Cardiovascular Surgery Stepdown Nurse

CHI; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 44,468 - 60,035; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus up to $25,000

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

CHI in Little Rock, Arkansas, is looking for a Cardiovascular Surgery Stepdown Nurse to monitor critically ill patients post-surgery. The role requires a valid Registered Nurse license in Arkansas, 12 months of acute care experience, and skills in multitasking, patient advocacy, and emergency response. Benefits include a sign-on bonus up to $25,000, excellent pay, and additional bonuses for clinical ladder participation. Shift work requires adherence to BLS and ACLS certification within 30 days.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse license in good standing, Arkansas or compact state.
• 12 months of acute care experience required.
• Previous cardiac and/or ICU experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess and implement nursing care while ensuring patient comfort.
• Identify and respond to informational and emotional needs of patients.
• Guide healthcare personnel in patient care duties.

Skills

Multitasking

Critical thinking

Patient advocacy

Emergency response

Education

Registered Nurse license

BLS certification

ACLS certification

Tools

IV pumps

Monitoring equipment

Drainage devices

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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).

Benefits

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.

Pay Range

$32.28 - $43.58 /hour