Cardiac Stepdown | Registered Nurse

Travel Registered Nurse (RN) – Cardiac Stepdown / Thoracic IMC – Madison, WI

Apply for a 13-week travel nursing assignment in Madison, Wisconsin, providing acute-care RN services to adult and geriatric patients in cardiac stepdown, progressive care, and thoracic surgical settings. Join an experienced on-site nursing team caring for complex postoperative patients while collaborating with interdisciplinary clinical teams.

Travel RN Job Details

• Assignment Type: 13-week travel nurse contract
• Location: Madison, WI 53792
• Start Date: November 9, 2026
• End Date: February 8, 2027
• Weekly Estimated Pay: $2,250–$2,370
• Hours: 36 hours per week
• Shift: 12-hour day shifts, 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Schedule: Weekday coverage with every other weekend and some holiday coverage required
• Holiday Requirement: Availability on December 24 and December 25 is required; time-off requests for these dates will not be approved
• Patient Assignment: Approximately 3 patients per nurse
• Patient Population: Adults and geriatric patients
• Float Expectation: Float between cardiac stepdown, progressive care, and thoracic units as needed
• Charting: Epic electronic medical record

Madison combines a welcoming community with scenic lakes, extensive parks, vibrant cultural attractions, and the energy of Wisconsin’s state capital—an appealing setting for your next clinical assignment and Wisconsin travel nursing opportunity.

Registered Nurse Job Requirements

• Current Wisconsin Registered Nurse (RN) license or compact RN license
• At least 2 years of acute-care inpatient RN experience within the last 3 years, preferably in cardiac stepdown, IMC, PCU, progressive care, DOU, or telemetry
• ICU or surgical postoperative nursing experience required; thoracic experience preferred
• Ventilator and transplant experience required
• Level II trauma experience required; Level I trauma experience preferred
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications from the American Heart Association
• Proficiency with Epic documentation and electronic medical records
• Strong cardiac telemetry, dysrhythmia interpretation, and acute-care assessment skills
• Successful completion of a required telemetry examination before the start date. Candidates must achieve at least 80%, correctly identify all specified lethal rhythms, and answer all third-degree heart block questions correctly. Up to two attempts are permitted, with additional review requirements applying after an unsuccessful second attempt.
• Ability to work on-site, float as assigned, and meet required weekend and holiday coverage

Cardiac Stepdown and Thoracic RN Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care for cardiac stepdown, progressive care, and thoracic surgical patients
• Care for patients recovering from lobectomies, decortications, esophagectomies, wedge resections, lung volume reduction procedures, cardiac surgery, and other complex thoracic interventions
• Monitor and interpret cardiac telemetry, recognize dysrhythmias, and respond promptly to changes in patient condition
• Manage ventilated patients and provide care involving BiPAP/CPAP, high-flow nasal cannula, oxygen therapy, and noninvasive airway support
• Provide preoperative and postoperative cardiac and thoracic surgical care, including chest tube, surgical drain, central line, arterial line, PICC, and port management
• Administer blood products and manage heparin, insulin, and vasoactive medication protocols according to clinical standards
• Perform nursing assessments, medication administration, IV management, phlebotomy, wound care, and patient education
• Collaborate with respiratory therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy, radiology, rapid response teams, social services, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team
• Use critical thinking and evidence-based nursing practices to support safe, compassionate patient outcomes
• Participate in unit procedures, including chest tube-related care, and contribute to a collaborative and innovative practice environment

Apply now for this cardiac stepdown travel RN opportunity in Madison, Wisconsin, and join a dedicated acute-care nursing team.

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.