Pediatric Stepdown RN
Chicago, IL
Access Healthcare
4x12 hrs, Nights

Job Opportunity: Pediatric Stepdown Registered Nurse (RN) - Travel/Contract

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Contract Length: 13 weeks (approximately 3 months)
Specialty: Registered Nurse - Pediatric Stepdown (PICU experience preferred)
Employment Type: Travel/Contract

Job Description

• Work on a unique inpatient pediatric stepdown unit with 39 beds, caring for patients aged 2 weeks to 18 years.
• Patient population includes multiple specialties; 50-60% of patients have some form of technology dependence (e.g., ventilators, tracheostomies, G tubes).
• Acute care unit focused on children with chronic illnesses; no drips or surgical patients.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3-4 (1:4 ratio experience required).
• Weekend shifts required every other weekend.
• Floating within scope of practice to meet facility needs.
• Open to block scheduling.
• Locals accepted at the same rate as travelers.
• Pending Illinois RN license accepted, but active IL RN license required at time of submission (compact licenses not accepted).
• Start date: ASAP.

Required Experience & Certifications

• Minimum 2 years of nursing experience required.
• Prior travel experience not required.
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) experience preferred.
• Experience with ventilators, tracheostomies, and G tubes required.
• Meditech electronic charting experience required.
• Certifications required at time of submission:

  • Valid Illinois RN license (active, not compact)
  • BCLS (Basic Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• Preferred but not required:

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Procedure)

Work Schedule & Hours

• Guaranteed hours based on shift length:

  • 36 hours for 3 shifts of 12 hours
  • 48 hours for 4 shifts of 12 hours
  • 40 hours for shifts less than 12 hours (8- or 10-hour shifts)

Additional Requirements

• Flu vaccine required (medical and religious exemptions accepted).
• COVID-19 vaccination required; exemptions not accepted. Booster preferred.
• Drug screening within 30 days prior to start, covering a comprehensive panel.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start date.
• Immunizations and titers required or proof of vaccination for:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within past 10 years)
  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year.
• Background checks including 7-year history, sex offender registry, abuse registry, education verification, and state-specific searches.
• Completion of facility-specific orientation and competency exams.
• References required: 2 professional references for travel/allied/per diem acute care roles.

Facility & Environment

• Children's hospital setting.
• Total staffed beds: 62.
• Scrub color: Any neat and clean color; pediatric-themed encouraged.
• Free parking available.
• Charting system: Meditech.

This position is ideal for experienced pediatric stepdown nurses comfortable with technology-dependent patients and looking for a travel contract in a specialized pediatric acute care environment.