Registered Nurse (RN) Medical Stepdown Unit

Position Overview

Position Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) provides specialized nursing care to individuals and groups of patients using professional nursing knowledge, clinical judgment, and evidence-based practices. The RN is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care while maintaining a strong focus on patient safety, quality outcomes, and family-centered care.

The RN provides culturally sensitive and age-appropriate care while working collaboratively with patients, families, physicians, and the interdisciplinary healthcare team. The position requires adherence to applicable professional nursing standards, ethical guidelines, and state scope-of-practice requirements.

Unit Overview

The Medical-Surgical Stepdown Unit is a 29-bed medical stepdown unit providing care to patients who require a higher level of monitoring and intervention than a traditional medical-surgical setting.

Patient Population & Clinical Services

The unit cares for patients with a variety of medical and cardiac conditions, including:

• Acute myocardial infarction (MI)

• Cardiac arrhythmias

• Cardiomyopathy

• Congestive heart failure (CHF)

• Cardiac and chest pain conditions

• Cardiology and renal conditions

• Endocrine and general medical conditions

• Pulmonary conditions

• Gastroenterology conditions

• Oncology patients

• Stroke patients requiring specialized monitoring and care

Key Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to patients in a medical stepdown environment.

• Perform ongoing patient assessments and monitor changes in clinical condition.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized nursing care plans.

• Provide continuous cardiac monitoring and respond appropriately to changes in patient status.

• Care for patients requiring non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation, including BiPAP, CPAP, and APAP.

• Administer medications and intravenous therapies as ordered.

• Provide infusion therapy, blood transfusions, and injections.

• Perform and maintain central line care according to established protocols.

• Provide patient and family education regarding treatment plans, medications, disease processes, and discharge needs.

• Collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.

• Recognize and respond appropriately to changes in patient condition and emergency situations.

• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy standards.

• Participate in quality improvement and professional development activities.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide age-appropriate and culturally sensitive patient care.

• Strong clinical assessment and critical-thinking skills.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

• Ability to maintain strict patient confidentiality.

• Demonstrated clinical competency and commitment to continuing professional development.

• Ability to adapt to changes in the healthcare environment and clinical workflows.

• Ability to work effectively in a diverse and fast-paced clinical setting.

Education

Required

• Diploma in Nursing or equivalent nursing education.

Preferred

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Licensure & Certifications

Required

• Active RN license in the applicable state or a valid Compact RN license.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association.

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification through the American Heart Association.

Preferred

• NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification.

• Previous charge nurse or preceptor experience.

Experience

Preferred:

• At least 1 year of Stepdown or Telemetry nursing experience.

• Experience caring for patients requiring cardiac monitoring and higher-acuity medical care.

• Leadership experience, such as Charge RN or Preceptor experience, is preferred.

Schedule & Assignment Details

• Assignment Length: 13 weeks

• Schedule: 3 12-hour shifts

• Shift: Nights

• ACLS: Required

• Stepdown/Telemetry Experience: 1+ year preferred

• NIHSS/Stroke Certification: Preferred

• Leadership Experience: Charge RN or Preceptor experience preferred

Professional Expectations

The RN is expected to maintain professional nursing standards, demonstrate sound clinical judgment, communicate effectively with the healthcare team, protect patient confidentiality, and provide safe, compassionate, and patient-centered care.

Client-specific identifiers, internal organizational references, and other potentially sensitive information have been generalized or omitted.