Cardiovascular Nurse

Cardiovascular nurses deliver care to a wide variety of cardiac and vascular patients. Patients may have had an acute event such as a stroke or heart attack. Others have chronic health problems such as hypertension or congestive heart failure and have developed complications. Children are also cared for by cardiovascular nurses if born with congenital or acquired heart conditions. Regardless of the event that led a patient to seek help, cardiovascular nurses must always be on alert that their patient may suddenly decompensate and need immediate attention.

There are several hospital units where cardiovascular nurses work based on the acuity and the type of treatment the patient needs. For example, heart attack and stroke patients usually enter the hospital through the ED and are transferred to a cardiac intensive care unit to be further stabilized and monitored. Some cardiovascular patients will be sent to surgery and may need more intense cardiopulmonary management. As patients improve, they may progress to a cardiac step-down or progressive care unit where cardiovascular nurses can still monitor them for complications.

Cardiovascular nurses are very involved in initiating and providing cardiac rehab education for patients and their families. In addition, they make sure that patients keep track of their progress and attend follow-up clinic checks.

Cardiovascular nurses often receive advanced training to improve their skills. There are several certifications they can acquire. Some become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) or clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who specialize in an area of cardiovascular care. ‍

Cardiovascular nurses perform some of the same activities as other nurses, but they are mainly focused on the cardiovascular system. Depending on the unit, general activities may include:

• Taking patient histories
• Recording vital signs and monitoring EKG rhythms
• Administering medications and running IV drips to control arrhythmias
• Doing physical exams, including listening to heart sounds
• Monitoring lab results and response to therapy
• Alerting the medical team to any significant changes that need attention

Cardiovascular nurses need strong assessment skills to determine if a patient is having or is likely to have an impending cardiovascular event. To be prepared they must be able to:

• Read EKGs, either as a strip or on the monitor
• Use a defibrillator for a life-threatening rhythm
• Calculate and run IV medication to reduce arrhythmias
• Assist in cardiac catheterization or stress testing if working in those departments
• Perform advanced cardiac life support if needed
• Provide patient education for rehab

Cardiovascular nurses often work in hospitals in a cardiac care unit such as the CCU, ICU or a cardiothoracic surgical unit. They may also work in clinics, cardiovascular centers, or home health agencies.

• Hypertension
• Coronary artery disease
• Stroke
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Stent insertion
• Angioplasty
• Thrombolytic therapy
• Heart valve disease and replacement
• Bypass surgery-CABG
• Other cardio-vascular surgeries

Cardiovascular nurses must be BCLS and ACLS certified. It is highly encouraged that they become certified in cardiovascular care. There are four main certifying organizations with several options to choose from:

· American Nurses Association offers offers certification in Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC)

· American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers certification in Cardiac Medicine (CMC) or Cardiac Surgery (CSC)

· American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCM) offers certification as a Cardiovascular Nurse (CVRN-BC)

Level I- non-acute care

Level II- acute care

Level lll- Cath lab and EKG certifications

· American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) offers certification as a Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional (CCRP)

Cardiovascular nurses must complete an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and obtain an active RN license. Most roles also require relevant clinical experience, such as work in an operating room or medical-surgical unit.

1. Complete an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree: takes two-to-four-year based on the program
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for your RN license after graduation
3. Apply after gaining experience in the OR, or a medical-surgical unit
4. Become certified in an area of cardiovascular nursing after meeting the prerequisites and gaining work experience.

You can advance your career by getting an MSN or doctoral degree with a cardiovascular focus. Alternatively, you can become a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner (CVNP) specializing in one or more areas of cardiac care and become certified, or a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in cardiovascular care and become an educator or manager.

Cardiovascular nurses typically make between $64,392 - $81,888, with a median salary of $72,605, according to Salary.com.

The May 2021 Bureau of Labor and Statistics report shows which states have the highest and lowest wages for nurses. They do not list by nurse specialty, but cardiovascular nurse salaries would likely follow suit. The highest-paid states are California, Hawaii, and Oregon. The lowest-paid states are South Dakota, Alabama, and Mississippi.

• American Association of Heart Failure Nurses
• Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing (CVSN)
• Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association
• The Society of Pediatric Cardiovascular Nurses