUBMISSION Experience Requirement: Minimum 2 full years of dedicated acute care inpatient CVICU RN clinical experience strictly required within the last 3 years. Prior clinical experience in a Level I Trauma Center or major academic teaching hospital required. Prior travel RN experience is not required (first-time travelers welcomed).

Device & Clinical Hard Stop: Hands-on experience and operational knowledge of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT using NxStage) is strictly required.

Licensure (Strict Hard Stop): Active Wisconsin Registered Nurse (RN) License or Multi-State Compact RN License strictly verified and in hand at submittal (pending licenses cannot be submitted).

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 .

EMR Competency (Strict Hard Stop): Hands-on Epic EHR experience is strictly required.

Pre-Start Credentialing Examination: Must pass facility Telemetry / Cardiac Dysrhythmia Exam prior to start: Strict passing criteria (80% overall, 100% identification of lethal rhythms [VFib, VTach, Asystole], and zero incorrect answers on 3rd-degree heart blocks). ✨ APPLICATION PROCESS Avoid administrative processing delays on broad public job boards. Complete candidate profiles matching all clinical prerequisites receive expedited review and direct submittal consideration into the health system portal. Apply directly to this posting to lock in your file with our specialized critical care recruitment team! Click "Apply Now" to complete your screening and secure your contract!

Location Details: Assignment is located in Madison, WI 53792. ⏱️ Assignment Schedule & Hours: 13-week contract (48 hours guaranteed weekly on 12-hour Nights: 19:00 – 07:30; 40 regular hours 8 overtime hours; blocked weekend scheduling considered upon request; Every Other Weekend rotation). High-Pay Overtime Package: $3,691/week gross ($45/hr W2 base, $67.50/hr OT rate, $1,351/wk tax-free stipend).

No Standby Call: Zero standby on-call obligations.

Floating Scope: Floating to like acute inpatient units is required within scope.

Radius Rule & Policy: Travel candidates only; Strict Hard Stop: Clinicians residing within 50 miles are not accepted.

Unit Scope & Acuity: Cardiothoracic Surgery B4/5 (CVCT ICU) — 27 private ICU beds (daily census ~26; 1:1 to 1:2 ratios); Level I Trauma & Magnet facility; specializes in post-op cardiac surgery recovery, CABG, valve repairs, aortic dissections, heart/lung transplants, HM3 LVAD, Impella, IABP, and NxStage CRRT.

Mandatory Experience & Clinical Hard Stops: Minimum 2 full years of acute CVICU RN experience within the last 3 years strictly required. Level I Trauma Center experience required.

Strict Hard Stop: Documented proficiency with NxStage CRRT is strictly required.

Strict Hard Stop: Hands-on Epic EHR experience is strictly required (within past 12 months preferred). Prior travel RN experience not required.

Reference Rule: Network compliance requires that all clinical references be removed from the submittal packet. Clean background/license history.

Certification Mandate (Strict Hard Stop): Active Wisconsin or Compact Multi-State RN license strictly verified and in hand at submittal. Active AHA BLS and AHA ACLS cards strictly required at submittal. Must complete and pass strict Telemetry exam prior to start (80% passing, 100% on lethal rhythms, 0 missed on 3rd-degree heart blocks). ️ EMR System: Epic electronic health record (mandatory).

Mandatory Submittal Details: Active WI or Compact RN license, AHA BLS, and AHA ACLS cards attached. Comprehensive CVICU resume detailing open-heart recovery, Level I trauma, NxStage CRRT, and Epic skills (ensure references are omitted). Completed skills checklist. Full legal name, physical address, email, full Date of Birth (DOB), and full SSN. All Requested Time Off (RTO) must be submitted upfront at time of submittal (maximum 2 requests considered).

Compliance & Health Requirements: Flu vaccine required (medical/religious exemptions accommodated per facility protocol). COVID-19 vaccine not required.

Time Off: All RTO must be requested upfront on submission for facility review. 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