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RN - Stepdown / Intermediate Care / Progressive Care Unit (PCU)

RN - Stepdown / Intermediate Care / Progressive Care Unit (PCU)

This checklist was electronically signed on September 12, 2026

Instructions: This checklist is meant to serve as a general guideline for our client facilities as to the level of your skills within your nursing specialty. Please use the scale below to describe your experience/expertise in each area listed below.

Proficiency Scale:

1 = No Experience

2 = Need Training

3 = Able to perform with supervision

4 = Able to perform independently

PATIENT RIGHTS

Communicate and obtain information while respecting patient rights, privacy, and confidentiality of information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
Involve the patient and family and respect their role in determining the nature of care to be provided
Meet patient's and families' needs regarding communication, including interpreter services
Provide accurate information to patients and families in a timely manner

COMMUNICATION

Communicate with patients and their companions in a courteous manner
Understand the chain of communication, who to contact, and when
Listen actively to patient concerns and address them appropriately.
Cultural Sensitivity and Language Skills

GENERAL INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES

Aseptic Technique
Standard Precaution
Universal Precaution

TRANSMISSION-BASED PROTOCOL

Airborne Precaution
Contact Precaution
Droplet Precaution
Reverse Precaution

PATIENT OBSERVATIONS AND RECORDINGS

Respiratory
Cardiovascular
Neurological
Glasgow Coma Scale
Gastrointestinal
Psychological
Pressure Area Care
Dietary Requirements
Fluid Balance Charts

EKG

12 Lead
Arrhythmias
Lead Placement
Interpretation

LAB RESULT INTERPRETATION

Blood Gases
Blood Chemistry
Cardiac enzymes/isoenzymes
CBC
Coagulation studies
Electrolytes
Urine dipstick

IV THERAPY

Initiating IV’s
Blood Product Administration
Administration of Chemotherapy
Arterial Line Management
Central Line/Implanted Line Care
Central Line Blood Draws
Heparin Drip (Precautions and Maintenance)
Assisting with Insertion of PICC Lines
Care and Maintenance of PICC Lines
Assist with IC Cutdown
Phlebitis
Chemotherapy drug administration
Discontinue Peripheral IV

SPECIMEN COLLECTION

Blood via femoral artery
Blood via radial artery
Blood via arterial line
Blood via central line
Blood via venous line
Cultures
Sputum
Urine

SUCTIONING

ET tube - closed
ET tube - open
Nasal-pharyngeal
Tracheostomy
Oral/Yankauer

NEUROLOGY

Neuro Assessment/Neuro Vitals
ICP Monitoring
Seizure Precautions
Stryker Frame
Crutchfield Tongs
Halo Traction

CARE OF PATIENT WITH NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Spinal Cord Injury
Pre/Post Neurological Surgery
CNS Infections
Degenerative Diseases of the Nervous System
Drug Overdose
Acute Head injury
Cerebral Aneurysm
Acute/Chronic C.V.A/T.I.A.
Rehabilitation of the Neuro Patient

CARDIOVASCULAR

Acute Coronary Syndrome
Angina
Congestive Heart Failure
Post Open Heart (12-24 hours)
Carotid Endarterectomy
Post Vascular Surgery
Heart Transplant
Pacemaker - Temporary/Permanent
Pacemaker - Epicardial
Sheath Removal
Open Sternal Wound (Debridement)
Heart Sounds
Dysrhythmia Interpretation
Dysrhythmia Management
Malignant Hyperthermia
Cardioversion
Defibrillation

PULMONARY

Assessment of breath sounds
Assist with set-up maintenance of chest tubes
Use of chest drainage systems
Assist with intubation/extubation
Ambubaging technique
Administer oxygen (nasal canula, mask, endotracheal)
Assist with and setting up for bronchoscopy

CARE OF PATIENT WITH PULMONARY CONDITIONS

Pulmonary emboli
Tracheostomy
Pre/post thoracic surgery
COPD
ARDS

GASTROINTESTINAL

Assessment of bowel sounds
Identification of abnormalities
Stool tests
Insert/Maintain Feeding tubes/NG tubes
Identification of NG/tube feeding placement
Administration of tube feedings
Checking tube feeding residuals
Care of Ostomy patient
Care of acute GI bleed
Abdominal wounds or infections
Pre/post-op GI Surgery
Dehiscence
Care of patient on Total Parenteral Nutrition

GENTOURINARY/ RENAL

Ability to insert/maintain urinary drainage tubes
Acute renal failure
Chronic renal failure
Post renal/genitourinary surgery
Pre/post-op renal transplant
Suprapubic catheters
Care of patient receiving dialysis
Assessment of fluid and electrolyte problems

ENDOCRINE

Diabetes - Hypo/Hyperglycemic Crisis
Pituitary Disorders
IV Insulin Protocols
Indwelling Insulin Pumps
Diabetic Ketoacidosis

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Fall Risk Assessment/Prevention
Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment/Prevention
Restraints/Use of Least Restrictive Device
Infection Prevention
Patient/Family Teaching

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Pain assessment using pain scales
Epidural analgesia
IV conscious sedation
Patient controlled analgesia (PCA)
Narcotic Agents
Non-narcotic agents
Non-pharmacological measures

PROCEDURES / SKILLS

Intestinal Tract Tube Insertion/Care
Gastrostomy tubes
Jejunostomy
Nasogastric tubes
Orogastric tubes
Intraaortic Balloon Pump
Intracranial Pressure Monitoring
Hyperbaric Oxygenation
Hyperalimentation
Intralipids
Isolation Procedures
Lumbar Puncture (assist with)
Nerve Stimulators
A/V Fistula Care
Bronchoscopy
Cast Care
Chest Physiotherapy
Bladder irrigation
Gastric Lavage/ Gavage

BLOOD INTRAVENOUS INFUSIONS

Albumin
Auto infusion
Cryoprecipitate
Fresh frozen plasma (FFP)
Packed RBCs
Whole blood
Platelets

MEDICATIONS

Antiarrhythmic Drugs
Anticholinergic
Anticoagulants/Thrombolytics
Antidiabetic Drugs
Anti-Infectives
Anti-Inflammatory/Analgesic Drugs
Antihyperlipidemic Drugs
Antihypertensive
NS Stimulants
Diuretics
Electrolyte Therapy
Gastrointestinal Drugs
Hormones
Mental Health Medications
Muscle Relaxants
Narcotics/Opioids
Neurocognitive Drugs
Neuromuscular Blocking Agent
Ophthalmic
Pulmonary Drugs
Steroids
Vaccines

AUTOMATED MEDICATION DISPENSING SYSTEMS

Accudose
Metro
Omnicell
Promanager Rx
Pyxis
eMAR

ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION

Allscripts
Care360
Cerner
CPSI
eCLinicalWorks
Eclipsys
EPIC
MACLAB
McKesson/Paragon
Meditech
PACS
Quadramed
Soarian

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Newborn/Neonate (birth to 30 days)
Infant (31 days to 12 months)
Toddler (1-3 years)
Preschooler (3-5 years)
School-age children (5-12 years)
Adolescents (12-18 years)
Young Adults (18 - 39 years)
Middle Adults (39-64 years)
Older Adults (64-79 years)
Elderly adults (80+ years)