
Cardiac Stepdown | Registered Nurse
- Agency
- GHR Healthcare
- Location
- Madison, WI
- Job type
- Travel
- Profession
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Industry
- Nursing & Healthcare
- Posted
- Sep 30, 2026
Pay breakdown
- Hourly
- $60.83
- Weekly
- $2,190
- Yearly (full-time)
- $113,880
- Start date
- November 9, 2026
This job pays about $60.83/hour — 32% above the median for Registered Nurse (RN) jobs in Wisconsin ($45.93/hour). The total includes tax-free housing and meal stipends, which staff jobs don't pay, so take-home pay is usually higher than the hourly figure suggests.
Estimated from the weekly pay in the listing, 36 hours a week; yearly = 52 weeks. Median wage: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Registered Nurse (RN) jobs in Wisconsin right now
- 911 open Registered Nurse (RN) jobs in Wisconsin from 7 agencies, 267 of them in Madison.
- Pay in these listings: $19.84 – $196/hour, median $63.28/hour.
- Typical Registered Nurse (RN) pay in Wisconsin: $45.93/hour ($95,534/year, BLS).
- Highest median pay: Care Team Solutions ($70.01/hour across 3 jobs).
Job description
Cardiac Stepdown Registered Nurse (RN) – Travel Nursing Assignment in Madison, Wisconsin
Join a high-acuity cardiac stepdown nursing team in Madison, Wisconsin, as a travel RN caring for acutely ill adults in a collaborative academic medical center and Level I trauma center. This 13-week travel nurse assignment offers valuable experience with cardiac telemetry, ventilated patients, transplant care, surgical cases, and complex medical conditions.
Travel Nurse Job Details
- Specialty: Cardiac Stepdown Registered Nurse / PCU RN / IMC RN
- Assignment Type: 13-week travel nursing assignment
- Location: Madison, Wisconsin
- Start Date: November 9, 2026
- End Date: February 8, 2027
- Weekly Estimated Pay: $2,130–$2,250
- Schedule: 3 shifts per week
- Shift Duration: 12-hour day shifts, 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
- Scheduling: Monday through Friday, every other weekend, and some holidays; 4x12 schedules and block weekend scheduling may be considered based on unit needs
- Patient Population: Adults, including patients with cardiac and pulmonary conditions, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, post-lung transplant needs, trauma, and multiple comorbidities
- Unit Profile: 29-bed stepdown environment with general care ratios of approximately 1:4 and IMC ratios of approximately 1:2
- Orientation: 36 hours
- Floating: Travelers may be required to float as needed
Cardiac Stepdown RN Job Requirements
- Active Wisconsin RN license or compact RN license
- At least 2 years of acute care nursing experience within the last 3 years, including experience in the specialty submitted
- Recent PCU, DOU, IMC, cardiac stepdown, medical-surgical telemetry, telemetry oncology, or progressive care nursing experience
- Strong proficiency caring for ventilated patients and post-transplant patients
- Experience in an academic Level I or Level II trauma center, or a similar-size hospital
- BLS and ACLS certifications through the American Heart Association
- Epic electronic health record charting experience
- Successful completion of a required telemetry examination before clearance to start
- Ability to interpret dysrhythmias, identify lethal rhythms, and recognize third-degree heart blocks
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-acuity setting and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
Cardiac Stepdown Travel Nurse Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive nursing care to acutely ill adult patients with complex medical, cardiac, pulmonary, surgical, and trauma-related conditions
- Care for both general care and intermediate care patients while recognizing and responding to changes in clinical condition
- Monitor cardiac telemetry and interpret dysrhythmias, including lethal rhythms and heart blocks
- Care for ventilated patients and manage noninvasive airway support, oxygen therapy, BiPAP, CPAP, and high-flow nasal cannula therapy
- Manage cardiac and insulin infusions according to established protocols
- Provide post-transplant care, including care for patients with pulmonary hypertension and post-lung transplant needs
- Manage central lines, PICC lines, arterial lines, chest tubes, surgical drains, feeding tubes, urinary catheters, and wound care needs
- Administer blood products, medications, and other treatments while monitoring patient response
- Collaborate with respiratory therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, IV teams, radiology, social services, rapid response teams, and other members of the care team
- Participate in rapid response and emergency care activities as appropriate
- Float to support unit needs while maintaining safe, compassionate, and evidence-based patient care
Why Choose a Travel Nursing Job in Madison, Wisconsin?
Madison, Wisconsin, is a vibrant, welcoming capital city known for its beautiful lakes, extensive bike trails, lively cultural scene, and strong sense of community. The area offers an appealing blend of outdoor recreation, diverse dining, arts and entertainment, and convenient access to the greater Midwest—making it an excellent destination for a travel nurse assignment.
Apply now for this cardiac stepdown travel RN opportunity in Madison, Wisconsin, and advance your acute care nursing experience.
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.
Applying is free. ReferHire lists openings from staffing agencies; when you are hired through our link, the agency may pay us a referral fee. It never reduces your pay. Never pay anyone for a job offer.