Cardiac Stepdown | Registered Nurse

Cardiac Stepdown Registered Nurse (RN) Travel Contract in Rockford, Illinois

Apply for a Cardiac Stepdown RN travel nursing job in Rockford, Illinois, caring for complex patients in a high-acuity intermediate-care setting. This on-site travel contract is ideal for an experienced Registered Nurse who is confident caring for cardiac, neurologic, septic, respiratory, and surgical patients in acute care. Join a 23-bed unit with telemetry monitoring, supportive clinical resources, and opportunities to strengthen your progressive-care and critical-care nursing skills.

Located in northern Illinois, Rockford offers a welcoming community, outdoor recreation along the Rock River, and convenient connections to larger Midwest destinations.

Travel Nursing Job Details

• Nursing Specialty: Cardiac Stepdown / Intermediate Care / Progressive Care
• Employment Type: 13-week travel nursing contract
• Location: Rockford, Illinois
• Weekly Estimated Pay: $2,130–$2,250
• Guaranteed Hours: 36 hours per week
• Shift: 12-hour night shifts, typically 7:00 p.m.–7:30 a.m.
• Contract Duration: 13 weeks
• Start Date: October 26, 2026
• Patient Population: Cardiac, stroke, sepsis, respiratory, and surgical patients
• Unit Size: 23 beds with typical nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:3–4
• Scheduling: Weekend rotation and every-other-holiday rotation based on unit needs
• Call Requirement: None
• Documentation: Electronic health record experience preferred

Cardiac Stepdown RN Job Requirements

• Active Illinois Registered Nurse license, or confirmation that the Illinois licensing process has been initiated
• At least 1 year of recent acute-care, progressive-care, stepdown, or intermediate-care nursing experience
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications from the American Heart Association
• Current NIHSS certification meeting assignment requirements
• Demonstrated experience with cardiac monitoring, stroke care, sepsis management, and surgical patients
• Competency with tracheostomy care, BiPAP, CPAP, high-flow oxygen, and IV medication titration
• Ability to interpret cardiac rhythms and respond appropriately to changes in patient condition
• Willingness to float throughout the hospital, excluding emergency and obstetric departments
• Professional scrub attire is required

Cardiac Stepdown Registered Nurse Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to intermediate-care patients with complex cardiac, neurologic, respiratory, septic, and postoperative conditions
• Assess patients, develop and update individualized care plans, and evaluate patient outcomes
• Continuously monitor cardiac rhythms and accurately interpret telemetry findings
• Titrate and safely manage medications such as heparin, nitroglycerin, diltiazem, norepinephrine, nicardipine, and dexmedetomidine according to clinical protocols
• Manage patients receiving BiPAP, CPAP, high-flow oxygen, and other advanced respiratory support while collaborating with respiratory therapy
• Perform tracheostomy care and other assigned procedures within scope of practice
• Recognize changes in patient status and promptly escalate concerns to the provider and care team
• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, therapists, technicians, and support staff to coordinate safe patient care
• Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, treatments, medications, and discharge planning
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and promote a safe, respectful, patient-centered environment

Apply now for this Cardiac Stepdown RN travel contract in Rockford, Illinois, and join a collaborative acute-care nursing team.

Benefits

401K with Matching, Healthcare, Dental and Vision

Equal Opportunity

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