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

Registered Nurse (RN) – CVU 5E Unit

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

• General: 1:4
• Post-surgical (first 24 hours): 1:3

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 medications.
• RNs must read and interpret telemetry strips; remote telemetry techs are present.
• Respiratory therapy equipment includes BiPAP, CPAP, and nasal cannula; RNs troubleshoot but do not manage these devices.
• Charge nurse present on each shift, rarely takes patient assignments.
• Patient care techs/aides available at a ratio of 1:18.
• Hospitalist and intensivist coverage 24/7; cardiology on call after hours.
• Respiratory therapist available in ICU 24/7.
• Floating required to same or lower acuity units.
• Dress code: Navy blue scrubs.
• Orientation tailored to experience, typically 1-2 shifts on unit.
• Weekend work required every other weekend.
• Scheduling managed by unit manager; no self-scheduling or block scheduling.
• No call or standby requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Current RN license.
• Minimum 1 year of experience caring for cardiac/vascular patient population in ICU/PCU or similar setting.
• Certifications: BLS, ACLS, NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS).
• Must pass a 90% score on a pass/fail open book skills exam during orientation.
• Valid driver’s license required at time of submission.
• Must comply with facility’s fingernail policy: artificial nails prohibited in patient care areas.
• Candidates must live within 50 miles of the facility and may not be currently employed full-time, part-time, or PRN with any affiliated facilities.
• Return to work (RTO) required within 7 days of contract start; no extensions allowed.

Additional Information

• This is an ASAP need.
• Contract involves 48-hour work weeks.
• Unit uses telemetry monitoring systems with hardwired and tele box capabilities.
• Nurses are expected to manage patient care in a fast-paced cardiac/vascular intermediate care environment.