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Step Down Nurse Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Step Down Nurse Opportunity Do you have the career opportunities as a Step Down Nurse you want in your current role? We invest in what matters most to nurses like you - at home, at work, and at every ...

Travel Step Down Telemetry RN

Brookfield, WI · On-site

$1.8K - $2.5K/wk

Travel Focus Staff is seeking a Step Down Registered Nurse for a travel contract in Brookfield, WI. The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of experience in a Step Down setting. Contract Length ...

Travel Focus Staff is seeking a Step Down Registered Nurse for a travel contract in Evansville, IN. The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of experience in a Step Down setting. Contract Length ...

Travel Focus Staff is seeking a Step Down Registered Nurse for a travel contract in Summit, NJ. The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of experience in a Step Down setting. Contract Length: 8 ...

Travel Focus Staff is seeking a Step Down Registered Nurse for a travel contract in Cleveland, OH. The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of experience in a Step Down setting. Contract Length ...

Travel Focus Staff is seeking a Step Down Registered Nurse for a travel contract in Cleveland, OH. The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of experience in a Step Down setting. Contract Length ...

Travel Focus Staff is seeking a Step Down Registered Nurse for a travel contract in Evansville, IN. The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of experience in a Step Down setting. Contract Length ...

Travel Focus Staff is seeking a Step Down Registered Nurse for a travel contract in Evansville, IN. The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of experience in a Step Down setting. Contract Length ...

Travel Focus Staff is seeking a Step Down Registered Nurse for a travel contract in Henderson, KY. The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of experience in a Step Down setting. Contract Length ...

Travel Focus Staff is seeking a Step Down Registered Nurse for a travel contract in Henderson, KY. The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of experience in a Step Down setting. Contract Length ...

Showing results 41-60

Step Down Nurse information

See salary details

$17

$38

$65

How much do step down nurse jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for step down nurse in the United States is $38.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.57 and $43.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Step Down Nurse vs Medical-Surgical Nurse?

AspectStep Down NurseMedical-Surgical Nurse
CertificationsRN license, possibly CCRN or similarRN license, basic certifications
Work EnvironmentSpecialized units for patients needing close monitoring but not ICU levelGeneral medical-surgical units caring for diverse patient conditions
Employer & IndustryHospitals, specialized unitsHospitals, general medical facilities
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Step Down Nurse and a Medical-Surgical Nurse lies in patient acuity and monitoring requirements. Step Down Nurses work in units caring for patients who need more intensive observation than general medical-surgical units but do not require ICU care. Medical-Surgical Nurses provide care for a broad range of patients with various conditions in general hospital units. Both roles require RN licensure, but Step Down Nurses often have additional certifications and specialized training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a step down nurse?

To thrive as a Step Down Nurse, you need strong clinical assessment skills, advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification, and experience in managing patients who require a higher level of monitoring than general med-surg but less than intensive care. Familiarity with telemetry, electronic health records (EHRs), and specialized monitoring equipment is typically required. Excellent communication, teamwork, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are vital soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure safe, effective care for patients in transitional or high-acuity settings while supporting smooth collaboration across healthcare teams.

What is a step down nurse?

A Step Down Nurse is a registered nurse who cares for patients who are transitioning from the intensive care unit (ICU) but still require close monitoring and specialized care. These patients are not stable enough for a general medical-surgical floor but do not need the intensive support provided in the ICU. Step Down Nurses monitor vital signs, administer medication, provide post-operative care, and respond quickly to changes in patient condition. They work in settings such as progressive care units (PCUs) and intermediate care units, ensuring a safe transition for patients as they recover.

What are some common challenges faced by step down nurses when caring for patients transitioning from critical care?

Step Down Nurses often encounter the challenge of monitoring patients who are stable but still require close observation after leaving intensive care. These patients may have complex needs and can deteriorate quickly, so nurses must be vigilant and skilled in early detection of changes. Balancing a higher patient-to-nurse ratio compared to ICU, while ensuring thorough assessments and timely interventions, can be demanding. Effective communication with the healthcare team and strong organizational skills are crucial to manage these challenges and provide safe, high-quality care.

What does a step down nurse do?

A step down nurse provides care to patients who require a higher level of monitoring and treatment than general wards but less intensive than intensive care units. They monitor vital signs, administer medications, and assess patient progress using specialized equipment, often working in step-down or intermediate care units. Certification in critical care or telemetry is typically required for this role.

Do step down nurses get paid more?

Step down nurses typically earn higher salaries than staff nurses due to their advanced skills and experience in caring for critically ill patients. They often work in specialized units like intensive care or telemetry, which may also offer additional shift differentials or bonuses. Salary differences depend on factors such as location, years of experience, and certifications.
More about Step Down Nurse jobs
What cities are hiring for Step Down Nurse jobs? Cities with the most Step Down Nurse job openings:
What states have the most Step Down Nurse jobs? States with the most job openings for Step Down Nurse jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Step Down Nurse jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Step Down Nurse jobs are:
Infographic showing various Step Down Nurse job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 23% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,321 per year, or $38.6 per hour.

Neuro Step Down Nurse

Care Now

Nashville, TN • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


CareNow Urgent Care rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Step Down Nurse Opportunity

Do you have the career opportunities as a Step Down Nurse you want in your current role? We invest in what matters most to nurses like you – at home, at work, and at every stage in your career. We have an exciting opportunity for you to join TriStar Centennial Medical Center which is a part of the nation's leading provider of healthcare services, HCA Healthcare.

Do you want to work where you have a voice? Nurses are at the forefront of our commitment to the care and improvement of human life. At HCA Healthcare, there are many ways for nurses to have a voice through professional practice councils, advisory councils, vital voices surveys, and units of distinction. We learn from our multi-generational nursing family. We partner with our Nurses at TriStar Centennial Medical Center!

Job Summary and Qualifications

The Progressive Care Registered Nurse coordinates and delivers high quality, patient-centered care. In collaboration with medical providers, the RN provides pre-operative and post-operative nursing care. The RN serves as an advocate for patients to support an unparalleled patient experience.

What you will do in this role:

  • Assess patient condition during admission and during each shift, identifying and reporting any changes in patient status.
  • Perform procedures or other functions as ordered by the medical provider.
  • Document the administration of care in the patient medical record in a timely and thorough manner.
  • Perform the administration of prescribed medications and monitors response.
  • Maintain a knowledge of medications, procedures, and equipment used in the care of cardiac and medical-surgical patients.
What qualifications you will need:
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Spt must be obtained within 6 months of employment start date
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date
  • (RN) Registered Nurse
  • Associate Degree, or Bachelors Degree, or Registered Nurse Diploma
Benefits

TriStar Centennial Medical Center, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

  • Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
  • Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
  • Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
  • Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
  • Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
  • Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts

TriStar Centennial Medical Center is a 740+ bed comprehensive facility. We offer medical and surgical programs. These include behavioral health and 24-hour emergency. These also include heart and vascular and imaging. These also include neurosciences, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, rehabilitation, sleep disorder, and women's services. We are an affiliate of TriStar Health. TriStar Centennial Medical Center is a 43-acre campus. We are home to TriStar Centennial Heart & Vascular Center. We are home to TriStar Centennial Women's Hospital. Our campus includes The Children's Hospital at TriStar Centennial, Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at TriStar Centennial Medical Center, TriStar Centennial Advanced Joint Replacement Institute and TriStar Centennial Parthenon Pavilion.

HCA Healthcare has been named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute for ten consecutive years (2010-2019). In 2019, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.

If this opportunity is your next step in your career path, we encourage you to apply for our Step Down Nurse opening. We review all applications. Qualified candidates will be contacted by a member of our team. We are interviewing apply today!

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.


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