Cardiac Stepdown Telemetry RN
Wilmington, North Carolina
New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Registered Nurse (Cardiac Floor) - Wilmington, North Carolina

Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Unit: Cardiac floor with focus on telemetry, PCU/DOU/IMC/Stepdown
• Shift: Nights only, 36 hours per week
• Patient Ratios:

  • Surgical step down: 1:4
  • Lower acuity: 1:5-6
• Float Requirement: Follows unit rotation; not first to float
• Weekend Requirement: 4 weekends per 4 weeks (flexible)
• Storm/Hurricane Team: Contract staff expected to work during catastrophic events or disasters

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 2 years cardiac floor experience required
• Traveler experience required unless >24 months cardiac experience
• Skills:

  • Cardiac telemetry
  • Sheath removal and management
  • Dysrhythmia interpretation and management
  • Post MI care
  • Pre/Post cardiac catheterization
  • Management and titration of cardiac drips
  • Chest tubes (Emerson/Pleuravac)
  • Non-invasive airway management (CPAP/BIPAP, nasal cannula)
• Certifications: BLS, ACLS, NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Preferred Skills

• Arterial line management
• Wound care/Wound Vac
• Charge nurse experience

Patient Diagnoses

• Atrial Fibrillation
• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
• Valvular diseases (Aortic stenosis/regurgitation, Mitral regurgitation/stenosis)
• Endocarditis
• Cardiomyopathy
• Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
• Vasculitis
• Carotid stenosis
• Venous stasis

Special Procedures / Unit Details

• Cardiac surgeries: CABG, AVR, MVR, TAVR, Mitral Clip, LAAO (Watchman procedure)
• Vascular surgeries: Carotid endarterectomy, FEM-POP bypass, amputations
• Thoracic surgeries and general thoracic surgery
• Post cardiac catheterization, DCCV, electrophysiology procedures
• Pacemaker placements

Special Equipment

• Arterial lines (optional)
• Doppler
• Bladder scanner
• EKG
• Femoral sheaths, TR band, Fem-stop
• Chest tubes
• Epicardial pacing wires

Unit Systems

• Pyxis (medication dispensing)
• EPIC (electronic health record)
• SBAR (communication tool)

Orientation & Dress Code

• Unit orientation: 24 hours
• Scrubs: Navy

Testing & Competency Requirements

• Must pass EKG/Dysrhythmia competency exam within 72 hours of assignment start (minimum 82% score required, up to 3 attempts allowed)
• Medication/pharmacology competency exam as applicable
• Color blind testing within 1 year via Relias (minimum 80%)
• Background checks including criminal, education verification, and state-specific registry searches required within 90 days of start
• Physical exam within 1 year of start (or within 30 days if past positive TB)
• Fit mask testing (N95 or PAPR training) within 1 year required
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray per protocol
• Drug screening within 30 days of start (10-panel urine drug screen)
• Immunizations and titers required: Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (or facility-specific declination)
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season
• COVID-19 vaccination no longer required for travel staff

Additional Notes

• No Return to Origin (RTO) allowed after booking; call-offs or additional RTO may lead to cancellation
• Contract staff may be reassigned mid-contract as needed
• Multiple facility-specific documents and trainings required prior to start, including confidentiality agreements, hospital policies, and orientation modules
• Candidates must complete a photo for badge creation prior to start
• References: 2 professional references within 3 years for acute care travel nurses

This position is ideal for experienced cardiac floor RNs comfortable with telemetry, cardiac procedures, and critical care nursing in a fast-paced hospital environment during night shifts.