Cardiac Stepdown Registered Nurse
Durham, North Carolina
Duke University Hospital

Job Opportunity: Stepdown Cardiac Registered Nurse

Location: Durham, North Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 10 weeks

Position Overview

• Role: Registered Nurse (RN) in Stepdown/Cardiac unit
• Schedule: Nights
• Weekend Shifts: 6 total (Saturdays and Sundays)
• Additional Shifts: 4 Mondays and 4 Fridays
• Floating Areas: PCU, Stepdown, IMCU
• On-Call: Yes
• Blocked Scheduling: Not available
• Orientation: Bi-weekly
• Scrub Color: Royal Blue
• First-time travelers and local candidates are welcome

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in North Carolina
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Minimum 2 years of recent experience in Cardiac Telemetry, PCU, DOU, IMC, or Stepdown, including Cardiac Stepdown experience within the last year
• Experience in an Acute Care setting
• Telemetry experience
• PCU (Progressive Care Unit) experience
• Certifications: ACLS and BLS issued by the American Heart Association
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system

Required Documentation & Compliance

• Background checks including SSN trace, county searches, sex offender, education verification, and others as required within 90 days of start
• Drug testing: Negative 10-panel drug screen (including THC) within 30 days of start
• Health documents:

  • Physical exam within 12 months
  • Immunizations/vaccinations including Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Polio
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 12 months
  • Flu vaccination for the 2025-26 season (declinations not accepted)
• References: Two professional references from employment within the last 12 months, at least one supervisor
• Employment application and skills checklist updated annually
• Facility-specific onboarding requirements including competency exams and online modules prior to orientation
• Must set up a facility guest account prior to clearance for access to orientation and work systems

Additional Notes

• Candidates with less than a 30-day gap from a previous assignment with this system may have some document requirements waived or accepted on file
• Candidates must complete all required competency checklists within 3 weeks after start date
• Training such as Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) provided during orientation (valid for 2 years)
• Local candidates within 75 miles considered with adjusted pay rate (not disclosed here)

This position is suitable for RNs with cardiac stepdown experience seeking a travel contract opportunity with night shifts and weekend coverage in North Carolina.