PCU stands for "progressive care unit." Patients on PCU floors require more monitoring and assessment than patients on regular hospital floors, but their conditions are stable enough to avoid the ICU (intensive care unit). Apply today for our Cardiac Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse PRN opportunity. Cardiovascular Progressive Care, 5 South VUH | Vanderbilt Nursing - VUMC Sometimes a progressive care unit can even be classified as a specialized care unit depending on what the specific facility needs and entails. Knowledge in managing complex devices, such as LVADs is something a cardiac progressive care nurse will need to know., In most facilities, nurses will be required to stay current with telemetry competencies, as well advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS).. New masking guidelines are in effect starting April 24. We get the patients from the ICU when they are ready to transfer. In addition, there are many cases where the progressive care unit in a facility will require PCU nurses to have a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree or a certification in telemetry proficiency.. 60227: Interprofessional Guide to Pain Management Typically progressive care patients have cardiac diagnoses ranging from post-stent placement, post-cardiac cath, heart attack, congestive heart failure, and more. They both specialize in monitoring and treating patients who need 24-hour care. Because the staff for the PCU operates somewhere between the basic level of care and the highly-specialized level of care required in the ICU, the AACN formed the Progressive Care Task Force in 2000 to ensure the PCU staff is sufficiently trained for the level of care patients need. These wards are equipped to provide specialized treatment for heart conditions and are staffed with medical personnel trained in cardiac care. My husband was admitted to a Progressive Care Unit. A telemetry nurse specializes in using medical tools to monitor a patients health. The Association also grants other credentials related to critical care, including CCRN, CCRN-K, and CCRN-E. PCU patients require more nursing care than is available on general nursing units. Many hospitals are running out of ICU beds, supplies, and experienced staff. Full Time Registered Nurse Cardiac Progressive Care Unit Adult cardiology; Left Ventricular Assist Devices, Post interventional cardiology procedures. Nurses may have to calculate medication dosages for continuous intravenous (IV) medications. Th. This may result in a slightly longer orientation period.