RN Stepdown Care Unit
Peoria, IL
GHR Healthcare - PH Division
3x12 hrs

Registered Nurse – Stepdown Care Unit

Location: Peoria, Illinois
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit Overview

• Stepdown unit with 20 beds (8 private, remainder semi-private)
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: typically 3:1
• Patient population includes a wide range of medical conditions such as COPD, CHF, diabetes, sepsis, renal issues, DKA, alcohol withdrawal, overdoses, pneumonia, respiratory conditions, some neuro/surgical/cardiac patients
• Frequent use of BiPAP, CPAP, face mask ventilators, tracheostomies, ventilated trach patients, chest tubes, G-tubes, NG tubes, PICC lines, central lines

Required Certifications & Experience

• BLS (AHA) required
• ACLS recommended
• Must have ICU or Intermediate (Stepdown) nursing experience with nurse-to-patient ratios of 3:1 or 2:1
• Progressive care or telemetry experience alone is not sufficient
• Must have trach and ventilator experience (frequent trach/vent patients on unit)
• Experience with titrating drips is required

Clinical Responsibilities

• RNs are required to titrate drips including Cardene, Cardizem, Amiodarone, Dobutamine, Heparin, and low-dose/infrequent vasopressors
• Charge nurse present on each shift; usually does not take patient assignments unless staffing is limited
• House supervisor available 24/7
• Two patient care technicians (PCTs) per shift, each caring for up to 10 patients if unit is full
• All patients are on bedside monitors (Phillips brand); telemonitor techs interpret strips, RNs confirm readings

Scheduling & Work Environment

• 12-hour shifts (7am–7pm or 7pm–7am)
• Travel RNs coordinate scheduling with unit supervisor; block scheduling is possible
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend (night shift Fri/Sat, day shift Sat/Sun)
• Holiday requirement: every other major holiday rotation, with companion day off for major holidays
• No call or standby requirement
• Travel RNs are first to float; may float to ICU (if experienced), other Stepdown, or General Medicine units
• Typical patient assignments by unit: ICU (2 patients), Stepdown (3 patients), General Medicine (5-6 patients)
• Dress code: any scrub color allowed

Orientation

• 1 day EPIC training
• 1 day unit orientation with educator
• 1 day floor orientation with RN preceptor

Required Qualifications

• Active Illinois RN license or proof that application process has been initiated
• Negative drug screen required (drug-free campus policy)

Additional Notes

• Local placements accepted within a 50-mile radius
• Non-billable orientation hours: 12 hours
• Call-off policy allows 12 hours off every 13 weeks without penalty

Prior Travel Experience: Not explicitly required for this position.