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 night shifts as a Cardiac Critical Care RN Specialist in Mission Viejo requires heightened vigilance and stamina due to reduced staff and critical patient needs. Nurses often develop specialized routines to manage circadian rhythm changes while delivering acute cardiac care in fast-paced ICU environments.
This specialist role demands advanced knowledge in cardiac pathophysiology, proficiency with invasive monitoring, and swift intervention skills during cardiac emergencies. Unlike general critical care nurses, they focus deeply on cardiac-specific protocols, often managing complex arrhythmias and post-surgical cardiac patients.
While some facilities prefer experienced RNs, new grads with critical care certifications and cardiac-focused clinical rotations may enter these roles. Night shift openings sometimes offer opportunities for motivated new grads who show competency in cardiac assessments and critical thinking under pressure.
Employers in Mission Viejo highly value certifications like CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) and cardiac-specific credentials such as CMC (Cardiac Medicine Certification). Local hospitals emphasize these credentials to ensure nurses meet regional standards for acute cardiac care excellence.
Mission Viejo's proximity to major medical centers creates moderate competition for cardiac ICU travel nurses. Demand spikes seasonally, but the availability of attractive shift differentials and housing stipends makes it appealing for travel nurses with cardiac critical care expertise.
Lordan Associates promotes continuous education and mentorship within their cardiac critical care teams, especially for night shifts. Their programs often include access to specialty workshops and collaboration with cardiology nurse practitioners, enhancing skills and career trajectories for RN specialists.
At Lordan Associates, this role is uniquely structured to integrate advanced cardiac protocols with flexible scheduling for night shifts. The company emphasizes a patient-centered approach combined with modern telemetry technologies, fostering a supportive environment for cardiac nursing professionals.
Cardiac Critical Care RN Specialists in Mission Viejo typically earn between $95,000 and $120,000 annually, reflecting the region's cost of living and demand. This range is competitive but slightly lower than larger metro areas like Los Angeles or San Francisco, where salaries can exceed $130,000.
Night shift specialists focus on continuous cardiac monitoring, administering complex medications, and responding to emergent arrhythmias. They coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to stabilize patients post-cardiac surgery and ensure critical interventions are timely throughout overnight hours.
Urgent care RNs in Mission Viejo handle a broader range of non-life-threatening conditions with faster patient turnover, whereas Cardiac Critical Care RN Specialists manage intensive, life-critical cardiac cases often requiring invasive monitoring and prolonged patient stabilization in ICU settings.
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