Cardiac Stepdown RN
Salisbury, North Carolina
Novant Health Rowan Medical Center

Registered Nurse – Stepdown Cardiac (Travel/Contract)

Location: Salisbury, North Carolina
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 18:45 – 07:15)
Hours per Week: 36

Job Overview

• Fast-paced, busy cardiac and stroke stepdown unit with high patient turnover (78-90 patients weekly).
• Patient assignments typically 1:5-6; nurses must be comfortable managing up to 6 patients during surge.
• Unit cares for stable pre/post procedure cardiac patients including pacemaker implantation, cardiac catheterization, and post uncomplicated peripheral vascular interventions.
• Patients may require management of multiple cardiac drips (e.g., Cardizem, Dopamine, Amiodarone).
• Unit currently includes a COVID-positive side with patients on opti-flow and chronic BIPAP (no new BIPAP initiation).
• Float and call requirements apply; call frequency depends on patient census.
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend plus 2 Mondays and 2 Fridays in a 6-week period.
• No block scheduling allowed.
• Self-scheduling with leadership oversight to balance shifts.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in North Carolina
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a Cardiac PCU (Progressive Care Unit), with at least 1 year of recent Cardiac PCU experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Current ACLS certification
• Current BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Traveler experience accepted

Orientation & Training

• 36 hours of unit orientation required; availability every day during the first week is mandatory.
• Must complete facility-specific education modules including medication safety and confidentiality agreements.
• Must complete annual compliance and facility-specific training as required.
• Epic system experience preferred; optional Epic test-out available for experienced users.

Patient Population & Care Details

• Primary cardiac and stroke patients including:

  • Stable pre/post pacemaker and defibrillator implantation
  • Cardiac catheterization and peripheral vascular procedures without sheaths
  • Stable oxygen therapy patients (non-rebreather only if palliative, chronic BIPAP only)
  • New CVA and TIA patients
  • Low-risk chest pain, unstable angina, CHF, dysrhythmias
• Use of telemetry, pulse oximetry, and high flow oxygen (stable patients only).
• No unstable oxygen patients on BIPAP or non-rebreather masks.

Scheduling & Work Environment

• 12-hour night shifts, 3 per week, totaling 36 hours.
• Call and float responsibilities required.
• Weekend and weekday coverage required as specified.
• No block scheduling permitted.
• Scrubs: Navy blue or white scrubs or a combination; jackets must match scrubs in material and color; no crocs with holes allowed.

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Background check within 6 months required for clinical candidates.
• Drug screening (9-panel) within 6 months required.
• Immunizations and health screenings required:

  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year (or proof of past positive with documentation)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella titers or vaccinations as required
  • Hepatitis B vaccination or declination form if titer negative/equivocal
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption with mask requirement
• Photo ID and professional license verification required.
• Must complete facility-specific forms including confidentiality agreement, medication safety, and annual compliance training.
• Must provide emergency contact information and complete required accounting documents (e.g., tax forms, direct deposit).

Additional Notes

• Return to Office (RTO) after booking is not allowed and cannot be worked out onsite; excessive call-offs or RTO may result in cancellation.
• Radiation badge not required for this unit.
• Must be comfortable working in a high-acuity, fast-paced environment with frequent patient turnover.
• Team lead available to assist with admissions and discharges.

This position is ideal for RNs with cardiac telemetry experience seeking a challenging travel assignment on a busy stepdown cardiac unit with a supportive team environment.