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Step Down Unit Rn Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

TNAA TotalMed RN

Travel CVICU RN

Houston, TX · On-site

Travel We're looking for Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit RNs for an immediate travel nurse opening in Houston, TX. The right RN should have 1-2 years' recent acute care experience. Read below for ...

Protouch Staffing

RN PACU - Contract

Houston, TX · On-site

$1.9K/wk

RN - PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) Houston, TX | Competitive Weekly Pay | 40 Hours/Week Protouch ... Apply today and let Protouch Staffing help you take the next step in your nursing career!

GHR Healthcare

Travel NICU RN

Pasadena, TX · On-site

$1.5K - $1.6K/wk

Discipline: RN * Start Date: 09/28/2026 * Duration: 13 weeks * 36 hours per week * Shift: 12 hours ... step in your NICU nursing career in Pasadena, Texas. Benefits 401K with Matching, Healthcare, ...

HCS 247

Travel NICU RN

Pasadena, TX · On-site

Our clinical coverage includes Registered Nurse specialties such as ER, ICU, Med-Surg, Telemetry, Step-Down, OR, PACU, L&D, Mother/Baby, NICU, Cath Lab, Endoscopy, and more along with a full range of ...

Thrive Staffing

Travel ICU RN

Houston, TX · On-site

Travel ICU Registered Nurse (RN) We are seeking a dedicated and experienced ICU Registered Nurse ... If you're a healthcare professional looking to take the next step in your career, we're here to ...

United Surgical Partners

RN PACU

Cypress, TX · On-site

RN PACU South Texas Specialty Hospital is hiring a PRN RN PACU Welcome to South Texas Specialty Hospital We have 25 Beds and 8 OR rooms and 3 ER Rooms. We perform outpatient surgical procedures in ...

United Surgical Partners

RN PACU

Houston, TX · On-site

RN PACU South Texas Specialty Hospital is hiring a PRN RN PACU Welcome to South Texas Specialty Hospital We have 25 Beds and 8 OR rooms and 3 ER Rooms. We perform outpatient surgical procedures in ...

United Surgical Partners

RN PACU

Katy, TX · On-site

RN PACU South Texas Specialty Hospital is hiring a PRN RN PACU Welcome to South Texas Specialty Hospital We have 25 Beds and 8 OR rooms and 3 ER Rooms. We perform outpatient surgical procedures in ...

United Surgical Partners

RN PACU

The Woodlands, TX · On-site

RN PACU South Texas Specialty Hospital is hiring a PRN RN PACU Welcome to South Texas Specialty Hospital We have 25 Beds and 8 OR rooms and 3 ER Rooms. We perform outpatient surgical procedures in ...

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All JobsStep Down Unit Rn JobsStep Down Unit Rn Jobs in Houston, TX

Step Down Unit Rn information

See Houston, TX salary details

$37.2K

$69.1K

$97.4K

How much do step down unit rn jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for step down unit rn in Houston, TX is $69,141.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,900.00 and $66,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a step down unit RN?

Step Down Unit RNs are registered nurses who care for patients who require more attention than those on a general medical-surgical floor but are not critical enough for the intensive care unit (ICU). They monitor patients closely, administer medications, and respond quickly to changes in condition. Step Down Unit RNs often work with patients recovering from surgery, cardiac events, or severe illnesses, providing advanced monitoring and support to help them transition to lower levels of care.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a step down unit RN?

To thrive as a Step Down Unit RN, you need strong clinical assessment skills, acute care experience, and an active RN license, often with ACLS certification. Familiarity with telemetry monitoring, electronic health records (EHRs), and advanced life support protocols is essential. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and resilience help you manage complex patient needs and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring patient safety and optimal outcomes in a high-acuity, fast-paced environment.

What are common challenges faced by step down unit RNs, and how can they be addressed?

Step Down Unit RNs often manage patients who are too ill for general medical-surgical floors but do not require intensive care, which means rapidly changing patient conditions can present significant challenges. Balancing a higher patient-to-nurse ratio than in the ICU while still providing vigilant monitoring requires strong organizational and prioritization skills. Effective communication with multidisciplinary teams and quick decision-making are essential to ensure patient safety. Many RNs find that actively seeking mentorship, participating in continuing education, and using available support resources can help manage these challenges and support professional growth.

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

AspectStep Down Unit RnMedical-Surgical Nurse
CredentialsRN license, possibly CCRN or specialty certificationsRN license, often same certifications
Work EnvironmentIntermediate care units, closer patient monitoringGeneral hospital floors, broader patient care
Patient AcuityHigher acuity, more complex casesModerate acuity, routine cases
Job FocusMonitoring critical signs, managing unstable patientsProviding basic nursing care, patient education

The main difference between a Step Down Unit Rn and a Medical-Surgical Nurse lies in patient acuity and care complexity. Step Down Unit Rns handle higher acuity patients requiring closer monitoring, while Medical-Surgical Nurses care for patients with moderate needs. Both roles require an RN license and similar certifications, but the work environment and patient care focus differ significantly.

Do step down unit RNs get paid more?

Step Down Unit RNs typically earn higher salaries than those working in general medical-surgical units due to the increased complexity of patient care and the specialized skills required. Their advanced training, certifications, and experience in critical care contribute to higher compensation levels.

What are popular job titles related to Step Down Unit Rn jobs in Houston, TX?

For Step Down Unit Rn jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Step Down Unit Rn jobs in Houston, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Step Down Unit Rn jobs in Houston, TX are:

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Step Down Unit Rn jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Step Down Unit Rn job openings:

Step Down Unit Rn jobs near you
Infographic showing various Step Down Unit Rn job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,141 per year, or $33.2 per hour.

Travel CVICU RN

TNAA TotalMed RN

Houston, TX • On-site

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

TNAA TotalMed RN is seeking a travel nurse RN CVICU for a travel nursing job in Houston, Texas.

Job Description & Requirements
  • Specialty: CVICU
  • Discipline: RN
  • Start Date: 09/28/2026
  • Duration: 13 weeks
  • 36 hours per week
  • Shift: 12 hours, days
  • Employment Type: Travel

We're looking for Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit RNs for an immediate travel nurse opening in Houston, TX. The right RN should have 1-2 years' recent acute care experience. Read below for more requirements.
As a CVICU Travel Nurse, you will work with a diverse team of caregivers to administer care to patients following specialized procedures including open-heart surgery and heart transplants. Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit RNs should have experience and skill caring for patients in a fast-paced, urgent and critical care environment.
As a CVICU Travel Nurse, you should be prepared to perform the following tasks:

  • Provide critical care to patients with potentially life-threatening heart conditions.
  • Prepare and administer prescribed medications.
  • Take samples for diagnostic tests; order, interpret and evaluate diagnostic tests.
  • Apply hemodynamic, phlebotomy and IV protocols.
  • Be called in for emergencies to provide CPR and operate defibrillators hospital-wide.
  • Educate patients and family members on how to manage recovery at home.
CVICU 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, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit RNs must possess good skills for coping with stress and be able to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Requirements*: ACLS, BLS, NIH, 3 Years
* Additional certifications may be required before beginning an assignment.

TNAA TotalMed RN Job ID #1491740. 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: Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit - CVICU RN - Travel Nurse

About TNAA 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
Travel Nurse Across America logo

About Travel Nurse Across America

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) is a leading healthcare staffing firm headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. Their primary focus lies within the healthcare industry, specializing in providing travel nurses for medical facilities across the country. Founded in 1999, TNAA has thrived over the years by maintaining an unwavering dedication to quality service, reliability, and personalized care for both the clients and the teams they contract. Their mission is driven by their commitment to improve the lives of the patients they serve by ensuring they're provided with the most highly skilled, caring, and dedicated healthcare professionals.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services and health care and social assistance

Company size

201 - 500 Employees

Headquarters location

North Little Rock, AR, US

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