Cardiovascular Surgery Nurse
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Little Rock, AR, 72205
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 32.28-45.89 HOUR
Date Posted : 3 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
As a CVOR Nurse at CHI St Vincent, you will prepare patients for surgical procedures and assist in the operating room to ensure they receive excellent nursing when they are at their most vulnerable.
Every day you will go over consent forms, answer questions about the procedure, do preoperative assessments, make sure the equipment is ready to go, and update family members on the surgery status during the operation. You will be expected to directly assist the surgeon during the actual surgery.
To be successful in this role you must have the ability to maintain focus while multitasking, remain calm under pressure, and exercise good judgment in emergency situations.
While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, and more.
CHI St Vincent Infirmary is a 600 bed faith-based, non-profit, acute care facility providing quality health care to patients and communities from all over the State of Arkansas. Our level II trauma center is a regional referral center for cardiology, trauma, behavioral health, cancer care, neurosciences, and other specialties. We have been consistently named by US News & World Report as one of the State’s best hospitals, with high performance in heart care, colorectal surgery, and joint replacement.
- Assesses, plans, and implements nursing care in the CVOR while ensuring patient comfort
- Anticipates, identifies, and responds to informational and emotional needs of patients and families
- Guides and directs healthcare personnel (i.e., Patient Care Technicians) in caring for patients
- Maintains knowledge of equipment setup, maintenance, and use (i.e., IV pumps, monitoring equipment, and drainage devices) Utilizes safeguards such as IV pump drug library and monitor alarms with necessary
- Initiates emergency support measures (i.e., cardiopulmonary resuscitation, protecting patient from injury)
- Assists with patient care duties/tasks (i.e., emptying drainage devices, ambulating, and hygiene)
We are offering a sign on bonus up to $25,000 depending on shift to hires who meet the eligibility requirements. We also offer additional pay for participation in our clinical ladder as well as referral bonuses, excellent benefits, and relocation assistance.
Job Requirements
- Unencumbered license to practice in the State of Arkansas
- 6 months of acute care experience is required (new graduates or nurses who have never worked in an acute care setting are hired through our residency training program) 1 year of experience is required for all PRN positions.
- Previous CVOR experience is strongly preferred, but not required.
- BLS through the American Heart Association is required
While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, and more!
Where You'll WorkCHI St. Vincent, a regional health network serving Arkansas, is part of CommonSpirit Health. We have served Arkansas since 1888 with a history of many firsts. Together with more than 4500 coworkers, 1000 medical staff and 500 volunteers we consistently receive praise for care advancements. CommonSpirit Health was formed by the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health in 2019. With our combined resources CommonSpirit is committed to building healthy communities advocating for those who are poor and vulnerable and innovating how and where healing can happen both inside our hospitals and out in the community. CHI St. Vincent provides you with the same level of care you provide to others. We care about our team member well-being and offer benefits that complement and support your work/life balance.
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Frequently asked questions
Cardiovascular Surgery Nurses in Little Rock focus on perioperative care specific to heart and vascular surgeries, requiring acute attention to surgical protocols, patient monitoring during critical procedures, and collaboration with cardiothoracic surgeons. This specialty demands specialized skills in cardiovascular equipment and emergency interventions uncommon in general nursing roles.
Beyond the mandatory Arkansas nursing license and BLS certification, credentials like ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) and CNOR (Certified Perioperative Nurse) are highly regarded. These certifications demonstrate advanced competencies crucial for managing cardiovascular surgical patients and improve hiring prospects within Arkansas medical centers.
Progression can involve pursuing nurse practitioner roles specializing in cardiology, gaining expertise as a cardiovascular surgical tech, or moving into leadership positions overseeing perioperative nursing teams. Continuous education and certification in interventional cardiology or vascular nursing further enhance growth opportunities.
Catholic Health Initiatives offers a faith-based environment emphasizing compassionate care paired with extensive benefits like significant sign-on bonuses and clinical ladder incentives. Nurses benefit from working at a renowned trauma center with access to cutting-edge cardiology resources and strong community ties in Arkansas.
This position integrates direct surgeon assistance in a Level II trauma center setting, blending acute surgical nursing with patient-family communication during procedures. The combination of faith-based values, robust support programs, and advanced cardiology services sets it apart from other cardiovascular nursing roles statewide.
Little Rock's healthcare sector has a growing demand for cardiovascular nurses due to its regional trauma and cardiac referral centers. While competition exists, acute care experience and specialized skills like CVOR familiarity significantly improve hiring chances in this mid-sized but medically advanced city.
Salaries typically range from $65,000 to $85,000 annually, influenced by experience, shift differentials, and certifications. Given Catholic Health Initiatives’ competitive benefits and sign-on bonuses, total compensation can be above regional averages, reflecting the specialized nature of cardiovascular surgical nursing.
Yes, multitasking is integral as nurses simultaneously manage equipment setup, patient assessment, and real-time surgical assistance. The dynamic environment at Catholic Health Initiatives demands calm, focused nurses capable of quick judgment, especially in emergency interventions during complex heart procedures.
Arkansas’ community-focused healthcare culture emphasizes supportive teams and employee well-being, reflected in flexible scheduling and comprehensive benefits. Nurses often find a balanced pace compared to larger metro areas, allowing meaningful patient care while maintaining personal time.
Proficiency with IV pumps featuring drug libraries, cardiac monitors, and drainage devices is essential. Nurses must understand setup, troubleshooting, and alarm response to safeguard patient care during high-stakes cardiovascular operations performed at Catholic Health Initiatives.