Stepdown RN
Memphis, Tennessee
Methodist University Hospital

Stepdown Registered Nurse (Med Surg Overflow / Neuro Exp)

Location: Memphis, Tennessee Employment type: Travel/Contract Contract length: 13 weeks Start date: ASAP Hospital setting: Short-term acute care, Level I Trauma Center

Schedule and Staffing

• Shift: Nights, 3x12-hour shifts (19:00 to 07:00), 36 hours per week. Shifts may be 36 or 48 hours, and the schedule may change based on staffing needs.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:12 team nursing, split between 2 RNs, 2 LPNs, a medication nurse, and a charge nurse.
• On-call: As needed.
• Weekends: As needed, on a rotation.
• Block schedule: Not open to accommodating a block schedule. A weekend block may be considered.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Tennessee
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• 2 years of stepdown experience
• Stepdown experience within the last year
• One completed travel assignment
• Experience working with Level 1 Trauma patients
• Experience in a large hospital setting
• Neurology experience
• Basic Life Support (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• NIHSS certification
• Valid driver's license

Certifications and Licenses

• State license: Tennessee RN license or multistate license required
• ACLS: Required for stepdown. Accepted from AHA or ARC only.
• BLS: Required. Accepted from AHA or ARC only.
• NIH Stroke Certification: Required for RNs, renewed annually. It does not have to be from AHA.

Background and Compliance

• Background check: Completed within 60 days of start. Covers the past 7 years and all states and counties lived or worked in, including statewide, county, and federal searches, plus education verification. International searches are not required. Pending searches are not accepted.
• Education verification: Required. A diploma or transcript does not substitute for it.
• Sex offender search: Required, run separately from the background check.
• Tennessee Adult Abuse Registry: Required, since the facility is in Tennessee.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG: Required within 30 days of start and annually after.
• E-Verify: Required, or attestation for APN candidates.
• Drug screen: Negative 10-panel drug screen completed within 60 days of start. Pending results and instant-test placeholders are not accepted.

Health and Immunizations

• Physical statement: Required within 1 year of start. It must attest to the ability to meet the job's physical demands and to good physical health.
• TB screening: A 2-step PPD, Q-Gold, or T-spot within 1 year of start. An indeterminate or borderline IGRA requires a retest. If positive, a clear chest X-ray from the past 2 years is required, plus an annual TB questionnaire.
• N95 fit test: Required before start and within 1 year. Only 3M N-95 1860 and 1870+ masks are accepted. Documentation must clearly state "pass" with no limitations. PAPR hoods are not available, so candidates must pass a 3M N-95 fit test. Candidates who fail due to facial hair must shave and retest.
• Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella: Proof of 2 vaccines (preferred) or a positive antibody titer. For low or equivocal titers, 2 booster doses are required before clearance. Immunization pocket cards and declinations are not accepted.
• Hepatitis B: Copy of the 3-shot series, a positive titer, or a signed declination.
• Influenza (2026-27): Required by October 23. Travelers starting on or after September 21 must be compliant before starting work. Vaccines are not available onsite. Documentation must include candidate name, date of birth, vaccine type, administration date, lot number, expiration date, and the administering location. Medical or religious exemptions must be requested by October 9 and are reviewed by a panel. Approval is not guaranteed, and approved exemptions require a mask in all patient areas. Exemption review can take 2 to 3 weeks and may delay start.

Documents and Onboarding

• Submission packet: Submission form, application, two recent professional references, skills checklist, state license verification (RN), and certification information.
• Performance evaluation: Required if the candidate has been with their agency for a year or more. Internal evaluation only, since the facility does not complete hospital evaluations.
• Skills checklist: Required for the applicable unit and updated annually.
• Identification: Two forms of government-issued ID.
• Confidentiality acknowledgment: Must be signed before start.
• Onsite fit test: Completed onsite using the facility's form, due Thursday at 2 PM prior to start, and brought on the first day.
• EMR questionnaire: Required for RNs. Software familiarity only, not a credential.
• Photo badge: Must be received by Tuesday close of business before a Monday start. The facility will not clear the candidate or issue a badge without it. Photo guidelines: head and shoulders, facing forward, plain background, neutral expression, taken within the past 6 months, and no filters. Glasses are only allowed if prescription, and facial piercings must be removed or be flesh-toned.
• Scrubs: Navy blue for RNs. No prints or embroidery.
• Submission rules: Do not submit a traveler to more than one job ID or facility. Travelers submitted to multiple will be removed and asked to choose a top choice.
• Restrictions: Does not accept first-time travelers. Does not accept local candidates (100-mile radius rule). Does not accept pending licenses. All travelers must comply with NLC guidelines. All restrictions (RTO) must be included at submission and will not be sent for approval after an offer.