Cardiac Stepdown Nurse

Experience Requirements

Minimum of 2 years of experience in a stepdown unit within an acute care environment is required.

Unit Overview

This position is located in a cardiac stepdown unit, which includes:

• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1 nurse per 5 patients
• 44 beds, consisting of 8 semi-private rooms (16 beds)
• Unit Staff: Charge Nurse (Clinical Supervisor) and Nurse Aides

Certifications and Skills

Preferred certifications include:

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
• NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)

The incumbent must possess the ability to:

• Read and interpret cardiac strips.
• Administer and manage drips including Cardizem, amiodarone, dobutamine, dopamine, lasix, heparin, and more.

Patient Population

The unit serves a variety of cardiac patients, including:

• Post-operative CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) patients
• Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery and smaller procedures
• Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) patients
• Patients with arrhythmias and other related conditions

Common procedures include pacemaker insertions, ablations, and tubing management for chest tubes.

Work Schedule

This role requires flexibility for:

• Weekend shifts every other weekend
• Holidays and days surrounding holidays as needed

Orientation and Training

New hires will receive:

• Floor-specific orientation lasting 3 shifts
• Training for any required tasks, such as pacer wire pulling, if not already proficient

Additional Information

Staff may be required to float to the ICU, with the understanding that they will only care for stepdown patients unless they have ICU experience.

The unit maintains a fast patient turnover, with an average census between 32-38 patients, including discharges and admissions ranging from 12-16 patients in a busy shift.

Dress Code

Expected dress code includes:

• Natural hair colors only
• No fake nails or shellac on nails
• No visible facial piercings or tattoos