Excellence

The Cardiovascular Surgery Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants (NPs/PAs) serve as integral members of a multidisciplinary team, working in close collaboration with surgeons, critical care anesthesiologists, fellows, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals. They provide 24/7 coverage in the Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CVS ICU), managing high-acuity patients. This inpatient role involves prompt assessments, therapeutic interventions, interpretation of diagnostic tests, and management of both acute and chronic medical conditions. A key component of the role includes educating patients and their families about the recovery process and underlying disease, supporting long-term health promotion.

Mayo Clinic is nationally ranked among the top hospitals for heart care and cardiovascular surgery by U.S. News & World Report. Our patient population includes adult cardiovascular surgical patients, heart and lung transplant recipients, and patients requiring advanced cardiac support devices such as VA/VV ECMO, RVAD/LVAD, and IABP. Working alongside leading surgeons and critical care anesthesiologists, NPs and PAs gain valuable experience in a highly specialized and intellectually stimulating environment, fostering continuous clinical growth and skill development.

This role follows a 13-hour rotating day/night schedule, with 16–17 self-scheduled weekends annually and two assigned holidays. There are no on-call responsibilities. The self-scheduling model supports a healthy work/life balance and allows for personal flexibility and professional development.

There are numerous opportunities for ongoing professional growth within our large and dynamic cardiovascular surgery APP team. These include involvement in educational initiatives, scholarly publishing, research through our professional development committee, and participation in quality and practice improvement projects. Team members are encouraged and supported by leadership and peers to pursue excellence in clinical care, education, and research. The ideal candidate is a motivated individual with a strong desire to continue learning and advancing in the field of cardiovascular surgery.

Master’s degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program and current Minnesota RN and NP licensure/certification, or eligibility for:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP or ACNPC-AG)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

OR

Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant program with current NCCPA certification and registration with the Minnesota State Board of Medical Practice.

• DEA registration is required.
• Additional certifications such as BLS, ACLS, or ATLS may be required depending on the specialty area.
• Prior experience is preferred but not required; however, inpatient clinical rotations are a minimum requirement for new graduates.

Application Requirements:

• External and internal applicants: Please attach 2–3 letters of reference to your online application.
• New graduates: Submit 3 reference letters from clinical preceptors who can speak to your skills and readiness for practice.
• Current Mayo Clinic employees: Attach your three most recent performance evaluations to be considered.