Travel Registered Nurse - Operating Room Open Heart - Milwaukee, WI

Travel assignment, 13 weeks, 8hr days, 40 hours a week, starting November 23, 2026.

Pay as Cross Country posts it: about $2,541 a week in all, a taxable rate of $24.33 an hour plus $1,568 a week in housing and meal stipends.

Job Summary

Operating Room Open Heart (OR OH) Nurse in Milwaukee, WI. This role involves providing specialized perioperative care for cardiac and thoracic surgeries within a Level III Trauma Center that holds Magnet Designation and serves as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. The position requires working in a fast-paced environment with a focus on advanced surgical procedures, including CABG, TAVR, valve replacements, robotic thoracic cases, and heart transplants.

Job Details

• Position Description:

The role involves supporting the surgical team in cardiac and thoracic surgeries, maintaining patient safety, and ensuring efficient operation of the operating room.

• Required Qualifications:

Certifications: BLS (Basic Life Support); Education: Graduation from accredited school; Specialty: Operating Room – Open Heart; Experience: 0 years minimum; Location: Milwaukee, WI; Schedule: Days, 8-hour shifts, 40 hours per week.

• Preferred Qualifications:

None specified.

Additional Information

• Must have a strong cardiovascular operating room background, capable of independently handling cases such as CABG, TAVR, valve replacements, robotic thoracic procedures, generator exchanges, lead extractions, heart transplants, and femoropopliteal bypass.
• Experience in a fast-paced environment is required.
• Operating room team will always include two registered nurses per case—travellers will circulate.
• Support staff includes department supervisors, managers, team leads, anesthesia staff available 24/7, and other specialized personnel.
• Use of electronic medical record system (EPIC) and specialized equipment including Alaris, Pyxis, and Davinci XI is required.
• Orientation includes two weeks of training.
• Shift start times are 0500-0630 for nurses and 0530 for technicians and surgical assistants.
• Weekend rotations involve on-call duties with a 30-minute response time.
• Holiday coverage is on call as needed, adhering to fatigue policies limiting weekly hours.
• Scrub color and documentation procedures are provided, with amenities such as free parking and onsite cafeterias.

Benefits

• The benefits of taking a travel assignment with Cross Country include:

Private housing or generous housing allowance

Comprehensive health insurance with prescription coverage

Dependent health insurance with prescription coverage

Competitive salaries

Referral bonuses

Travel reimbursement

401(k) retirement plan

Direct deposit/free checking

Unlimited free CE credits