How to Become a Cardiac Nurse
Explore the Critical World of Cardiac Care Nursing.
Did you know that patients with heart conditions are often cared for by Cardiac Nurses? These medical professionals are involved in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. This means that Cardiac Nurses will always be needed to help care for individuals and the overall health of their communities.
This blog post covers the duties, skills, and educational requirements for becoming a Cardiac Nurse. We’ll also go over salary information and the job outlook. Learn how to become a Registered Nurse and explore the best hospital nursing jobs to see if this career path is right for you.
Cardiac Nurse: Definition
What is a Cardiac Nurse?
Cardiac Nurses assist patients who have heart conditions and cardiovascular diseases. They do this by adhering to a treatment plan assigned by a cardiologist, administering medication, and monitoring each patient’s progress. The daily responsibilities of a Cardiac Nurse can vary depending on their employer and the facility, but they should always promote cardiovascular health and assist their patients.
Cardiac Nurse: Job Description
What Does a Cardiac Nurse Do?
Under the supervision of cardiologists, Cardiac Nurses fulfill a variety of tasks to care for patients with acute or chronic heart conditions. They may need to use equipment like defibrillators for patients with acute heart failure. In addition, they might assist surgeons during heart surgeries. They also monitor heart conditions, perform advanced cardiac life support, provide patient care and catheterization, and more. The ideal Cardiac Nurse excels at critical thinking and communication.
In addition, Cardiac Nurses must possess effective communication skills as well as critical thinking skills. These strengths are necessary to manage complex cardiac conditions and collaborate with other healthcare professionals on a daily basis. Some of the conditions they manage include:
- Coronary artery disease
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- Heart arrhythmia
Cardiac Nurse: Duties and Responsibilities
Although no two days are alike, Cardiac Nurses typically perform the following duties:
- Evaluating a patient’s current conditions and medical history.
- Assessing a patient’s symptoms and looking for signs of heart disease.
- Taking vital signs, monitoring intake and output, checking overall skin color, etc.
- Administering treatments and medications. This includes managing side effects and inserting or removing IVs, chest tubes, etc.
- Providing postoperative care to patients who have had cardiac surgery. They look for any signs of complications, such as blood clots, infection, hematoma, and more.
- Educating patients on rehabilitation practices after a cardiac event. For example, the patient may need to implement lifestyle changes that revolve around diet and exercise.
- Providing education and support to patients about their condition and treatment options.
- Communicating and coordinating care with healthcare providers and family members to ensure continuity of care.
Cardiac Nurse: Skills
Not only do Cardiac Nurses possess acute care nursing skills, but they should have a solid foundation in areas like hemodynamics and infection control. Cardiac Nursing is a challenging but rewarding career that requires a unique set of skills and qualities.
Here are some of the essential skills and qualities that are needed for success in this field:
Clinical Skills: We’ve used the word “must” a lot, but when it comes to an organ as vital as the heart, Cardiac Nurses must have a strong knowledge base in areas such ECG interpretation, medication management, and knowledge of cardiac conditions and treatments. They should also stay up to date with the latest research and best practices in cardiac care.
Compassion and Empathy: Like all nurses, Cardiac Nurses should be compassionate and empathetic towards patients and their families. Ideally, they can connect with patients and provide emotional support during difficult times.
Communication Skills: Cardiac Nurses must be skilled communicators who can explain complex medical information in a way that patients and families can understand. They must also be able to communicate effectively with other members of the interdisciplinary team (i.e., cardiologists, other nurses, etc.)
Flexibility and Adaptability: Cardiac Nurses should be flexible and adaptable, as patient needs and situations can change rapidly. They must be able to adjust care plans and interventions as needed. Additionally, Cardiac Nurses often work in high-stress environments while delivering patient care.
Cardiac Nurse: Work Environment
Where Do Cardiac Nurses Work?
Cardiac Nurses may work in settings like hospitals, medical clinics, intensive care settings, rehabilitative facilities, and long-term care facilities. In particular, you can often find them in ICUs and hospital cardiology or surgical units. You will likely also encounter them in cardiac catheterization labs, cardiovascular interventional units, and cardio-thoracic surgical units.
There are various potential career opportunities for Cardiac Nurses, such as roles in interventional cardiology, cardiac surgery units, and electrophysiology labs. In addition, Cardiac Nurses can apply their skills and pursue further education to become Cardiac Care Nurse Practitioners. According to Nurse Journal:
“Advanced practice nurse practitioners partner with cardiologists and surgeons to provide follow-up care after surgery, educate families, and monitor treatments. Cardiac nurse practitioners may assist during surgery or manage cardiac rehabilitation for patients recovering from a serious heart condition.”
Cardiac Nurse Education & Certification
How to Become a Cardiac Nurse
Aspiring Cardiac Nurses must earn a nursing degree, pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and gain experience in cardiac nursing. For the latter, you can pursue entry-level roles to help get your foot in the door. Certification will often require about two years of experience; 2,000 hours in the field of clinical cardiac nursing, and 30 continuing education hours.
Some options for certification include the following:
- Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC™)
- Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC®)
- Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC®)
Cardiac Nurse Salary
How Much Do Cardiac Nurses Make?
Although the BLS doesn’t report salary data specifically for Cardiac Nurses, we can reference data for Registered Nurses (RNs) to provide a general understanding of the average salaries. In 2023, the average annual wage for Registered Nurses was approximately $94,000 per year.
Salaries for Cardiac Nurses can vary significantly based on the employer, experience, and location. Areas with a higher cost of living or in-demand healthcare facilities may offer higher pay to attract nurses. Experience also plays a crucial role in determining a Cardiac Nurse’s pay.
Cardiac Nurse: Job Outlook
What Is the Job Outlook for Cardiac Nurses?
Although the BLS doesn’t report job outlook data for Cardiac Nurses, we can refer to the projected job growth for Registered Nurses (RNs) to provide insights into the growing demand for Cardiac Nurses. The BLS anticipates a 6% growth in employment for RNs from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
In terms of career advancement opportunities, Cardiac Nurses may choose to pursue advanced degrees and further training to become Cardiac Care Nurse Practitioners. Nurse Practitioners generally earn higher salaries than RNs. As stated by the BLS, Nurse Practitioners received an annual salary of about $129,000 in 2023. In addition, the BLS projects that the job outlook of Nurse Practitioners will grow 38 percent by 2032.
Your Journey into Nursing Starts Here
In this article, we have discussed the career path of becoming a Cardiac Nurse, including their primary duties and responsibilities, the necessary education and certification requirements, potential career opportunities, and the job outlook for this profession. One important aspect highlighted in this article is the role Cardiac Nurses play in promoting cardiac health and providing specialized care to patients with heart conditions.
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