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Step Down Rn Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Centra Care

RN - Neuro MS

Saint Augusta, MN · On-site

Primary nursing model is used for registered nurses and nursing assistants in the step-down unit. Rapid Response Teams are utilized. Travelers may float to other like units including surgical care ...

HealthPartners

MN · On-site

$44.52 - $69.50/hr

The Registered Nurse (RN) manages the episode of patient care in partnership with persons, care ... Intensive care/Cardiac Step-Down Telemetry experience recommended; Emergency Center experience ...

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Step Down Rn information

See Minnesota salary details

$31

$47

$59

How much do step down rn jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for step down rn in Minnesota is $47.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.47 and $55.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Step Down RN?

Step Down RNs are registered nurses who work in step-down units, which are transitional care areas between the intensive care unit (ICU) and general medical-surgical floors. These nurses care for patients who require close monitoring and specialized care but are not as critically ill as those in the ICU. Step Down RNs monitor vital signs, administer medications, manage care plans, and respond to changes in patient conditions. Their role is crucial in helping patients recover and transition to lower levels of care safely.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a Step Down RN?

To thrive as a Step Down RN, you need a strong clinical background in acute and progressive care, typically supported by an active RN license and experience in critical or intermediate care settings. Familiarity with cardiac monitors, electronic health records (EHRs), and advanced life support certifications (such as ACLS) is often required. Excellent critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills help nurses respond to rapidly changing patient conditions and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are vital to ensure patient safety, timely interventions, and optimal recovery in this high-acuity care environment.

How does a Step Down RN collaborate with other healthcare professionals?

Step Down RNs work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including physicians, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and case managers, to coordinate patient care. They play a vital role in monitoring patients who require more intensive observation than a general medical-surgical floor but not as much as in the ICU. Effective communication and detailed handoffs are essential, as Step Down RNs often advocate for their patients during care plan meetings and rounds. This collaboration helps ensure that changes in patient status are addressed promptly and that each patient's transition to a lower level of care is safe and well-managed.

What is the difference between Step Down Rn vs Med-Surg Nurse?

AspectStep Down RnMed-Surg Nurse
CertificationsRN license, possibly CCRN or specialty certificationsRN license, often no specialty certification required
Work EnvironmentIntermediate to high-acuity units, closer patient monitoringGeneral medical-surgical units, lower acuity
Patient Care FocusPatients with complex, unstable conditionsPatients with less critical, stable conditions
Typical EmployerHospitals with step-down or progressive care unitsGeneral hospitals, medical-surgical wards

Step Down Rns and Med-Surg Nurses both provide vital patient care but differ mainly in patient acuity and required certifications. Step Down Rns handle more complex cases in intermediate care units, requiring specialized skills and certifications, while Med-Surg Nurses work in general wards with less critical patients. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job opportunity.

Do step down RNs get paid more?

Step down RNs typically earn higher salaries than staff RNs due to the specialized skills, increased responsibilities, and critical care environment involved. Their compensation may also reflect additional certifications such as CCRN and experience in intensive care settings.
Step Down Rn jobs near you
Infographic showing various Step Down Rn job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 8% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,206 per year, or $47.2 per hour.

Travel Nurse RN - PCU - Progressive Care Unit

Saint Paul, MN • On-site

TotalMed RN
See more jobs at TotalMed RNexternal

$2.0K - $2.7K/wk

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

TotalMed RN is seeking a travel nurse RN PCU - Progressive Care Unit for a travel nursing job in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Job Description & Requirements
  • Specialty: PCU - Progressive Care Unit
  • Discipline: RN
  • Start Date: 09/21/2026
  • Duration: 10 weeks
  • 36 hours per week
  • Shift: 12 hours, nights
  • Employment Type: Travel

We're looking for Progressive Care Unit RNs for an immediate travel nurse opening in Saint Paul, MN. The right RN should have 1-2 years recent acute care experience. Read below for more requirements.
As a PCU Travel Nurse, you will care for patients who require close monitoring and frequent assessment, but aren't unstable enough to need ICU care. Progressive Care Unit RNs will utilize computer equipment to monitor cardiac and other vital information, detecting any changes and thereby enabling intervention of life-threatening or emergency situations. Close observation is necessary as many PCU patients receive a significant amount of complex medications, sometimes through an intravenous line that may need to be adjusted or titrated. The PCU RN is sometimes also called a step-down nurse, and the PCU is also known as cardiac stepdown, medical stepdown, neuro stepdown, surgical stepdown and ER holding.
As a PCU Travel Nurse, you should be prepared to perform the following tasks:

  • Provide basic bedside care; stabilize critical cardiac patients.
  • Change dressings, insert catheters and start IVs.
  • Prepare, administer and record prescribed medication, reporting any adverse reactions to treatment.
  • Monitor and adjust specialized equipment used on patients, and interpret and record electronic displays.
  • Initiate corrective action whenever information from monitoring equipment shows adverse symptomatology.
PCU Travel Nurses should be able to stand and walk for long periods of time, as well as bend, lean and stoop without difficulty. RNs should be able to easily lift 20 pounds. Moving or lifting of patients may require lifting of up to 50 pounds at times. Because of the fast-paced environment, Progressive Care Unit RNs must possess good skills for coping with stress and be able to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Requirements*: BLS, 2 Years
* Additional certifications may be required before beginning an assignment.

TotalMed RN Job ID #1491641. Pay package is based on 12 hour shifts and 36.0 hours per week (subject to confirmation) with tax-free stipend amount to be determined. Posted job title: Progressive Care Unit - PCU RN - Travel Nurse

About TotalMed RN

TotalMed is a Top Ten, travel nursing and healthcare staffing agency with the mission of igniting purpose in healthcare. The organization staffs nurses, therapists, pharmacists, and other clinicians of all specialties in all 50 states. They offer local and travel jobs and match caregivers with the right organization to assist both facilities and patients. As an organization, they focus on putting highly-skilled staff into facilities to ensure adequate staffing for a better patient experience.


TotalMed specializes in recruiting and placing healthcare professionals in travel, PRN, and permanent positions across the country in Nursing and Allied Health. Throughout 2020, the organization filled roles at even the most short-staffed facilities during the most challenging time in healthcare. By matching the right travel healthcare professional with the right organization, TotalMed continues to offer a lifeline to facilities and their patients.

Benefits
  • Weekly pay
  • Guaranteed Hours
  • Continuing Education
  • 401k retirement plan
  • Sick pay
  • Wellness and fitness programs
  • Referral bonus
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Medical benefits
  • Dental benefits
  • Vision benefits
  • Benefits start day 1

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