Cardiac nurses, or cardiovascular nurses, specialize in cardiovascular heart health. Heart disease continues to affect millions of Americans, and cardiac nurses help treat patients with various heart conditions by administering different medications and therapies.
Cardiac nurses work under cardiologists, and take on many tasks to treat both acute and chronic heart conditions. For patients with acute heart failure, like heart attacks or cardiac arrest, they use tools like defibrillators. Cardiac nurses may assist surgeons with heart surgery as well.
For patients with chronic conditions, cardiac nurses may monitor and assess heart conditions. They carry out or help with various treatments, like advanced cardiac life support or catheterization laboratory.
Cardiac nurses find employment in many types of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, intensive care settings, medical clinics, and rehabilitative or long-term care facilities. You can find out how cardiac nurses’ roles differ in these various settings below:
Cardiac nurses in ICU units may need to administer certain drugs or use a defibrillator after cardiac arrest or heart attack. They may use hemodynamic or telemetry monitoring, and they use intracardiac devices like catheters and balloon pumps. Many Cardiac ICUs also recover patients after surgeries.
Monitor patients’ heart activity and electrocardiograms, administer medication and other treatments, and educate patients and their families about their condition.
Prepare patients for surgery, assist the surgeon with any tasks during surgery, and help patients recover post-op.
If becoming a cardiovascular nurse appeals to you, make sure to evaluate the pros and cons of the profession before you decide whether to pursue this career.
Offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), this certification evaluates nurses’ knowledge of cardiac-vascular assessment techniques and tools. Candidates must possess at least two years of full-time RN experience, at least 3,000 hours of work experience in cardiovascular nursing, and 30 hours of continuing education.
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers this credential to nurses who provide care to critically ill patients after surgery. To qualify, nurses need 1,750-2,000 hours of experience working with acutely ill patients post-op. The credential can last for two or five years.
From the AACN, this certification is for registered nurses who care for acutely ill cardiac patients. Nurses applying for this certification work in cardiac care units, ICUs, telemetry, and other medical settings. The certification requires cardiac patients to possess 1,750-2,000 hours of experience working with critically ill patients.
The American Red Cross grants BLS certification, which evaluates RNs’ CPR, defibrillator, and other life support skills. For this certification, registered nurses need to take training courses from the Red Cross.
This credential assesses nurses’ knowledge of life saving skills in cardiopulmonary emergencies. That includes resuscitation, bag mask ventilations, and other airway management techniques. Candidates must take a course to qualify for this certification.
Cardiovascular nursing salaries vary based on factors like experience, location, and education level. PayScale data shows that these professionals earn an average base salary of $88,646. Total pay for cardiovascular nursing salaries ranges from $51,000 – $90,000, according to PayScale.
The job outlook for nurses in general remains optimistic as well. The number of RNs could increase by 7% from 2019 to 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That amounts to nearly 222,000 additional RN jobs during that time period. With the number of aging Baby Boomers and the prevalence of heart disease in the U.S., the healthcare system will likely see an increased need for cardiovascular nursing jobs too.
Find State-Specific Salary Data HereIf you decide to pursue certification, then it can take 4-6 years to become a cardiovascular nurse. This depends on multiple factors, like whether you pursue a two-year ADN or a four-year BSN and whether you enroll in these programs full- or part-time. In addition, although cardiac nurses need a minimum of two years working specifically in cardiovascular health before they can apply for certification, it sometimes takes longer to gain enough experience.
Cardiovascular nurses sometimes work in teams with their fellow nurses. They also work under the direction of cardiologists and heart surgeons, assisting these physicians with complex medical tasks.
Board certification demonstrates that nurses possess the expertise they need to work in cardiology units. Although not necessary to find a job, it can give job seekers an edge over uncertified candidates. It can also lead to opportunities for career advancement and add leverage in negotiations for higher salaries.
Overall, the BLS projects the registered nurse profession could grow by 7% between 2019 and 2029, which is promising for a nurse in any speciality. Cardiovascular health also remains a particularly in-demand part of the healthcare system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans — in fact, heart disease accounts for 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. In other words, cardiovascular nursing jobs remain needed in the industry.
The PCNA aims to promote nurses as leaders within the cardiovascular health field. Members can participate in professional development opportunities, like the annual seminar and online learning sessions. The organization also offers Cardiac/Vascular Certification. Job seekers can utilize the PCNA's job board and take part in networking opportunities.
Established in 1924, the AHA operates as a nonprofit organization advocating for advances in cardiovascular health. The site publishes several resources for people suffering from heart disease and cardiac health care professionals. Individuals who sign up for professional membership receive subscriptions to the AHA's journal and other publications, and they may attend conferences and other events.
Critical and acute care nurses — including those specializing in cardiovascular health — may join this organization, which grants certification within the field. Members can access webinars, conferences, and events. The association also grants scholarships for professional development and excellence awards to outstanding nurses.
This organization connects nurses who work within a specific area of cardiovascular health: heart failure. Members can attend conferences and continuing education courses, and they can access nursing resources too. AAHFN gives out Nightingale Research Grants for individuals and scholarships for nurses who wish to further careers with a master's degree.
Elizabeth Clarke, FNP, MSN, RN, MSSW is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Clarke tired of the cold and snowy winters and moved to Coral Gables, Florida in order to complete her undergraduate degree in nursing at the University of Miami. After working for several years in the UHealth and Jackson Memorial Medical systems in the cardiac and ER units, Clarke returned to the University of Miami to complete her master of science in nursing (MSN). Since completing her MSN degree, Clarke has worked providing primary and urgent care to pediatric populations.
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