Jobloria
Cardiac Critical Care RN Specialist / Night Shift
Horizon Search, Inc.
Location : Mission Viejo, CA, 92691
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : $145,000 - $175,000
Date Posted : 2 December 2025
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 in this specialized cardiac ICU means managing complex cases with less immediate onsite support, requiring heightened autonomy. You’ll oversee critical interventions like vasoactive medication titration and advanced device care during hours when patient stability can fluctuate rapidly, demanding sharp clinical judgment.
Beyond the required BLS and ACLS, certifications like CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) and cardiac-specific credentials are highly regarded in California’s top-tier cardiac units. These credentials demonstrate proficiency in managing advanced cardiac technologies and complex ICU cases, enhancing both clinical effectiveness and employability.
Expertise with devices such as intra-aortic balloon pumps, ECMO, and continuous renal replacement therapy is essential. Night shift specialists often leverage hemodynamic monitoring tools like Swan-Ganz catheters to vigilantly manage critically unstable cardiac patients, ensuring timely adjustments during less staffed hours.
Mission Viejo’s demand for skilled cardiac ICU nurses is robust due to its growing healthcare infrastructure. While competition exists, particularly for night shifts, candidates with specialized cardiac critical care experience and advanced certifications generally find favorable hiring prospects in this region.
Night shift commute in Mission Viejo may offer less traffic congestion compared to daytime, yet safety and reliable transportation remain priorities. Nurses often weigh proximity to major freeways and availability of night-time public transit or parking when selecting this shift in the city’s healthcare hubs.
This specialist role demands mastery in managing cardiac assist devices, titrating complex vasoactive drug regimens, and interpreting advanced hemodynamic data. Unlike general ICU nursing, it requires deep cardiac pathophysiology knowledge, especially in postoperative cardiac surgery and severe cardiovascular conditions.
Horizon Search’s commitment to whole-person care and an inclusive culture fosters a respectful environment where night shift RNs are empowered to lead clinical decisions. Their magnet-recognized system supports continuous learning, ensuring nurses feel valued and supported despite the challenges of nocturnal critical care.
Salaries typically start around $110,760 and can reach up to $171,974 annually, with night shift differentials and bonuses potentially increasing total compensation. This reflects the specialized skills and demanding nature of cardiac critical care nursing in a high-acuity southern California medical center.
At Horizon Search, night shift cardiac specialists gain exposure to cutting-edge cardiac support technologies and complex case management in a magnet-designated environment, accelerating clinical expertise and leadership opportunities. This focused experience positions nurses for advanced roles in cardiovascular critical care and clinical education.
Horizon Search’s flagship CICU offers a specialized 27-bed unit with a strong emphasis on advanced cardiac interventions and continuous innovation. The night shift role is distinguished by both the complexity of patients managed and the magnet-recognized culture prioritizing nursing excellence and professional development.
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