Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit
Nashville, Tennessee
Saint Thomas West Hospital

RN Step Down Nurse - Tennessee, Nashville

Job Overview

• Specialty: RN Step Down (ICU Stepdown)
• Location: Nashville, Tennessee
• Employment Type: Long-Term Assignment (LTA)
• Shift: 06:45 AM – 07:15 PM
• Contract Length: 13 weeks
• Unit Capacity: 14 beds
• Patient Population: Critically ill patients with diagnoses including chest pain, post kidney transplant, acute renal failure, congestive heart failure, GI bleed, pneumonia, myocardial infarction, pulmonary disease (with or without mechanical ventilation), thoracic and other surgical procedures with comorbidities, and drug/alcohol withdrawal.
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 3:1

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Tennessee
• Minimum of 1 year of stepdown nursing experience, with experience within the last year
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Required Certifications & Skills

• Successful completion of a proctored cardiac rhythm test
• Passing score of at least 80% on the Ascension EKG Exam (two attempts allowed; updated every 3 years)
• Completion of core competencies including HIPAA, Joint Commission, NPSG, OSHA topics (minimum 80% passing score; updated every 3 years)
• Clinical skills checklist completed within one year of start and updated annually for specialty

Required Licenses & Verification

• Current RN license verified through Nursys within 30 days prior to start
• Primary source license verification within 30 days prior to start
• Driver’s license or state ID (valid, not expired, matching address requirements)
• Professional references: at least two qualifying references prior to first assignment

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Proof of two MMR vaccines or positive IGG titer (no declinations accepted; if negative, two doses required four weeks apart)
• Proof of two Varicella vaccines, serological immunity, or documented history (no declinations accepted; if negative, two doses required four weeks apart)
• Tdap vaccine valid within 10 years (no declinations accepted)
• Hepatitis B vaccination series completion or signed declination
• Influenza vaccine recommended during flu season (exemptions accepted with mask requirement)
• 2-step PPD or IGRA (Quantiferon/Tspot) testing with negative chest X-ray if positive; TB questionnaire updated annually
• Fit test for respiratory protection (preferred prior to start; updated annually)
• Statement of good health or completed physical exam prior to first assignment, updated annually
• 12-panel drug screen within 30 days prior to start and annually thereafter

Onboarding & Compliance

• Completion of onboarding education attestation and nursing contract worker onboarding
• Completion of pre-hire modules including Nova StatStrip
• Cerner test-out with signed attestation
• Ascension profile/resume submission
• Criminal background check including social security trace, OIG search, national sex offender registry, and other required screenings within 90 days prior to start; updated annually or after break in service
• Employment and education verifications completed within 90 days prior to start; updated annually or after break in service
• Confirmation of assignment documentation upon initial assignment and extensions

Additional Information

• Optional unit-specific checklist may be required by unit leader within one week of start
• Badge photo required (forward-facing headshot with white or blue background, no alterations)
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required for this position

This role is suited for experienced step-down nurses comfortable managing high-acuity patients with complex medical and surgical needs in a fast-paced environment.