Cardiovascular Surgery Stepdown Nurse

CommonSpirit Health; Little Rock (AR); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus up to $25,000

Referral bonuses

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Excellent benefits

Job summary

CHI St Vincent Infirmary, part of CommonSpirit Health, seeks a Cardiovascular Surgery Stepdown Nurse. You will monitor patients emerging from cardiac procedures, respond to emergencies, and coordinate care with the team to ensure safety and comfort.

Requires current RN license and 12 months of acute care experience, with BLS/ACLS within 30 days. A sign-on bonus and comprehensive benefits are offered to eligible applicants.

Qualifications

• Active RN license in good standing in Arkansas or compact state.
• 12 months of acute care nursing experience required.
• Cardiac and/or ICU experience strongly preferred.
• BLS and ACLS certifications within 30 days of start date.

Responsibilities

• Monitor critically ill patients post extensive cardiac surgery as they transition out of CVICU.
• Take shift reports, perform care per care plan, and manage routine procedures.
• Provide continued care, escalate as needed, and advocate for patients and families.
• Assist with care tasks, equipment use, and emergency response measures.
• Maintain patient comfort, anticipate informational and emotional needs.
• Supervise and guide junior staff and technicians as assigned.

Skills

Multitasking

Clinical judgment

Patient advocacy

Team communication

Education

Registered Nurse license

BLS/ACLS certifications

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Cardiovascular Surgery Stepdown Nurse at CHI St Vincent Infirmary, you’ll monitor patients who are critically ill and unstable following extensive injury, surgery, or life-threatening disease. Your patients are out of CVICU, but not quite well enough to transition to a regular hospital room.

You’ll begin each shift by taking report from a nursing teammate before making your rounds. You’ll provide continued care and perform procedures as detailed in the care plan. CV Stepdown Nurses deliver care to patients in critical condition who are suffering heart problems. These patients are often coming out of cardiac surgery and require a very specialized level of care.

To thrive in this role, you’ll heavily depend on your ability to multitask and react. You’ll clinically care for your patients- remaining focused and attentive as you continuously monitor your patients throughout your shift. You also serve as their advocate- supporting their best interests when they cannot. However, your sound judgment during an emergency and rapid response are impressive, putting you on the radar for advancement.

• Assesses, plans, and implements nursing care 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 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, tuition reimbursement and relocation assistance.

Job Requirements

• Registered Nurse license in good standing, State of Arkansas or compact state license required prior to start date
• 12 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)
• Previous Cardiac and/or ICU experience strongly preferred
• BLS through the American Heart Association is required within 30 days
• ACLS through the American Heart Association is required within 30 days

Where You'll Work

CHI 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.