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Cardiac Step Down Unit Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Cardiac Step Down Unit information

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How much do cardiac step down unit jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for cardiac step down unit in the United States is $22.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cardiac Step Down Unit nurse, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cardiac Step Down Unit nurse, you need a solid background in cardiac care, advanced patient monitoring, and acute care nursing, typically supported by a BSN degree and current RN licensure. Familiarity with cardiac telemetry, EKG interpretation, and advanced life support certifications (like ACLS) are commonly required. Exceptional communication, critical thinking, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are vital soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure the delivery of safe, timely, and effective care to patients with complex cardiac conditions during their recovery.

What is a Cardiac Step Down Unit?

A Cardiac Step Down Unit is a specialized hospital unit where patients with heart conditions receive care that is less intensive than what is provided in a cardiac intensive care unit (ICU), but more closely monitored than a general medical-surgical unit. Patients in this unit typically require continuous cardiac monitoring, frequent assessments, and specialized nursing care as they recover from cardiac events, surgeries, or procedures. The Cardiac Step Down Unit acts as a transitional area to ensure patients are stable enough before being discharged home or transferred to a regular hospital floor.

Do CCU nurses get paid more?

Cardiac Step Down Unit nurses generally earn higher salaries than general medical-surgical nurses due to specialized skills in cardiac care, monitoring complex patient conditions, and often working in higher-acuity environments. Factors such as experience, certifications like ACLS, and geographic location can also influence pay rates for CCU nurses.

What is the difference between Cardiac Step Down Unit vs Cardiac Telemetry Nurse?

AspectCardiac Step Down UnitCardiac Telemetry Nurse
CertificationsRN, ACLS, BLSRN, ACLS, BLS
Work EnvironmentIntermediate care for post-acute cardiac patientsMonitoring patients via telemetry, often in a less intensive setting
Patient Care FocusPost-acute, complex cardiac cases requiring close monitoringContinuous cardiac monitoring, early detection of arrhythmias

Cardiac Step Down Units provide care for patients transitioning from ICU to general wards, handling more complex cases. Cardiac Telemetry Nurses focus on continuous cardiac monitoring, often in less intensive settings. Both roles require similar certifications but differ in patient acuity and care scope.

What are some common challenges faced by nurses working in a Cardiac Step Down Unit, and how can they be managed?

Nurses in a Cardiac Step Down Unit often care for patients transitioning from intensive care after cardiac events or surgery, which means they must closely monitor for subtle changes in patient condition. Managing high patient acuity, frequent telemetry monitoring, and rapidly responding to deteriorations can be challenging. Effective time management, strong communication with the cardiology team, and ongoing education about cardiac protocols help nurses succeed in this fast-paced environment. Teamwork and support from experienced colleagues are also key to managing complex cases and maintaining patient safety.
More about Cardiac Step Down Unit jobs
What states have the most Cardiac Step Down Unit jobs? States with the most job openings for Cardiac Step Down Unit jobs include:
Infographic showing various Cardiac Step Down Unit job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,233 per year, or $22.7 per hour.
Registered Nurse- Cardiac Step Down 7E

Registered Nurse- Cardiac Step Down 7E

IntelyCare

Cleveland, OH

Other

Medical, Dental

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

Cardiac Step Down Unit, 7 East

For nearly two centuries, the MetroHealth System's mission has been focused on delivering high-quality patient-centered care to all communities in Northeast Ohio. Today, through our state-of-the-art Level One Trauma Center, cutting-edge specialty care units, and dedicated caregivers, the system is working at the forefront of medicine to address the overall needs of our patients and eliminate healthcare disparities.

All Critical Care units offer enhanced technology to assist with nursing care, including patient lifts, hands-free communication, virtual whiteboards, and continuous telemetry monitoring.

Join our Cardiac Step Down Unit, 7 East!

Primary Patient Population:

  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Arrhythmias
  • Post Procedural Care (Catheterization/Ablation/ICD/PPM)

Primary Skills Utilized/Learned:

  • EKG interpretation
  • IV Medication titration
  • Critical thinking, delegating, time management

Personnel RN Will Work With:

  • Patient Care Nursing Assistants (PCNAs), Nurse Interns, Providers, Telemetry Technicians, PT, OT

Number Of Beds On Unit:

  • 28 beds

MetroHealth offers industry-leading benefits, including tuition reimbursement, professional certification incentives, and medical/dental insurance. As a public employer, employees participate in the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS).

Required Qualifications:

  • Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing (or a program seeking accreditation).
  • Current Registered Nurse licensure in the State of Ohio
  • Current AHA Basic Life Support for the healthcare provider certification or obtained within 90 days of hire.
  • Current ACLS certification or obtained within 6 months of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

  • BSN
  • Professional Certification recognized by the Magnet Association

IntelyCare logo

About IntelyCare

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At IntelyCare, we're empowering healthcare heroes to transform the way they work. IntelyCare simplifies the scheduling and staffing process to match qualified nursing professionals like you with shifts at our nursing facilities. Available shift options include per-diem, contract, short-term, long-term, temporary to permanent and in some cases, travel. With IntelyCare, you'll get the pay, freedom, and flexibility you deserve--all from one intelligent and easy-to-use mobile app.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Quincy, MA, US

Year founded

2014