Registered Nurse Operating Room Jobs in Arkansas
Registered Nurse Operating Room jobs in Arkansas reflect steady demand, concentrated in hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and Level I and II trauma centers across the state. Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith are the primary hiring hubs, where large employers like Baptist Health, UAMS Health, and Mercy Health Arkansas operate flagship surgical programs. Perioperative nursing, scrub and circulating roles, and robotic-assisted surgery support are the most in-demand specializations right now. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 4 of 7+ Registered Nurse Operating Room jobs
Summary
The Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for all aspects of the nursing process when delivering and supervising direct patient care. This role involves assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care based on age-specific needs, ensuring a holistic approach to patient management. The nurse assumes responsibility for coordinating care efforts that emphasize patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction across the entire continuum of care.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Internal to an agency
Clarification from the agency
This vacancy is open to current permanent VA Nationwide employees and US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.
Duties
The Nurse is responsible and accountable for delivering comprehensive, evidence-based nursing care across surgical, invasive, and non-invasive procedures, ensuring optimal patient outcomes. This role involves independently planning, directing, and coordinating care for complex patients within the perioperative setting, including the operating room, ambulatory, surgery, and endoscopy units as needed. The nurse oversees the entire nursing process - assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation-while respecting individual patient needs and recognizing the vital contributions of interdisciplinary team members. Other duties included but not limited to the following:
- Maintains proficiency in both circulating and scrubbing roles across all surgical specialties and adheres to current standards from the Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directives, and institutional SOPs.
- Applies clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning, decision making, and evaluating outcomes within the immediate practice setting.
- Demonstrates the ability to improve the effectiveness of communications and interactions with others, to inspire their cooperation and confidence to ensure safe and effective outcomes in the current practice setting.
- Ensure the sterility of the surgical field, manage instrumentation and equipment safely, and perform accurate counting procedures to prevent retained surgical items.
- Actively participates in the Time Out process to verify correct site, side, and level and follows strict documentation protocols for implants, tissue products, and specimens.
- Delivers high-quality care for patients undergoing therapeutic and diagnostic endoscopy procedures, including both inpatients and outpatients.
- Assess physical and mental status pre-procedure, provide patient education on procedural and post-procedural care, and document responses and findings comprehensively.
- Collaborates with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to facilitate smooth transitions of care that align with the patient's goals and promote safety.
- Demonstrates leadership by fostering a safe, supportive environment that encourages professional development among colleagues.
- Provide informal feedback, share educational findings, and question clinical practices to ensure care remains evidence based.
- Participates actively in quality improvement initiatives, strategies to sustain evidence-based practice, and team discussions aimed at improving holistic care.
- Proficiency in maintaining, cleaning, and preparing endoscopy-specific equipment is essential.
- Recognizes changes in patient conditions and initiates appropriate emergency responses when necessary.
- Improves Veteran/patient driven care by resolving experience issues such as coordination of care, timeliness or process issues, common themes of dissatisfaction, or environment of care concerns for the immediate practice setting.
- Flexibility to adapt to schedule changes and to respond promptly during assigned on-call periods is required, with adherence to all facility policies regarding response times.
- Demonstrates the ability to improve the effectiveness of communications and interactions with others, to inspire their cooperation and confidence to ensure safe and effective outcomes in the current practice setting.Exemplifies clinical excellence, leadership, and collaboration to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centered care across all perioperative and endoscopic services.
- Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards
Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm (intermittent), excludes holidays and weekend, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
- English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
- Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
- Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.)
Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13099761.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Area of consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1st Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) employees;
2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent VA Nationwide employees; and
3rd Area of Consideration - all other applicants based on Veterans' Preference.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.
Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Other (1)
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/02/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13099761.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Agency contact information
1100 North College Avenue
Fayetteville, AR 72703
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued, and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
Overview
- 0610 Nurse
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
Summary
The Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for all aspects of the nursing process when delivering and supervising direct patient care. This role involves assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care based on age-specific needs, ensuring a holistic approach to patient management. The nurse assumes responsibility for coordinating care efforts that emphasize patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction across the entire continuum of care.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Internal to an agency
Clarification from the agency
This vacancy is open to current permanent VA Nationwide employees and US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.
Duties
The Nurse is responsible and accountable for delivering comprehensive, evidence-based nursing care across surgical, invasive, and non-invasive procedures, ensuring optimal patient outcomes. This role involves independently planning, directing, and coordinating care for complex patients within the perioperative setting, including the operating room, ambulatory, surgery, and endoscopy units as needed. The nurse oversees the entire nursing process - assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation-while respecting individual patient needs and recognizing the vital contributions of interdisciplinary team members. Other duties included but not limited to the following:
- Maintains proficiency in both circulating and scrubbing roles across all surgical specialties and adheres to current standards from the Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directives, and institutional SOPs.
- Applies clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning, decision making, and evaluating outcomes within the immediate practice setting.
- Demonstrates the ability to improve the effectiveness of communications and interactions with others, to inspire their cooperation and confidence to ensure safe and effective outcomes in the current practice setting.
- Ensure the sterility of the surgical field, manage instrumentation and equipment safely, and perform accurate counting procedures to prevent retained surgical items.
- Actively participates in the Time Out process to verify correct site, side, and level and follows strict documentation protocols for implants, tissue products, and specimens.
- Delivers high-quality care for patients undergoing therapeutic and diagnostic endoscopy procedures, including both inpatients and outpatients.
- Assess physical and mental status pre-procedure, provide patient education on procedural and post-procedural care, and document responses and findings comprehensively.
- Collaborates with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to facilitate smooth transitions of care that align with the patient's goals and promote safety.
- Demonstrates leadership by fostering a safe, supportive environment that encourages professional development among colleagues.
- Provide informal feedback, share educational findings, and question clinical practices to ensure care remains evidence based.
- Participates actively in quality improvement initiatives, strategies to sustain evidence-based practice, and team discussions aimed at improving holistic care.
- Proficiency in maintaining, cleaning, and preparing endoscopy-specific equipment is essential.
- Recognizes changes in patient conditions and initiates appropriate emergency responses when necessary.
- Improves Veteran/patient driven care by resolving experience issues such as coordination of care, timeliness or process issues, common themes of dissatisfaction, or environment of care concerns for the immediate practice setting.
- Flexibility to adapt to schedule changes and to respond promptly during assigned on-call periods is required, with adherence to all facility policies regarding response times.
- Demonstrates the ability to improve the effectiveness of communications and interactions with others, to inspire their cooperation and confidence to ensure safe and effective outcomes in the current practice setting.Exemplifies clinical excellence, leadership, and collaboration to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centered care across all perioperative and endoscopic services.
- Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards
Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm (intermittent), excludes holidays and weekend, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
- English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
- Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
- Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.)
Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13099761.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Area of consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1st Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) employees;
2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent VA Nationwide employees; and
3rd Area of Consideration - all other applicants based on Veterans' Preference.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.
Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Other (1)
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/02/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13099761.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Agency contact information
1100 North College Avenue
Fayetteville, AR 72703
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued, and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
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See All 7 Registered Nurse Operating Room Jobs in Arkansas
Find roles in Arkansas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsRegistered Nurse Operating Room Jobs by City in Arkansas
Where Arkansas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Registered Nurse Operating Room Job Market in Arkansas
A snapshot from current Arkansas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Arkansas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in registered nurse operating room jobs across Arkansas.
- Active Arkansas Registered Nurse license or multistate compact license recognized in Arkansas
- Current BLS certification and CNOR certification preferred or required by most employers
- Minimum two years of perioperative or scrub nursing experience in an acute care setting
- Demonstrated competency in circulating and scrubbing across multiple surgical specialties
- Familiarity with robotic-assisted surgical systems such as the da Vinci platform
- Strong communication skills for coordinating with surgeons, anesthesia, and sterile processing teams
Registered Nurse Operating Room Jobs in Arkansas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a registered nurse operating room in Arkansas?
You must hold an active Arkansas RN license issued by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, which requires completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN. From there, most OR positions require hands-on perioperative training, often gained through a hospital-run perioperative nurse residency. Earning the Certified Perioperative Nurse credential, known as CNOR, strengthens your application significantly and is expected for senior roles at Arkansas health systems.
How much do registered nurse operating rooms make in Arkansas?
Registered nurse operating rooms in Arkansas earn a median of about $78,940 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $60,780 for the lowest 10% to over $103,660 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire registered nurse operating rooms in Arkansas?
Companies currently hiring registered nurse operating rooms in Arkansas include Voyage Health, American Traveler, and Purple Cow Recruiting, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Arkansas's largest health systems and regional hospital networks drive the majority of OR nurse hiring, particularly in facilities with active surgical volume and expanding service lines.
Which Arkansas cities have the most registered nurse operating room jobs?
Johnson, Arkansas, and Paragould have the most registered nurse operating room openings in Arkansas. Little Rock anchors the market as home to flagship medical centers like UAMS Health and Baptist Health Medical Center, while Fayetteville and Fort Smith generate strong surgical hiring volume through regional hospital campuses and growing ambulatory surgery center networks serving Northwest Arkansas's expanding population.
Are there remote registered nurse operating room jobs in Arkansas?
Yes, but they're rare. Registered nurse operating room work is inherently hands-on and takes place inside a sterile surgical environment, which means remote options are extremely limited. About 0% of registered nurse operating room openings tied to Arkansas are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those roles typically involve care coordination, perioperative education, or clinical informatics rather than direct patient care in the OR.
How can I get hired as a registered nurse operating room in Arkansas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a perioperative nurse residency, which UAMS Health and Baptist Health both offer for RNs transitioning into the OR without prior surgical experience. Candidates who have worked as surgical technologists, procedure room nurses, or PACU nurses carry directly transferable skills that Arkansas employers recognize. Obtaining your CNOR eligibility and completing any available AORN-aligned training course gives new perioperative nurses a measurable edge during the hiring process.
Where can I find and apply to registered nurse operating room jobs in Arkansas?
You can find and apply to registered nurse operating room jobs in Arkansas on Migrate Mate, which lists current Arkansas openings across hospital systems, surgery centers, and specialty facilities. Search the available roles, identify the ones that fit your experience and preferred location, and apply directly through each listing.
See All 7 Registered Nurse Operating Room Jobs in Arkansas
Find roles in Arkansas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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