Cardiac Stepdown Nurse Career Guide

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Overview

A Cardiac Stepdown RN, sometimes known as a Progressive Care Unit (PCU) nurse or Telemetry nurse, is a specialized healthcare professional who plays a crucial role in the care and monitoring of patients with cardiac conditions. Working in the Cardiac Stepdown unit of hospitals or healthcare facilities, these nurses provide intermediate care to patients who have been stabilized

Education

Becoming a Cardiac Stepdown RN requires a solid educational background in nursing. Aspiring nurses typically complete either an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program. ADN programs usually take around 2 to 3 years to complete, while BSN programs typically require 4 years of study.

After

Qualifications

Skills

Becoming a successful Staff or Travel Cardiac Stepdown RN requires a diverse set of skills, including both technical and interpersonal competencies. These skills encompass a strong understanding of cardiac conditions, treatments and medications, proficiency in using monitoring equipment to interpret ECGs and other cardiac data and competence in administering cardiac medications while monitoring their effects. Additionally, critical thinking

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Responsibilities

Cardiac Stepdown RNs shoulder a variety of responsibilities, all aimed at delivering specialized care to patients with cardiac conditions. These responsibilities encompass continuous monitoring of patients' cardiac status, including vital signs and telemetry data. They are proficient in administering and monitoring the effects of cardiac medications and intravenous therapies. Additionally, Cardiac Stepdown RNs conduct thorough assessments to evaluate patients' progress

Salary Insights

Salary guide

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Cardiac Stepdown Nurse

$1,875-2,503/week

The average salary for a Cardiac Stepdown Nurse is $2,210.63 per week.

Last updated on December 21, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

Pros & Cons

Becoming a Cardiac Stepdown RN offers a unique set of benefits and challenges:

Pros:

Specialized Knowledge: Cardiac Stepdown RNs gain specialized knowledge and skills in the management of cardiac conditions
Career Growth: Experience in the Cardiac Stepdown unit can open doors to advanced nursing roles or specialized cardiac nursing certifications
Patient Impact: Helping patients on their journey to recovery and improved cardiac health is

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