Registered Nurse (RN) Cardiothoracic Stepdown
Job Description
About the Role
Join Duke Careers as a Registered Nurse (RN) Cardiothoracic Stepdown in United States. At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.
Key Responsibilities
- will provide exemplary nursing care, support complex patient populations, and contribute to a strong culture of collaboration, excellence, and patient‑centered service.
- will care for adult patients recovering from a broad range of cardiothoracic procedures—including CABG, heart and lung transplants, valve repair/replacement, aortic and aneurysm repairs, lobectomies, VAD therapy, and other high‑acuity conditions.
- must complete the DUHS Nurse Residency Program within 12 months Eligibility for promotion to CNII within 18 months based on residency program criteria Graduation from an accredited: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or Nursing Diploma program RNs without a BSN must enroll in a BSN program within 2 years and complete it within 7 years of their start date Licensure & Certifications Current RN licensure with the North Carolina Board of Nursing, or compact RN license (NC licensure required within 60 days of start) BLS certification required (higher certifications preferred) Professional nursing specialty certification preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Strong understanding of the nursing process and professional nursing practices Ability to assess and meet the needs of acute and chronically ill patients Excellent communication and collaboration skills Ability to remain organized, focused, and adaptable in a high-acuity environment Competency with computer systems and electronic documentation Ability to meet physical requirements, including prolonged standing and walking Working knowledge of infection control, safety protocols, and regulatory standards Joint Commission compliance familiarity Pre‑employment Physical Capacity Testing required Why Duke Health? Work alongside nationally recognized cardiothoracic specialists Opportunities for clinical advancement through Duke’s Clinical Ladder Program A collaborative, supportive team culture that values professional development Access to continuing education, certification support, and evidence‑based practice initiatives Commitment to excellence, innovation, and whole‑person patient care Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.
- provide exemplary nursing care, support complex patient populations, and contribute to a strong culture of c.
Requirements
- What You’ll Bring Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required No prior nursing experience required—new graduates encouraged to apply.
- Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging.
Benefits & Compensation
- Signing bonus: $15,000.
- Student loan repayment assistance.
Work Schedule
- Full-Time position.
- No explicit call, weekend, or night shift information provided.
This position offers a signing bonus, student loan benefits. Work with Duke Careers in United States.
Key Skills
Position Insights
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Registered Nurse (RN) Cardiothoracic Stepdown at Duke Careers a 2.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as below average. This places the position in the average range of all Cardiothoracic Surgery registered nurse listings evaluated on our platform.
Candidates should carefully assess workload expectations and scheduling demands before applying.
Cardiothoracic Surgery — Registered Nurse Career Context
This Cardiothoracic Surgery position at Duke Careers is open to registered nurse candidates.
Registered Nurses have diverse career pathways from bedside care to telehealth triage, care coordination, and leadership roles with increasingly flexible scheduling options.
Compensation Analysis
Stated compensation: Up to $25,000.
Location & Logistics
This position is based in Durham, North Carolina.
Skills, Responsibilities & Benefits
Key skills and qualifications: Nursing Process, Acute Care, Chronic Care, Communication, Collaboration, Adaptability, Electronic Documentation, Infection Control. Candidates with experience in these areas may be especially well-suited for this Cardiothoracic Surgery role.
Core responsibilities: The Clinical Nurse (RN) will provide and supervise direct and indirect nursing care utilizing the nursing process, delivering advanced and specialized care aligned with the DUHS Professional Practice Model. Responsibilities also include serving as a resource, participating in departmental activities...
Benefits package: $15,000 Commitment Bonus, Up to $25,000 Nurse Loan Forgiveness, Relocation Assistance, Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, Clinical Ladder Program, Continuing Education. A comprehensive benefits package is an important factor in evaluating total compensation beyond base salary.
About WeekdayDoc
WeekdayDoc is the only healthcare job board that scores every position for burnout risk and work-life balance. Every listing includes a proprietary burnout score, transparent salary data when available, and lifestyle filters for no-call, no-weekends, and remote positions. Browse more Cardiothoracic Surgery registered nurse jobs on WeekdayDoc to compare work-life balance scores and compensation across employers.
Benefits & Perks
Work-Life Balance Score
Job Details
Employment Type
Full-time
Posted
1mo ago
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