Step Down Registered Nurse
Chesapeake, VA
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Days

Travel Registered Nurse (Step Down)

Location: Chesapeake, Virginia
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Work in a general Step Down Unit (SDU) with diverse patient populations including pulmonary (acute respiratory failure, pneumonia, COPD exacerbation, CHF exacerbation), cardiac (NSTEMI/STEMI not requiring ICU, post-cardiac cath, CHF/CMO requiring BIPAP/diuresis, AFIB with RVR, complete heart block awaiting AICD/Pacemaker), sepsis (not requiring pressors), minor trauma (fractures), CIWA, DKA requiring insulin gtt, and occasional surgical patients (vascular surgery, post-op complications).
• Typical nurse-to-patient ratios: 1:4, sometimes 1:5. Floating assignments may require ratios of 1:6 to 1:7.
• Floating required to other units such as MS/Tele, ER Holding, etc.
• No block scheduling; shifts include weekdays, every other weekend (EOW), float, and holidays within the contract.

Required Qualifications

• License: Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Virginia.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of nursing experience required; preference for 3+ years.
• Prior Travel Experience: Preferred but not explicitly required.
• Certifications:

  • BLS (Basic Life Support) - American Heart Association (AHA) only
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA only
  • NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification required, must be current within 1 year and renewed annually
• Skills:

  • Proficient with ventilators, IV starts, telemetry, PA lines, conscious sedation, neuro IV titration, insulin IV infusion
  • Strong neuro experience required
• Electronic Medical Record: EPIC proficiency is mandatory (no exceptions).
• Other: Must be willing to float; no candidates residing within 50 miles of the facility will be accepted.

Patient Care Environment

• Step Down Unit with a variety of medical, cardiac, pulmonary, neuro, and minor trauma patients.
• Exposure to acute respiratory failure, cardiac arrhythmias, sepsis, diabetic ketoacidosis, and post-surgical care.

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Background check: 7-year criminal history check with zero tolerance for any hits.
• Government-issued photo ID and valid driver’s license required for address verification.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start, updated annually.
• Fit test for N95 mask within 1 year, updated annually (PAPR not allowed).
• Immunizations and titers required within 10 years or appropriate declinations:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (required for some units, preferred for others)
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year, with additional documentation if history of positive TB.
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 12 months of start.
• Seasonal flu vaccination required annually (or approved exemption with mask-wearing).
• COVID vaccine preferred but not required; documentation collected if available.
• Pass/fail EKG/medication competency testing required at orientation (80% minimum score, one attempt only).
• Various facility-specific documents and acknowledgments required (e.g., safety manual, pyxis acknowledgment).
• Fingerprinting required as per Virginia state regulations, to be completed within the first week of contract start.

Additional Notes

• Floating is mandatory and includes coverage in multiple units with varying patient acuity and nurse-to-patient ratios.
• No block scheduling; flexibility with shifts including weekends and holidays is required.
• Candidates must have no prior license or background issues.
• Must provide all required documentation at time of submission including NURSYS report and Qualivis submission form.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a dynamic Step Down Unit in Coastal Virginia with a diverse patient population and requires strong clinical skills, flexibility, and adherence to strict compliance standards.