First Connect Health is seeking a travel nurse RN Stepdown for a travel nursing job in Kearney, Nebraska.
Job Description & Requirements
- Specialty: Stepdown
- Discipline: RN
- Start Date: 10/12/2026
- Duration: 13 weeks
- 48 hours per week
- Shift: 12 hours, nights
- Employment Type: Travel
Progressive Care Unit (PCU) Registered Nurse (RN)
Position: Registered Nurse (RN)
Department: Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
Unit Size: 40 Beds
Average Daily Census: 24
Shift: 6:30 AM–6:30 PM / 6:30 PM–6:30 AM
Scrub Color: Navy Blue
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced PCU Registered Nurse (RN) to provide high-quality care to adult patients with complex medical and cardiac conditions. The ideal candidate should be clinically strong, comfortable managing titratable drips and arterial lines, and able to adapt to changing patient-care needs.
Required Certifications & Skills
- BLS – Required
- ACLS – Required
- NIHSS – Required
- Must be competent in Arterial Line management
- Must be able to titrate IV drips
- Must be able to read and interpret telemetry strips
Unit & Patient Population
The 40-bed PCU has an average daily census of approximately 24 patients.
Common patient populations and diagnoses include:
- Adult Cardiac Medical-Surgical patients
- Dialysis patients
- Oncology/Cancer patients
- Vascular patients
- Sepsis
- Adult respiratory conditions
- Stroke
- Post-stent patients
- Post-pacemaker placement
- Renal failure
RN-to-Patient Ratio: 1:4–5 on both days and nights.
Drips & Clinical Responsibilities
RNs are required to manage and titrate appropriate IV medications, including:
- Heparin
- Nitro
- Dopamine
- Cardizem
- Amiodarone
- Insulin
RNs are also expected to manage High Flow respiratory support and troubleshoot equipment as needed.
Staffing & Support
- Charge Nurse available on each shift and takes a patient assignment.
- Nurse Aides/PCTs available at approximately 1:12.
- RNs are responsible for monitoring and interpreting their own telemetry strips.
Schedule
- Day Shift: 6:30 AM–6:30 PM
- Night Shift: 6:30 PM–6:30 AM
- Every other weekend required
- Minimum of 2 holidays falling within the contract period.
- No call requirement specified; if placed on call and called back, the nurse must be able to arrive within 30 minutes.
Floating Requirements
Travelers may be required to float to:
- Medical-Surgical
- ICU, to care for patients at the appropriate PCU acuity level
Candidates must be flexible and comfortable adapting to changing unit needs.
Orientation
- 1 day of unit-specific orientation
- During orientation, RNs must complete a pass/fail open-book exam on Wednesdays covering skills learned during orientation.
- All necessary resources are provided.
- A minimum score of 90% is required to pass.
- Failure to achieve the required score will result in termination of the contract.
Scheduling & RTO Requirements
- RTO must be submitted upfront.
- Up to 7 days of RTO per 13-week contract may be considered.
- Additional RTO will not be approved after submission.
- Block scheduling is generally not approved; weekend-only requests may be considered.
- Duo candidates requiring the same schedule or shared patient care will not be accepted.
- Travelers must remain flexible with scheduling based on facility needs.
Radius & Eligibility Requirements
- 50-mile radius rule applies.
- Candidates must be outside the 50-mile radius to qualify as travelers.
- A current driver's license is required at submission and will be used to determine the candidate's distance from the facility.
- Candidates may not currently work full-time, part-time, or PRN with any facility associated with CommonSpirit, including CHI and/or Dignity.
Fingernail Policy
- Artificial nails are prohibited in all patient-care departments.
- Refusal to remove artificial nails will result in termination of the contract.
Dress Code
Patient Care Environment
The unit serves a diverse patient population, including primarily Hispanic and Somalian patients. Strong communication, cultural awareness, and a focus on patient experience are important to the role.
The facility emphasizes:
- Patient experience and satisfaction scores
- Responsiveness
- Professional hospital environment
- Clear communication regarding medications and patient care
Ideal Candidate
A successful RN on this unit is:
- A strong team player
- Flexible and adaptable
- Comfortable receiving and applying feedback
- An effective communicator
- Willing to learn and adjust to changing patient-care needs
- Experienced in managing higher-acuity PCU patients
Additional Equipment & Resources
The unit provides:
- Overhead lifts in approximately half of the rooms
- Portable lifts
- Vein finders
- Bladder scanners
Important Submission Notes
Please ensure the candidate is fully aware of the 50-mile radius rule, RTO requirements, floating expectations, artificial nail policy, orientation exam requirement, weekend/holiday requirements, and scheduling flexibility before submission.
Akshay #1183506
About First Connect Health
At First Connect Health, we take pride in being a Joint Commission–certified healthcare staffing agency, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. This prestigious certification is more than just a seal — it's a reflection of our commitment to excellence, safety, and quality in everything we do.
By meeting the rigorous standards set by The Joint Commission, one of the most respected accrediting bodies in healthcare, we've demonstrated that our processes, compliance, and patient care standards are aligned with the highest levels of quality in the industry.
But our dedication goes beyond certifications. Nurses choose First Connect Health because:
- ✅ Trust and Transparency: We foster honest communication, timely updates, and full transparency throughout your placement journey.
- ✅ Best Pay & Benefits: We offer industry-leading compensation packages, along with benefits that support your career goals.
- ✅ Flexibility & Choice: Whether you're seeking short-term assignments, long-term contracts, or local opportunities, we provide the flexibility to suit your preferences.
- ✅ Personalized Support: Our recruiters take the time to understand your needs, guiding you with care, respect, and responsiveness at every step.
When you work with First Connect Health, you're not just another number — you're a valued professional. Join a team that’s focused on your success, your well-being, and your future in healthcare.
Benefits
- Sick pay
- 401k retirement plan
- Weekly pay
- Referral bonus