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Step Down Unit Rn Jobs in Nashville, TN (NOW HIRING)

Travel PCU RN

Hermitage, TN · On-site

$1.5K - $1.6K/wk

Progressive Care Unit (PCU) / Step-Down / Telemetry * Location: Hermitage, Tennessee * Healthcare ... Active RN license and current BLS and ACLS certifications * At least 1 year of recent Progressive ...

Travel PCU RN

Nashville, TN · On-site

$1.9K - $2.6K/wk

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 ...

Travel PCU RN

Nashville, TN · On-site

$1.9K - $2.6K/wk

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 ...

Travel PCU RN

Hermitage, TN · On-site

$1.7K - $2.4K/wk

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 ...

Travel PCU RN

Hermitage, TN · On-site

$1.7K - $2.4K/wk

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 ...

Travel PCU RN

Nashville, TN · On-site

$1.9K - $2.6K/wk

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 ...

Travel PCU RN

Nashville, TN · On-site

$1.9K - $2.6K/wk

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 ...

Travel PCU RN

Hermitage, TN · On-site

$1.7K - $2.4K/wk

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 ...

Travel PCU RN

Nashville, TN · On-site

$1.9K - $2.6K/wk

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 ...

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Step Down Unit Rn information

See Nashville, TN salary details

$37.7K

$69.9K

$98.5K

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

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for step down unit rn in Nashville, TN is $69,931.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,600.00 and $67,100.00 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 Nashville, TN?

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

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

The top searched job categories for Step Down Unit Rn jobs in Nashville, TN are:

Travel Step-Down Unit RN

PRN Healthcare

Clarksville, TN • On-site

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

PRN Healthcare is seeking a travel nurse RN Stepdown for a travel nursing job in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Job Description & Requirements
  • Specialty: Stepdown
  • Discipline: RN
  • Start Date: 10/26/2026
  • Duration: 13 weeks
  • 36 hours per week
  • Shift: 12 hours, nights
  • Employment Type: Travel

PRN Healthcare Job ID #1578957. Pay package is based on 12 hour shifts and 36 hours per week (subject to confirmation) with tax-free stipend amount to be determined. Posted job title: SDU RN

About PRN Healthcare

Our story starts with a 21-year-old CNA named Pete Hietpas. Pete was diligently working in eastern Wisconsin with a variety of staffing agencies, but something was missing. He loved caring for his patients, but felt that staffing agencies were exchanging compassion for competitiveness. He was determined to change that. As a result, he started Nurses PRN in 1995 to become a model for the healthcare staffing industry – being competitive in the marketplace, yet still maintaining a compassionate heart.


Over the years Nurses PRN grew and evolved as a nationwide healthcare staffing company, and therefore wanted to be more inclusive to all valued healthcare professionals: nurses, allied health, locum tenens, CNAs, and more. This lead to the introduction of PRN Healthcare, which is inclusive of Nurses PRN and all of our other healthcare divisions.


Our mission to create authentic, meaningful relationships with our healthcare professionals helps us set them up for success in their dream assignment, whether that be a travel contract, local contract, or per diem shift. This is all driven by the simple idea that better care for our healthcare workers, leads to better patient care – and this is all supported by a dedicated internal staff.


Our company culture is strongly backed by faith-based values and activities, to remind us that our success provides us the opportunity to serve and give back to our communities. This is the spirit of caregiving. This is PRN Healthcare.

Benefits
  • Weekly pay
  • Guaranteed Hours
  • Continuing Education
  • 401k retirement plan
  • Referral bonus
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Company provided housing options
  • Medical benefits
  • Dental benefits
  • Vision benefits
  • Life insurance

PRN Healthcare logo

About PRN Healthcare

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As a result, he started Nurses PRN in 1995 to become a model for the healthcare staffing industry - being competitive in the marketplace, yet still maintaining a compassionate heart. Over the years Nurses PRN grew and evolved as a nationwide healthcare staffing company, and therefore wanted to be more inclusive to all valued healthcare professionals: nurses, allied health, locum tenens, CNAs, and more. This lead to the introduction of PRN Healthcare, which is inclusive of Nurses PRN and all of our other healthcare divisions. Our mission to create authentic, meaningful relationships with our healthcare professionals helps us set them up for success in their dream assignment, whether that be a travel contract, local contract, or per diem shift. This is all driven by the simple idea that better care for our healthcare workers, leads to better patient care - and this is all supported by a dedicated internal staff. Our company culture is strongly backed by faith-based values and activities, to remind us that our success provides us the opportunity to serve and give back to our communities.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Appleton, WI, US

Year founded

1995