JobsAdvocate Health

Registered Nurse (RN) CVOR

Advocate Health · Milwaukee, WI

Posted Sep 14, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Walk me through your experience circulating in a cardiovascular OR. What kinds of cases have you covered, and how does that compare to the CABG, aortic dissection, VAD, and transplant volume here?

whether their actual case exposure matches the complexity of this specific CVOR service line

Tell me about a time a cardiac case took an unexpected turn, maybe a crash onto bypass or an emergent return to the OR. What did you do as the circulator?

composure and role clarity during high-acuity emergencies specific to cardiac surgery

Tell me about a time you caught a break in sterile technique during a procedure. What did you do in the moment?

vigilance and willingness to speak up even when it disrupts the surgical team

This unit runs on shared governance and has a strong Magnet culture. Tell me about a time you pushed for a change in practice or raised a concern through a formal process rather than just letting it go.

fit with a professional governance model where nurses are expected to advocate through structure, not just complain

Tell me about a time you had to onboard or support a newer nurse or tech in the OR during a stressful case.

mentorship ability and team stability given rotating and flex staffing

Technical

Describe how you set up and stock an OR for a case like a heart transplant or VAD implant, including how you handle equipment and supplies that aren't routine.

depth of hands-on preparation skill for high-complexity, low-frequency procedures

How do you document intraoperatively during a long, complex case without falling behind or missing something important?

real-world documentation discipline under sustained workload

How do you keep track of positioning needs and pressure points for a patient who might be in a case for six or eight hours?

knowledge of prevention protocols for prolonged cardiac surgery patients

Walk me through how you do instrument and sponge counts on a complex cardiac case, and what you do if a count comes back wrong.

rigor around a core patient-safety responsibility that carries real liability

Situational

How do you run the time out for a CVOR case, and what do you do if a surgeon wants to skip or rush through it?

willingness to hold the line on safety protocol against pressure from senior staff

You're on call and get pulled in at 3am for an emergent dissection repair. What's going through your head as you prepare the room, and what do you check first?

readiness for the on-call, rapid-mobilization demands of the role

Say the surgeon and the anesthesiologist disagree in the middle of a case about how to proceed, and it's starting to slow things down. What do you do as the circulator?

ability to manage team dynamics and keep the case moving without overstepping clinical authority

Shifts here start anywhere between 0500 and 0630, plus on-call rotation, and you'd need to live within 30 minutes of the hospital. How does that fit with your life right now?

honest assessment of logistical commitment before it becomes a retention problem

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 37706 Aurora St. Lukes Medical Center - Surgery Room: Tower Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: M-F Day shift position with varied start times between 0500-0630 with on-call requirements, 8 hr shifts Rotating on-call requirements based on current staffing levels ***Flex coverage model for PM and night shifts utilized as needed Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 Registered Nurse (RN) – CVOR Circulator Where You Will Work: Milwaukee, WI, United States Centrally located in the south side of Milwaukee Must Live Within 30min of Hospital for On Call  • 8 Operating rooms - CVOR • CABG, Aortic Dissection, VAD, Heart transplants  • Robotic thoracic procedures • many other cardiothoracic cases  We’re Looking For: • Completion of an accredited or approved program in nursing • Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the teammate practices • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association • Strong preference for experience RN and/or prior OR experience What You’ll Do: • As a skilled and compassionate RN, you will play a pivotal role in providing and coordinating comprehensive patient care through the nursing process to deliver safe, therapeutic care in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures. • Using evidence-based practice, clinical decision making, compassion, and skills communication while leading efforts to create the safest patient environment and the best patient experience across the continuum. • Circulator role includes - time outs, positioning of patient, maintains sterile and safe environment, prepares the OR with necessary supplies, checks for inventory, and documents all aspects of the procedure About This Location: Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center is a 938-bed, quaternary acute care community hospital that provides advanced health care expertise. The organization offers leading edge oncology, cardiovascular and neurology therapies for primarily adult patients. Nursing professional governance is a particular organizational strength, with over 40 years of experience in clinical nurse shared decision making. Aurora St. Luke’s has been recognized for Nursing Excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition Program® since 2001, most recently celebrating our 6th consecutive designation in February 2024. Be the Nurse Who Redefines Care.  At Advocate Health, being a nurse means more than delivering exceptional clinical care—it means leading with purpose, compassion, and boldness. As part of our One Advocate Nurse community, you’ll join a unified team committed to lifting others up, embracing innovation, and creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive. You’ll be empowered to think boldly, collaborate with humility, and drive change through fearless curiosity. Whether you're at the bedside, in the community, or advancing care through research and education, you’ll help shape the future of health—because here, we’re redefining care for you, for us, for all.   Your feedback matters. Every nurse’s voice is vital in shaping our culture and improving care. We value your insights and experiences because they help us grow stronger together. Ready to Take the Next Step: Apply Now! Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

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