Cardiac Stepdown | Registered Nurse

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

Apply for a Cardiac Stepdown RN travel nursing job in Madison, Wisconsin. This 13-week travel assignment offers the opportunity to care for medically complex and acutely ill adults in a fast-paced acute care, progressive care, and intermediate care (IMC) setting. Care for patients with cardiopulmonary conditions, pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis, and post-lung-transplant needs while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team in an academic Level I trauma environment.

Travel RN Job Details

• Weekly Estimated Pay: $2,250–$2,370
• Assignment Type: 13-week travel nursing contract
• Location: Madison, Wisconsin
• Start Date: November 9, 2026
• End Date: February 8, 2027
• Schedule: Day 4x12-hour schedule, 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Shift: 12-hour day shifts, 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Weekend Coverage: Every other weekend and additional weekend shifts as needed
• Holiday Requirement: Availability is required for December 24 and December 25. Holiday requests off will not be approved for these dates.
• Scheduling Options: Block weekend scheduling, such as Friday–Sunday, may be considered based on unit needs
• Patient Population: Adults with acute medical, cardiac, pulmonary, surgical, trauma, and transplant-related conditions
• Unit Profile: 29-bed cardiac stepdown and intermediate care unit with general care ratios of approximately 1:4 and IMC ratios of approximately 1:2
• Patient Ratio: Approximately 1:3 based on unit and patient acuity
• Orientation: 36 hours
• Floating: Travel nurses may be required to float to comparable units as needed

Cardiac Stepdown RN Job Requirements

• Active Wisconsin RN license or compact RN license
• At least two years of acute care nursing experience within the last three years, including experience in cardiac stepdown, progressive care unit (PCU), direct observation unit (DOU), intermediate care unit (IMC), or a similar setting
• Recent experience caring for ventilated patients and post-transplant patients is required
• Experience in telemetry oncology, cardiac care, medical-surgical telemetry, and/or a comparable high-acuity environment is strongly preferred
• Experience in an academic Level I or Level II trauma center, or a similar-size hospital, is required
• Prior travel nursing experience is required
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications through the American Heart Association
• Epic electronic medical record (EMR) charting experience is required
• Strong cardiac rhythm interpretation skills, including recognition of lethal dysrhythmias and third-degree heart block
• Successful completion of a required telemetry assessment before clearance to start. A minimum score of 80% is required, with strict criteria for lethal rhythm and third-degree heart block identification.
• Flu vaccination is required; medical or religious exemptions may be considered according to applicable policy
• Travel nurses must reside more than 50 miles from the assignment location; local candidates are not eligible

Cardiac Stepdown Nurse Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to acutely ill adult patients with multiple comorbidities and potential hemodynamic instability
• Monitor and interpret cardiac telemetry, identify dysrhythmias, and initiate appropriate interventions
• Care for patients requiring ventilatory support, BiPAP/CPAP, high-flow oxygen, tracheostomy management, and other advanced respiratory interventions
• Manage cardiac and insulin infusions according to established protocols
• Provide post-transplant nursing care, including care for patients with pulmonary hypertension and cystic fibrosis
• Perform assessments and interventions for surgical, trauma, neurologic, renal, and complex medical patients
• Manage central lines, PICC lines, arterial lines, chest tubes, surgical drains, feeding tubes, wound vacuums, and peripheral IV therapy
• Administer blood products, manage heparin protocols, support continuous bladder irrigation, and provide pre- and post-hemodialysis care
• Recognize changes in patient condition and promptly activate rapid response or code team support when indicated
• Collaborate with respiratory therapy, pharmacy, radiology, rehabilitation, social services, IV teams, phlebotomy, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team
• Document patient care accurately in Epic and advocate for safe, high-quality patient outcomes
• Float to comparable units as needed while maintaining safe and effective patient care

About Madison, Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, offers an engaging blend of lakeside outdoor recreation, walkable neighborhoods, local restaurants, arts, and year-round community events. As the state capital and a vibrant college town, Madison provides a welcoming atmosphere with easy access to parks, trails, farmers markets, and the surrounding natural beauty of southern Wisconsin.

Apply now for this Cardiac Stepdown RN travel nursing opportunity in Madison, Wisconsin.

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.