Travel Nurse RN - Cardiac Stepdown
Omaha, Nebraska
CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center Bergan Mercy

Registered Nurse (RN) – CVU 5E (Cardiac/Vascular Unit)

Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights (12-hour shifts, 1830-0700)
Hours per Week: 36 hours
Unit Type: Combined Cardio/General ICU, PCU, MedSurg (HVI Unit)
Beds: 18
Nurse-to-Patient Ratio:

• 1:4 general
• 1:3 for post-surgical patients (first 24 hours)

Job Description

• Provide nursing care for patients requiring intermediate care and downgraded CVICU patients.
• Unit supports thoracic program, electrophysiology, cath lab, and structural heart services.
• Common patient diagnoses include CVAs, CHF, A-fib with RVR, and other cardiac/vascular conditions.
• RNs are required to titrate drips such as amiodarone, nitroglycerin, nicardipine, epinephrine, diltiazem, and other blood pressure management medications.
• RNs must read and interpret telemetry strips; remote tele techs are present.
• Respiratory therapy equipment includes BiPAP, CPAP, and nasal cannula; RNs troubleshoot but do not manage these devices.
• Hospitalist and intensivist coverage is available 24/7; cardiology is on call after hours.
• Respiratory therapists are present in the ICU 24/7.
• Charge nurse is present on each shift but rarely takes patient assignments.
• Patient care techs/nurse aides are assigned at a ratio of 1:18.
• Floating to units of same or lower acuity is required.
• Dress code: Navy blue scrubs.
• Orientation is tailored to experience, typically 1-2 shifts on the unit.
• Weekend work every other weekend is required.
• Scheduling is managed by the unit manager; no self-scheduling or block scheduling.
• No call or standby requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Current RN license valid in Nebraska.
• Minimum 1 year of experience caring for cardiac/vascular intermediate care or CVICU patients.
• Certifications:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
  • NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Must pass a 90% or higher on a pass/fail open book skills exam during orientation.
• Valid driver’s license required at time of submission.
• Must comply with a 50-mile radius rule from the facility and cannot be currently employed full-time, part-time, or PRN with certain affiliated health systems.
• Artificial nails are prohibited; refusal to comply will result in contract termination.

Additional Information

• Contract requires 48-hour shifts.
• Rapid turnaround time for onboarding (7 days or less per 13-week contract).
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required.

This position is an ASAP need for a travel RN with cardiac and intermediate care experience.