What does a progressive care unit nurse do?

Progressive care unit nurses are a key part of the care team in hospitals’ progressive care or step-down care units. After patients finish their treatment in various specialty units elsewhere, such as the cardiac unit, they’re often transferred into progressive care for recovery and health monitoring.

The role of a progressive care nurse is to monitor and report on patients’ conditions and progress, respond to emergencies and assist hospital physicians in treating people who may soon be released from hospital inpatient care. A progressive care unit’s nurses have duties that change from day to day, and even by the minute.

Much of the work they do centers on assessing and tracking changes in patients’ conditions and reporting this information to the doctor heading the treatment team. They also frequently change dressings, provide wound care and perform minor bedside procedures, such as IV or catheterization.

Progressive care unit nurse skills and qualifications

The professionals who work as progressive care unit nurses must have a wide variety of relevant skills, starting with a keen attention to detail that can help them spot warning signs in patients’ conditions. They must be diligent and empathetic about meeting their patients’ needs and work well as part of a team. Other skills and qualifications progressive care unit nurse careers call for include:

• Current nursing certification from the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
• Training in emergency response, disease control and the specific procedures they are likely to assist with
• Progressive Care Nursing (PCCN) certification
• A high degree of organizational and time-management skills
• The ability to work overtime, stand for long periods, lift moderate weight and adjust to demanding situations as they emerge

Progressive care unit nurse experience requirements

Most progressive care unit nurses come to the position with a few years of experience in nursing. To earn a PCCN certificate, nurse candidates must have 1,750 hours of documented experience working with acutely ill patients in a clinical setting. Many, if not most, progressive care unit nurses have bachelors’ degrees in nursing (BSN), and some in leading positions have earned masters’ degrees (MSN).

Patients in progressive care are often critically ill or recovering from serious medical procedures. For this reason, progressive care unit nurses are usually experienced in other departments or have several years’ experience in nursing outside of a hospital setting, such as a nursing home.

Progressive care unit nurse education and training requirements

Progressive care nurses must, at a minimum, possess current certification to work as nurses, as established by the NCLEX-RN exam. Certification to work in progressive care is issued by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) and is known as a PCCN certificate. Another credential, the PCCN-K, is awarded to progressive care educators.

Job description samples for similar positions

If the description of progressive care unit nurse job duties doesn’t match the role your care unit needs to fill, take a look at these descriptions for similar jobs:

• Charge Nurse
• ER Nurse
• Pediatric Nurse
• Home Health Nurse

Progressive care unit nurse job description FAQs

Do progressive care unit nurses work long hours?

Progressive care unit nurses work regular shifts, but they have to be flexible to meet patients’ needs. Overtime is often available, and it may be mandatory if the needs of the patients demand it.

What’s the difference between PCU and ICU care?

Progressive care acts as a bridge between intensive care and the medical-surgical unit. Patients in the PCU require less intensive monitoring than ICU patients.

Is there room to advance as a progressive care nurse?

Progressive care nurses with experience may advance to lead nurses in charge of a team or to nurse manager jobs.