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Cardiac Critical Care RN Specialist / Night Shift
Career Development Partners
Location : Lake Forest, CA, 92630
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : $145,000 - $175,000
Date Posted : 2 December 2025
Cardiac Critical Care RN Specialist / Night Shift
Join one of the most awarded health systems in Southern California, recognized nationally for clinical excellence and nursing leadership. We are seeking a dedicated
Cardiac Critical Care RN Specialist / Night ShiftJoin one of the most awarded health systems in Southern California, recognized nationally for clinical excellence and nursing leadership. We are seeking a dedicatedRegistered Nurseto anchor the night team in our high-acuityCardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU)at our flagship Medical Center.
This is a chance to move beyond general ICU and truly specialize in advanced cardiac critical care, managing the most complex cardiovascular and medical cases during the crucial nocturnal hours.
Why This Is a Top-Tier Career Move- Magnet Recognition Leader:You will work at a facility that has achievedMagnet Designationfrom the ANCC multiple times (2012, 2017, 2021) and is currently pursuing its
- fourth consecutive designation. This recognizes the highest standard of nursing excellence and innovation—a powerful environment for professional growth.
- Specialized High-Aculty Focus:Our 27-bed CICU is a regional referral center specializing in advanced cardiac support, placing you at the forefront of treating:Pre- and Post-operative Cardiac Surgery patients.
Patients requiring
- Mechanical Circulatory Support (e.g., Impella, ECMO, VADs).
- severe heart failure, post-MI care, and cardiomyopathy.
- Advanced Technology:Gain expert proficiency with critical life-support modalities including Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP),
- CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy),
- Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) , and advanced hemodynamic monitoring (
- Swan-Ganz ).
- Mission-Driven Culture:Join a not-for-profit system with a 100+ year tradition, anchored by the promise,“Know me, care for me, ease my way.”We provide whole-person care and are committed to creating an inclusive workforce where your voice is heard and valued.
Critical patients with complex diagnoses like
As a Full-Time Night Shift RN in the CICU, you will be responsible for applying specialized clinical knowledge and independent judgment to stabilize and manage complex cardiac and critically ill medical patients.
Key Responsibilities- Advanced Hemodynamics Management:Initiate, manage, and titrate vasoactive and inotropic medications, utilizing advanced monitoring tools (like Swan-Ganz catheters) to manage complex hemodynamic instability.
- Complex Device Management:Care for patients on temporary cardiac assist devices (e.g., IABP) and provide meticulous pre- and post-procedural care for cardiac interventions.
- Intensive Medical Management:Provide expert care for high-risk medical diagnoses, includingSevere Sepsis, DKA, and Acute Respiratory Failure, often requiring mechanical ventilation and therapeutic hypothermia protocols.
- Collaborative Night Leadership:Serve as a key clinical resource during the night shift, ensuring seamless patient handoffs, rapid response to changes in condition, and effective collaboration with Intensivists and multi-disciplinary teams.
- Experience:Minimum ofone (1) yearof recent, full-time work experience in an acute care (hospital)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting. (Student clinical experience is not considered).
- License:Current and activeCalifornia Registered Nurse (RN) Licenseupon hire.
- Certifications (Must have upon hire):
National Provider
- BLS - American Heart Association
- ACLS - American Heart Association
- Education:Graduation from an accredited nursing program (Bachelor's Degree preferred).
National Provider
We offer a best-in-class benefits package designed to support your total well-being, professional growth, and financial security:
- Competitive Base Salary:Starting between$110,760 and $171,974, plus applicable night shift differentials, premium pay, and potential bonus opportunities.
- Financial Security:Retirement401(k) Savings Plan with employer matching.
- Health & Wellness:Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Professional Development:Tuition Reimbursementand dedicated resources for ongoing training and advancement.
If you are an experienced ICU nurse ready to specialize and lead the night shift in one of the nation's premier Cardiac Critical Care Units, we invite you to explore this highly impactful role.
Freqently Asked Questions
Working as a Cardiac Critical Care RN Specialist during night hours means managing more complex cardiovascular cases, including patients on advanced devices like ECMO and IABP. Unlike general ICU roles, this position requires specialized skills in cardiac hemodynamics and nocturnal critical care interventions.
In Lake Forest’s advanced cardiac units, expertise in managing mechanical circulatory support devices and familiarity with California's RN licensure rules are crucial. Proficiency in handling post-op cardiac surgery patients and advanced monitoring technologies sets local specialists apart.
Yes, specializing in cardiac critical care at prestigious Southern California facilities opens doors to leadership roles such as clinical nurse specialist or nurse educator. Magnet-recognized hospitals often support continuous education, enhancing growth prospects in this niche.
Career Development Partners provides tailored education resources and tuition reimbursement to help cardiac critical care RNs master cutting-edge technologies and protocols, fostering professional growth within their night shift teams.
Night shift cardiac critical care RNs at Career Development Partners can expect base salaries ranging from $110,760 to $171,974, complemented by shift differentials and bonus opportunities, reflecting the high acuity and expertise required.
Lake Forest, CA, has a growing demand for cardiac critical care nurses due to its expanding healthcare infrastructure and aging population. Hospitals seek RNs with acute cardiac expertise, especially for night shifts, making this a highly competitive but rewarding market.
Beyond a valid California RN license, certifications like ACLS and BLS are mandatory, while additional credentials in critical care nursing or cardiac life support elevate a candidate’s qualifications for specialized night roles.
Night shift RNs act as crucial liaisons, coordinating swiftly with intensivists, respiratory therapists, and cardiac surgeons to manage complex cases. Their leadership ensures seamless handoffs and rapid interventions in high-stress nocturnal environments.
Adapting to night shifts involves managing circadian rhythm changes while handling advanced life-support devices and critical post-op care. New specialists must quickly develop autonomous decision-making skills under less direct supervision.
Night shift roles can affect sleep cycles and social life, but many nurses in Lake Forest find that higher pay rates and focused shifts offer financial benefits and dedicated downtime. Access to local wellness resources supports their overall well-being.
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