What is a Registered Nurse?
A Cardiac Step-Down Nurse operates between the levels of general and ICU care, and more recently, in the field of critical care, as well.
Schedule and Shift
- 3 days of 12 hours (7 PM – 7 AM – Night)
Primary Job Responsibilities
- Collects current symptoms, as well as detailed patient history, and then consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans
- Performs triage while considering both physical and psychosocial elements
- Manages basic life support needs and stabilizes patients until the attending physician is available, based on nursing standards and protocol
- Initiates corrective action whenever information from monitoring equipment shows adverse symptomatology
- Records patient's current vital signs
- Works directly under physicians, assisting them during exams, diagnostic testing, and treatments
- Prepares and administers (orally, subcutaneously, through an IV) and records prescribed medications.
- Reports adverse reactions to medications or treatments following the policy regarding the administration of medications by a licensed registered nurse
- Provides IV therapy
- Cleans and bandages wounds
- Provides basic bedside care
- Maintains proper supplies and appropriate medical equipment to care for patients
- Reports any suspected abuse to the appropriate agencies
- Initiates patient education plan as prescribed by a physician. Teaches patients and significant others how to manage their illness/injury by explaining: post-treatment home care needs, diet/nutrition/exercise programs, self-administration of medication and rehabilitation, as well as provides referrals to other healthcare professionals for follow-up treatment
- Displays professionalism while completing multiple urgent tasks promptly.
- Records all care information concisely, accurately, and entirely, on time, in the appropriate format, and on the appropriate forms.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have
- Registered Nurse (RN) license
- 2 years of experience in an Cardiac Step-Down setting
- BLS, ACLS, TNCC