Nomad Health helps step-down travel nurses find and secure high-paying travel jobs nationwide in acute care hospitals. Step-down travel nurse jobs are a popular travel job specialty with Nomad Health. The demand for step-down travel nurse jobs has grown due to nursing shortages, seasonal illnesses, acute injuries, and additional support needed during COVID-19. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for nurses and step-down travel nurses is expected to grow 6% by 2032. This demand, along with healthcare facilities prioritizing the hiring of step-down travel nurse jobs bodes well for the future of this specialty.
To qualify for a step-down travel nurse job, you must meet certain requirements specific to the job. It’s important to know that each step-down travel nurse job may have slightly different requirements based on the location and needs of the facility. However, the following requirements are a general checklist for most step-down travel nurse jobs.
At a minimum, step-down travel nurse jobs require a college education from an accredited nursing program. You will need an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Keep in mind that some facilities may prefer a four-year bachelor's degree.
All step-down travel nurse jobs require an active RN license in the state where you plan on working. If the state is part of the nursing compact, a multistate nursing license may be accepted by facilities. If you are applying for a step-down travel nurse job in a state you haven’t worked in before, be prepared to obtain the appropriate license.
Many step-down travel nurse jobs on Nomad require at least 12-36 months of experience in the field, although this can vary depending on the facility and its needs. Some facilities may also require you to possess specialized skills in addition to the above requirements.
Step-down travel nurse hiring managers are often looking for candidates who possess specific certifications. If you are offered a travel nurse job in a step-down unit, you may be asked to obtain certain certifications before you can begin working. The most common required certifications for step-down travel nurse jobs are:
Step-down travel nurse jobs require nurses to be proficient in using technology and medical equipment found commonly in a step-down unit. Examples of equipment and tools you may be required to have experience with include:
Monitoring equipment
Working on a step-down floor, you’ll need a solid understanding of operating monitoring devices such as advanced cardiac monitors, pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors, and capnography.
Respiratory equipment
Many step-down travel nurses care for patients with mild to severe respiratory problems. Ventilators, tracheostomies, CPAP, BIPAP, hi-flow nasal cannulas, nebulizers, and suction devices are common tools.
Diagnostic equipment
Step-down travel nurses may care for the patient during diagnostic procedures, so a basic understanding of x-ray machines, ultrasound machines, CT scanners, and MRI machines is required.
Point-of-care testing devices
Step-down travel nurses use handheld devices to perform rapid tests including blood glucose monitoring, arterial blood gases, and stroke labs.
Intravenous (IV) equipment
Administering fluids and medications, and placing and managing IV lines are common responsibilities for step-down travel nurses.
Wound care tools
Step-down travel nurses may handle sterile instruments, assess wounds, and place dressings to care for patients with wounds.
Procedural equipment
Step-down travel nurses should know how to assist other medical professionals with common procedures such as intubations, chest tube insertions, thoracentesis, and paracentesis.
Supply and equipment readiness
Step-down travel nurses must keep crash carts updated including checking and replacing outdated or expired items. Step-down travel nurses should also know where to find emergency equipment such as defibrillators and emergency airway kits.
Emergency protocols
Anyone working a step-down travel nurse job should know how to call for a code and quickly get support while contacting the appropriate providers.
Step-down travel nurses require nurses to demonstrate specific soft skills, including:
Stress management
The step-down unit can be a stressful environment to work in. Successful step-down travel nurses find ways to manage the demands of intermediate care without sacrificing the quality of patient care and self-care.
Adaptability
As a step-down travel nurse, you must easily adapt to new step-down unit settings, workflows, patient populations, coworkers, charting systems, and equipment.
Autonomy
Step-down travel nurse jobs require you to be able to make decisions independently, especially during critical situations.
Communication and collaboration
While autonomy is important, it’s equally important for those working step-down travel nurse jobs to collaborate with other team members. This may include physicians, CT techs, lab techs, and respiratory therapists. Having excellent communication and conflict management skills can go a long way. You may also deal with patient family members experiencing difficult emotions, so having a professional and empathic bedside manner is important.
Immunization requirements
To secure a step-down travel nurse job, you must be up-to-date on your immunizations according to facility policy. This may include recent flu vaccines, TB tests, hepatitis B titers, and more.
Background check and drug screen
Pre-employment background checks and drug screenings are an important part of obtaining a step-down travel nurse job. Verifying employment history and reference are also common procedures for each new assignment. Many travel agencies will pay for expenses related to background checks and drug screening.
A step-down travel nurse’s duties may range from advanced life support to critical medication administration. Step-down travel nurses usually perform the same duties and responsibilities as staff step-down nurses; one difference is that step-down travel nurses are expected to adapt quickly to new work environments with a minimal orientation period. It’s important to note that every step-down travel nurse job comes with unique duties and responsibilities based on the facility’s needs.
The most critical duty of step-down travel nurse jobs is safe and evidence-based patient care. These nurses work with patients who are hospitalized for various reasons and at varying levels of acuity; step-down travel nurses must use their clinical judgment and recognize when a situation requires immediate intervention rather than be prioritized for later. Routine patient care tasks include: taking and interpreting vital signs, assessing clinical presentation and history, and administering medications while monitoring reactions. Other tasks include placing IVs, performing reassessments, responding to emergencies, and providing discharge instructions and education.
One of the most common duties of a step-down travel nurse job is to participate and/or assist medical teams with procedures for patients. Some of the most common procedures emergency room travel nurse jobs may require experience for are:
Step-down travel nurses continuously monitor patient status including vital signs, consciousness levels, and pain levels. Through monitoring, these nurses can adjust care plans based on patient feedback and data from tools such blood pressure monitors, pulse oximetry, lab work, and more.
A part of a step-down travel nurse’s job is to educate family members about the patient’s condition, prognosis, and care needs. Step-down travel nurses explain and break down complex medical terminology and explain procedures in a way that is easier to understand for families and guardians of the patient who may need to make critical decisions about care.
Documentation is an important responsibility of step-down travel nurses because it allows for a timely, accurate record of observations and interventions performed. Step-down travel nurses are responsible for documenting and securing information before, during, and after routine and critical care, including:
Step-down travel nurses require nurses to prepare and present discharge instructions to patients ready to be dispositioned back home or to another level of care. These plans include a summary of the patient's visit and treatments administered, post-care instructions, and prescription information. Step-down travel nurses may also need to coordinate with social services and case management if further discharge planning is needed.
Remember, no travel job is the same. Every step-down travel nurse job comes with duties and responsibilities based on the current needs of the healthcare facility. While the above duties and responsibilities are common across many step-down travel nurse jobs, individual travel jobs listed on Nomad Health may come with duties outside this scope. If you have questions about a certain step-down travel nurse job on Nomad, please contact a Nomad Navigator.
There are plenty of good reasons why considering a step-down travel nurse job is a smart move. From financial incentives to personal growth, a travel job might be just what you need to take the next step in your nursing career.
With an overall increase in chronic and acute illnesses, along with an aging population living longer and requiring more medical services, step-down travel nurse jobs remain in demand. Because of this, you can sleep easy knowing that your job is secure and less susceptible to economic downturns.
Step-down travel nurses may offer higher compensation than staff step-down travel nurse jobs. Many things can impact travel pay including your experience, education, location, credentials, and facility needs. When you browse step-down travel nurse jobs on Nomad, you’ll see a pay breakdown (including the travel stipend) of every job so you know exactly how you can earn before you apply.
Step-down travel nurse jobs provide an opportunity to work with new technologies. Common technology that step-down travel nurses get exposure to include:
Step-down travel nurse jobs allow you to collaborate cross-functionally with interdisciplinary healthcare staff ranging from physicians to staff nurses and respiratory therapists. When you work closely with these teams, you can grow your skills and broaden your perspective on patient care.
Step-down travel nurse jobs can put you on the fast track to learn about the latest education, techniques, treatments, and equipment used in the field. If you’re interested in getting ahead of the curve, applying for step-down travel nurse jobs might be the right choice.
One of the biggest perks of step-down travel nurse jobs is deciding where you want to work. From the city to the facility, it’s up to you. Accepting step-down travel nurse jobs in new locations can expose you to new facilities and patient populations you may otherwise not experience in a regular staff position.
Most nurses agree that the best step-down travel nurse jobs offer a combination of high compensation and opportunities to expand your clinical experience. However, what makes a step-down travel nurse job the best depends on personal preferences, career goals, and financial goals.
To find the best step-down travel nurse job for you, research is key. First, determine which travel agencies offer step-down travel nurse jobs. Unfortunately, not all agencies work with step-down travel nurses.
Next, you should consider the reputation of the agency you’re considering working with. Use a search engine to read testimonials and reviews that other step-down travel nurses have left about the agency. These reviews should give you a general idea of whether the agency meets your standards, and if other step-down travel nurses recommend them.
While pay may often be the most important benefit of step-down travel nurse jobs, remember that additional perks such as stipends for scrubs, licenses, and travel, along with health insurance and the option to invest in a 401(k) should be factored into the equation. Unlike Nomad, not all agencies offer these types of benefits, so it's important to compare the additional perks before you accept a step-down travel nurse job.
If it’s your first time accepting a step-down travel nurse job, there are a few tips and tricks to help you feel prepared and ready to go on your first day. Every step-down travel nurse job is different, but excelling in one or more of these areas may ensure you are set up for success.
One of the most important questions you can ask your hiring manager is about the orientation and onboarding process for your step-down travel nurse job. Knowing how much support you will have at the beginning and during the assignment will help you set realistic expectations for your first week on the job.
Being adaptable is the key to starting any step-down travel nurse job. You will need to be prepared for ambiguity and performing tasks that you may not have much experience with.
Along the way, remember to network and build relationships with your new colleagues. Connect with other step-down travel nurses and learn about their experiences with the facility and traveling in general.
Remember to pack all the essentials you will need for your travel assignment. Depending on where your step-down travel nurse job is, it may be difficult to find a drug store or other convenience stores for items at the last minute, especially if you’re working in a rural area. We recommend packing extra pairs of scrubs, toiletries, and anything else to make you comfortable during your stay.
The demand for step-down travel nurse jobs varies across different states based on factors such as the number of healthcare facilities and the demographics of the regional population. Additionally, states with larger populations and advanced healthcare infrastructure may need more step-down travel nurses than others.
As one the the largest states, California has many medical facilities in densely populated areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Francisco that often hire step-down travel nurses. California also has strict nurse-to-patient ratio laws, which bodes well for patient safety and nurse satisfaction. Additionally, California’s higher cost of living may result in attractive pay rates.
Colorado's scenic landscapes attract a large population, and the state experiences a demand for healthcare services, particularly in areas with higher concentrations of residents. The state's active lifestyle also contributes to the need for medical professionals.
Because Florida has a significantly older population and an expansive medical system, the demand for travel step-down nurses is high, especially in cities like Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, and Orlando. Florida also experiences several natural disasters, including hurricanes, often resulting in spikes in demand for step-down travel nurses.
Georgia has thriving metropolitan areas like Atlanta and Savannah which can create a continuous demand for healthcare professionals such as step-down travel nurses. The state's varied demographics and high rural population also create a healthy demand for healthcare services.
North Carolina has a growing and diverse population, leading to an increased demand for healthcare services. The state's mix of urban and rural areas also contributes to varying demand for healthcare services, creating opportunities for travel step-down nurses.
Yes, step-down travel nurse jobs remain in high demand. Because the number of patients that require intermediate-level care continues to increase, facilities may need extra clinical support from step-down travel nurses.
Step-down travel nurse job lengths vary based on facility need. In general, most step-down travel nurse contracts are 13 weeks long, although it’s not uncommon to find contracts that last eight weeks.
To qualify for a step-down travel nurse job, you will need a two or four-year nursing degree, an RN license for the state where you want to work, at least two years of experience working in the field, and basic certifications like BLS and ACLS. However, each facility has different requirements for step-down travel nurse jobs, so make sure you review the individual qualifications before you apply.
Yes, you can choose the location for your step-down travel nurse job. Nomad Health features step-down travel nurse jobs across the United States. Some are in desirable locations like California, Florida, and Colorado.
How soon you can start your step-down travel nurse job will depend on the facility’s needs. Sometimes facilities need you to start ASAP, while others may allow you to negotiate a start date based on your convenience.
From the time you apply to the last day of your shift, you’ll get ongoing support from the Nomad Navigators. Once you’re on assignment, you will also have access to Clinical Navigators who are clinicians who have been in your shoes and are equipped to help you navigate any facility or clinical-related issues that may arise.
Yes! Step-down travel nurse jobs are an excellent way to fast-track professional growth. When you accept a step-down travel nurse, you can get exposure to new environments, patient populations, and technology that may help level up your skillset and compensation.