Become a Cardiovascular Nurse

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Cardiovascular nurses care for people with heart disease and interact with their patients' families. They may monitor and treat acutely ill patients, or they may focus on cardiac rehabilitation—helping patients make lifestyle changes to prevent the worsening of their disease. Cardiovascular nursing requires detailed knowledge of a complex and ever-changing field, as well as exceptional critical care nursing skills.

Cardiovascular Nurse Career Overview

Most cardiovascular nurses work in hospitals. They care for critically ill patients, as well as those recovering from cardiac procedures such as bypass, angioplasty, or pacemaker surgery. Cardiovascular nurses may also help patients recover at home. These critical care nurses work with children and adults of all ages, although heart disease generally affects older people.

Cardiovascular nurses work as part of a team under the direction of a cardiologist. Here is a sampling of some of their daily responsibilities:

• Assessing and treating patients
• Providing postoperative care
• Monitoring stress test evaluations
• Monitoring cardiac and vascular readings
• Educating patients and their families
• Supporting patient lifestyle changes

Cardiovascular Nurse Education

Cardiovascular nurses, also called cardiac nurses or cardiac/vascular nurses, are registered nurses (RNs). Although earning a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the best way to advance your career, you can become an RN with a 2-year associate's degree or a 2- to 3-year hospital diploma program.

To take the cardiac/vascular nurse certification exam, you must complete a minimum amount of continuing education in the field, plus at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice. This certification is available through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Certified cardiovascular nurses earn significantly more than those without such credentials. Certification is required in many states and recommended in the others.

You may also consider completing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree to become a cardiovascular clinical nurse specialist. This will require at least two years of graduate study, as well as recognition by your state board of nursing as an advanced practice nurse (APN).

Cardiovascular Nurse Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of registered nurses in May 2006 was $57,280. As with any nursing specialty, your income as a cardiovascular nurse will vary depending on your training, certifications, location and years of experience.

Cardiovascular Nurse Career Outlook

As with all nursing careers, the demand for cardiovascular nurses is expected to increase significantly over the next 10 years (see information about the current nursing shortage). With the aging of the population and rapid advances in cardiac care technology, opportunities in the field of cardiovascular nursing are growing exponentially.

Job demand positively affects salaries, schedules, job openings, and the availability of training institutions and government grants for education. Since the health care industry is currently booming, there are many financial and educational incentives available cardiovascular nurses. One of these is the nursing loan forgiveness program, which helps students pay back their nursing college loans as they work in a nursing setting. Learn more about this type of financial aid that allows you to gain valuable cardiovascular nursing experience while getting reimbursed for your nursing school education.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009
Nursing Spectrum, 2004