Travel Nurse RN - Stepdown
Bismarck, ND
First Connect Health
3x12 hrs, Days
Referral Bonus

Med/Tele/PCU Registered Nurse (RN) – Stepdown

Position: Med/Tele/PCU RN
Unit Type: Stepdown / Progressive Care
Department: Med/Tele RN
Shift: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM
Contract: 13 Weeks
Weekend: Every Other Weekend
Holiday: Every Other Holiday

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Med/Tele/PCU Registered Nurse (RN) to join a 32-bed stepdown unit providing telemetry and progressive care to adult and geriatric patients. This is primarily a telemetry/cardiac-focused unit with PCU-level overflow, requiring strong cardiac assessment skills, telemetry interpretation, and PCU experience.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable caring for higher-acuity patients, managing titratable cardiac medications, interpreting cardiac rhythms, and supporting patients requiring advanced respiratory therapies.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to adult and geriatric patients in a Med/Tele/PCU environment.
• Continuously monitor and interpret cardiac rhythms/telemetry strips.
• Manage patients requiring PCU-level care and higher-acuity monitoring.
• Administer and titrate IV medications according to clinical protocols.
• Monitor patients receiving Amiodarone, Cardizem, Heparin, Nitro, Nipride, Lasix, and low-dose Dopamine.
• Provide care for patients requiring BiPAP, Airvo, tracheostomy care, and other respiratory support.
• Recognize changes in patient condition and escalate care appropriately.
• Collaborate with physicians, respiratory therapists, patient care technicians, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Maintain accurate documentation in Epic EMR.

Patient Population

The unit primarily cares for adults and geriatric patients with conditions including:

• Cardiac catheterizations and EP studies
• Pacemaker patients
• Cardiac and medical patients with significant cardiac history
• Acute-on-chronic conditions
• Sepsis
• Pneumonia and COVID-19
• COVID patients requiring BiPAP
• ETOH-related conditions
• General surgical patients with cardiac history

Staffing & Patient Ratios

• Unit Capacity: 32 beds
• Standard RN Ratio: 1:4–5
• Night Ratio: Occasionally 1:5–6
• PCU-Level Patients: Approximately 1:3
• PCT Ratio Goal: 1:10
• Charge RN available on both shifts; may occasionally carry a lighter assignment of 2–3 patients.

Required Qualifications

• Active RN license
• BLS – Required
• ACLS – Required
• PCU/Progressive Care experience – Required
• Strong telemetry/cardiac nursing experience
• Ability to independently read and interpret cardiac rhythm strips – Required
• Experience with titratable cardiac medications
• Epic experience preferred
• First-time travelers are welcome if they meet the clinical requirements

Schedule & Scheduling

• Day Shift: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Night Shift: 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM
• If rotating, 7a–7p/7p–7a rotation will not occur more than once weekly.
• Scheduling is managed by the unit manager.
• Block scheduling may be considered based on unit needs.

Floating Requirements

Travelers may float as helping hands or to areas where their skill set is appropriate. Full patient assignments may include:

• PCU – full PCU assignment
• Med/Surg – full Med/Surg assignment
• ER holds/boarding patients

Orientation

• Two 12-hour unit-specific orientation shifts
• Orientation is scheduled Friday and Saturday of the first week.
• Traveler is expected to be independent by Sunday.

Why This Opportunity?

• 32-bed Med/Tele/PCU stepdown environment
• Strong cardiac and telemetry focus
• Exposure to PCU-level patients
• Advanced cardiac medication management
• Experience with BiPAP, Airvo, and tracheostomy patients
• Epic EMR preferred
• First-time travelers considered
• Supportive charge nurse coverage on both shifts