Cardiac Stepdown | Registered Nurse

Cardiac Stepdown Registered Nurse (RN) Travel Contract – Madison, Wisconsin

Apply for a high-acuity Cardiac Stepdown RN travel contract in Madison, WI, caring for adult and geriatric patients after complex cardiac and thoracic procedures.

Join a cardiac and thoracic stepdown nursing team in Madison, Wisconsin. This travel nursing assignment offers the opportunity to provide care in a progressive inpatient environment while collaborating with multidisciplinary clinicians. Madison is a vibrant city known for its lakes, parks, cultural attractions, and welcoming community.

Travel RN Job Details

• Specialty: Cardiac Stepdown / Intermediate Care / Progressive Care
• Assignment Type: 13-week travel nursing contract
• Location: Madison, Wisconsin
• Weekly Estimated Pay: $2,360–$2,480
• Start Date: December 14, 2026
• End Date: March 15, 2027
• Duration: 13 weeks
• Schedule: 36 hours per week; three 12-hour day shifts, 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Weekend Coverage: Every other weekend rotation
• Holiday Coverage: Holiday coverage is required, including December 24 and December 25; limited time-off availability applies during the holiday period.
• Patient Population: Adults and geriatrics
• Typical Assignment: Approximately 3 patients per nurse
• Floating: Travelers may float between cardiac/thoracic intermediate care and acute medical/progressive care units as needed.

Cardiac Stepdown RN Job Requirements

• Active Wisconsin RN license or compact RN license
• At least 2 years of acute care RN experience within the last 3 years, preferably in cardiac stepdown, PCU, IMC, DOU, telemetry, oncology telemetry, ICU, or surgical postoperative care
• Cardiac telemetry and dysrhythmia interpretation experience
• Transplant experience required
• Thoracic, cardiac surgery stepdown, or ventilated-patient experience strongly preferred
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications through the American Heart Association
• Epic charting experience required
• Ability to care for patients with chest tubes, arterial lines, central lines, surgical drains, oxygen, and noninvasive airway support
• Successful completion of a telemetry examination before clearance to begin the assignment. The examination includes recognition of lethal rhythms and third-degree heart blocks and requires a passing score of at least 80% under the stated testing criteria.
• Must be willing to work in a floating travel nurse role; applicants residing within 50 miles of the assignment location are not eligible under the local policy.

Cardiac Stepdown Travel Nurse Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care for cardiac surgery stepdown, thoracic surgery, acute medical, and progressive care patients.
• Care for patients recovering from lobectomies, decortications, esophagectomies, wedge resections, lung volume reduction procedures, and other thoracic surgeries.
• Monitor cardiac telemetry and recognize changes in rhythm, rate, and patient condition.
• Manage arterial lines, central lines, PICC lines, chest tubes, surgical drains, feeding tubes, and peripheral IV access.
• Administer blood products and manage heparin, insulin, and vasoactive medication protocols according to unit standards.
• Provide oxygen therapy and manage patients receiving high-flow nasal cannula, BiPAP, CPAP, and other noninvasive airway support.
• Interpret arterial blood gases, assess dysrhythmias, and respond to changes in hemodynamic or respiratory status.
• Support pre- and postoperative cardiac and thoracic care, including preparation for procedures and ongoing recovery monitoring.
• Collaborate with respiratory therapy, pharmacy, radiology, rehabilitation, rapid response teams, and other interdisciplinary partners.
• Promote evidence-based practice, compassionate patient care, teamwork, and continuous professional development.

Apply now for this Cardiac Stepdown RN travel contract in Madison, Wisconsin, and join a progressive care team supporting complex cardiac and thoracic patients.

Benefits

401K with Matching, Healthcare, Dental and Vision

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity across our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.