Stepdown Registered Nurse
Omaha, Nebraska
The Nebraska Medical Center

Registered Nurse – Stepdown Unit (Travel/Contract)

Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night shift, 4 shifts per 2-week period (4x12 hours, 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Hours per Week: 48 hours

Unit Description

• Stepdown Critical Care (SDCC) is a 12-bed unit providing care for patients requiring a level of care between ICU and progressive care units.
• Patient population includes trauma, surgery, transplant, lung disorders, and ventilated patients.
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3-4 on days and nights.
• Drip medication administration required on all floors.
• Frequent floating required to various units within the hospital system, including Bellevue campus and multiple specialty floors.

Required Qualifications

• License: Active Registered Nurse (RN) license for Nebraska. Pending licenses accepted if in hand six weeks before start.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of RN experience in a large, urban hospital setting. First-time travelers not accepted unless they have 2 years at a Level I Academic Medical Center.
• Certifications:

  • Active AHA Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required
  • Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and NIH Stroke Certification strongly preferred
• Skills: EPIC electronic charting experience required.
• Must be prepared to float frequently within scope to meet staffing needs.

Work Schedule & Requirements

• Option for 36 or 48-hour shifts and 13 or 26-week contracts.
• Weekend requirement: 4 weekend shifts out of 8 possible in a 4-week period (days: Sat/Sun; nights: Fri/Sat nights).
• Holiday requirement: Must work 2 out of 3 major holidays.
• Locals not accepted; candidate must live more than 100 miles from the facility.
• Facility is 100% nicotine-free.
• Scrubs: Mandatory Steele gray scrubs with facility logo (provided after confirmation).

Facility & Environment

• Acute care teaching hospital with 718 beds, known for complex patient care and academic affiliation.
• Care teams include CNAs, care techs, transport team, paramedics, and some LPNs.
• Parking available via permit (~$55/month) or daily rates.

Background & Compliance Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID required.
• Comprehensive background checks including criminal, education verification, and state-specific registry searches.
• Drug screening within 60 days of start, updated annually.
• Primary source verification of licensure required prior to start.
• Annual skills checklist and competency exams required.
• References: Two work references from the past 2 years required.

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam and fit mask test (3M 1860 Small/Regular or 3M 1870+) within 1 year, updated annually.
• Immunizations/vaccinations required or documentation of immunity:

  • Tdap within last 10 years
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray with TB questionnaire if history positive
  • 2 MMR vaccines or positive titers (measles, mumps, rubella)
  • Hepatitis B titer or declination
  • 2 Varicella vaccines or positive titer
• Flu vaccine preferred (documentation or declination required).
• COVID vaccine preferred; medical/religious exemptions accepted.
• Eye exam required if working in OR only (not applicable here).

Additional Notes

• Travelers are first to float to meet staffing needs.
• Return to Office (RTO) blackout dates apply during College World Series (6/11/26 - 6/22/26).
• Up to two weeks of RTO permitted; requests must be submitted with application.
• Scrubs and facility-specific dress code must be followed.

This position is ideal for experienced critical care RNs comfortable with high-acuity patients, frequent floating, and working night shifts in a large academic medical center environment.