Travel Nurse RN - Stepdown
Galesburg, IL
First Connect Health
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Stepdown / Tele Intermediate Registered Nurse (RN)

Position: Stepdown / Tele Intermediate Registered Nurse (RN)
Department: Tele Intermediate
Shift: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM / 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM
Shift Length: 12 Hours
Patient Ratio: 1:4–5
EMR: Epic
Weekend: Every Other Weekend — Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Holiday: Every Other Holiday
Call: None
Floating: Required

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Stepdown / Tele Intermediate Registered Nurse (RN) to join a 26-bed Tele Intermediate unit within the OSF healthcare system.

This unit provides care to a diverse population of higher-acuity medical and cardiac patients, including CHF, COVID pneumonia, atrial fibrillation with RVR, tachycardia/bradycardia syndromes, and syncope. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with telemetry monitoring, cardiac medications, and non-invasive respiratory support.

Unit Details

• Unit: Tele Intermediate / Stepdown
• Beds: 26
• RN-to-Patient Ratio: 1:4–5
• Tech Ratio: Approximately 1:9
• EMR: Epic
• Central Telemetry: Monitor technician available
• Charge Nurse: Charge RN takes a patient assignment
• RT Coverage: 24/7
• Pharmacy: 24/7 support
• Hospitalist: In-house 7:00 AM–5:00 PM
• APN available in-house after hospitalist hours with e-hospitalist support
• No IV team; nursing manages IV-related care.
• Nursing does not mix medications.

Common Diagnoses

The unit commonly cares for patients with:

• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• COVID pneumonia
• Atrial Fibrillation with RVR
• Tachycardia/Bradycardia Syndrome
• Syncope
• Other complex medical and cardiac conditions requiring intermediate-level monitoring

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to Stepdown/Tele Intermediate patients.
• Perform detailed assessments and ongoing monitoring.
• Monitor and respond appropriately to cardiac rhythms through centralized telemetry.
• Administer and manage cardiac and critical-care medications.
• Manage Cardizem, Lasix, renal-dose Dopamine, and Nitro as ordered.
• Care for patients requiring BiPAP, CPAP, and high-flow/Vapotherm therapy.
• Recognize changes in patient condition and escalate care appropriately.
• Collaborate with hospitalists, APNs, respiratory therapists, pharmacy, and the interdisciplinary care team.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in Epic.
• Provide patient education and safe discharge planning.

Required Credentials

• Active Illinois RN License – Required
• BLS – Required
• ACLS – Required

Schedule

12-Hour Shifts:

• 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM
• 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM

Weekend: Every other weekend — Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Holiday: Every other holiday

Call: No call requirement

Block Scheduling: Not guaranteed; the facility will make reasonable efforts to accommodate consecutive night shifts when possible.

Floating Requirements

Travelers are expected to float based on hospital staffing needs.

When floating, travelers will maintain the same patient ratio appropriate to the assigned unit, with an expected ratio of approximately 1:5.

Orientation

• 1 shift: General hospital orientation
• 2 shifts: Unit-specific orientation
  • 1 day shift
  • 1 night shift

Total orientation: 3 shifts

OSF Assignment Policies

Local Rate

• Applies to clinicians with a permanent address within 50 miles of the facility.
• Local rate is $25 lower than the regular and OT bill rates.

Call-Off Policy

• OSF may call off the equivalent of 12 hours during a 13-week assignment.
• No penalty or payment is required for the cancelled shift under this policy.

Orientation

• 12 hours of orientation are non-billable.
• Guaranteed hours do not apply during orientation.

Additional Highlights

• 26-bed Tele Intermediate / Stepdown unit
• 1:4–5 RN-to-patient ratio
• Central telemetry with monitor technician support
• Cardizem, Lasix, renal Dopamine, and Nitro experience
• BiPAP, CPAP, and high-flow/Vapotherm exposure
• 24/7 Respiratory Therapy
• 24/7 pharmacy support
• Epic EMR
• No call requirement
• Structured 3-shift orientation
• Every other weekend and holiday requirement
• Travelers accepted with required floating flexibility