What do cardiac nurses do? A cardiac nurse assesses and treats patients who have suffered heart attacks and those with other forms of heart disease. Cardiac RNs may work in ICUs, cardiac catheterization labs or cardiac rehabilitation facilities. A B.S. in Nursing and license are required for this career.
Every day in the U.S., about 1,905 people die from heart disease, and every 40 seconds, a U.S. resident will suffer a heart attack. Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for a century, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Its prevalence is one reason there are so many cardiac nurses. In fact, this nursing specialty is the eighth largest inpatient specialty, with cardiovascular nurses comprising about 3% of the registered nurse (RN) workforce.
If you’re exploring how to become a cardiac nurse, you might want to know that it’s possible to earn your nursing degree in as few as 16 months upon successful completion of degree requirement courses (formerly called “prerequisites”). At Utica University, our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program confers a B.S. in Nursing on an accelerated timeline so you can get to work helping cardiac patients sooner.
Cardiology Nurses: Roles and Responsibilities
A cardiac nurse assesses and cares for patients who have suffered a range of heart problems, including acute health issues, like heart attack and cardiac arrest, and chronic conditions, like heart failure. Working in hospitals, intensive care settings, and rehabilitative facilities, cardiovascular nurses apply specialized skills to monitor cardiovascular health and initiate life-saving emergency measures, like using defibrillators.
What do cardiac nurses do in different settings? In the cardiac catheterization (cath) lab, nurses monitor and care for patients before, during, and after cardiac catheterizations. In the hospital cardiology unit, nurses monitor patients’ heart activity, administer medications, and deliver patient education. In ICU settings, cardiac nurses may use telemetry or hemodynamic monitoring, revive patients with a defibrillator, and help patients recover from cardiovascular surgeries.
There are many alternative careers for nurses outside traditional hospital settings.
What Do Cardiac Nurses Do?
The specific tasks of a cardiac care nurse vary depending on where they work, such as in the ICU or a rehabilitative facility. In general, however, these nurses may do any of the following:
- Administer medications
- Conduct stress tests
- Interpret EKGs
- Monitor vital signs
- Perform cardiac assessments
- Prepare patients for heart surgery and help them recover from it
- Provide advanced cardiac life support
- Provide patient and family caregiver education
Is Cardiac Nursing Difficult?
Cardiac nursing can be challenging sometimes, as cardiac RNs often work in fast-paced, stressful environments. A cardiac nurse must be able to handle unexpected emergencies at any time, and they need to think quickly. Not all cardiac patients will survive, and this can be emotionally difficult to bear.
Despite the challenges, many cardiac RNs find this nursing specialty rewarding, as they save lives and help people make good lifestyle choices. In addition, not all cardiac RN jobs are fast-paced; you could work in a cardiac rehab program, for example, and help patients regain long-term health.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Cardiology Nurse?
Each nurse candidate’s pathway is different. If you lack prior college education, you can apply to a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program, which typically takes four years of full-time study to complete. On the other hand, if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited school or at least 65 college credits, you could qualify to apply to Utica University’s ABSN program.
You might need to take some degree requirement courses to ensure you have the right academic foundation to succeed in nursing school, which can add time to your career pathway. After completing those courses, you can earn your degree in as few as 16 months. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for the NCLEX. Most students take the licensure exam within a couple of months of graduation, although some need more than one try to pass it.
To sum up, you can complete nursing school and take the exam within two years; however, degree requirement courses can lengthen the timeline.
Steps to Becoming a Cardiac Care Nurse
Before applying to nursing school, look at how to become a cardiac nurse, including the academic and licensure requirements.
Examine the nursing school requirements before you apply.
Earn a BS in Nursing
At Utica University, you’ll work through a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare you to practice evidence-based, patient-centered nursing to high standards. You’ll dive into nursing concepts in pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and others.
Utica University offers online coursework for greater convenience. You’ll also visit the ABSN program site in either Albany or Syracuse, New York, for in-person nursing skills and simulation labs, during which you’ll learn how to perform nursing tasks and work through patient care scenarios.
Clinical rotations are another crucial component of the nursing school curriculum. Over four semesters, you’ll complete nearly 600 clinical hours at nearby healthcare facilities, working in nursing specialties like pediatrics, acute care, and adult health.
Pass the NCLEX and Obtain Licensure
The NCLEX is the licensure exam that all nurse candidates must pass. The test is adaptive, meaning that each time you answer a question correctly, the next question will be a little more difficult. If you answer a question incorrectly, the next question will be a little less difficult. There is no set number of questions; rather, the test ends when the computer program determines it is finished assessing your competency level.
If you don’t pass the test on your first attempt, you can retake it. Passing it enables you to apply for a state-issued nursing license.
Obtain Clinical Experience
It may be possible to land a job in a cardiac care unit as a recent nursing graduate. If not, look for a job in acute care or medical-surgical to gain clinical experience. While you’re gaining experience, you can complete continuing education (CE) requirements in cardiac nursing. Doing so may help qualify you to later pursue jobs in units such as:
- Cardiac catheterization lab
- Cardio-thoracic surgical unit
- Cardiology unit
- Cardiovascular interventional unit
Obtain Professional Certifications
Nurses who obtain professional certifications in their specialty area demonstrate a high level of competence and expertise and a commitment to working toward favorable patient outcomes. As a cardiology nurse, you may choose to pursue the Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Another option is the Adult Cardiac Medicine Certificate (ACMC) from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
Consider Career Advancement as a Nurse Practitioner
Obtaining professional certifications is a great career move, but you may eventually be interested in pursuing further career advancement. A cardiac nurse practitioner (NP) is a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). All nurse practitioners are highly credentialed providers capable of practicing with greater autonomy than RNs.
To become a cardiac nurse practitioner, you’ll need to head to graduate school. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is currently the minimum academic qualification necessary to become an APRN, although you may wish to alternatively earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Then, you can take the board certification exam for aspiring cardiac NPs. Upon passing it, you can apply for an NP license from your state board of nursing.
Are Cardiac Nurses in Demand?
Millions of Americans suffer from some form of heart disease, making this nursing specialty a high-demand one. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the estimated job growth rate for all types of RNs will be 6% from 2023 through 2033, faster than average, indicating a need for 197,200 new nurses.
The demand for nurse practitioners in all specialties is even greater. The BLS estimates job growth for NPs to be 46% from 2023 through 2033, much faster than average.
Ready to Pursue Your Future in Cardiac Care?
With fully equipped labs, high-tech medical manikins and solid clinical partnerships, Utica University’s ABSN program is well-positioned to prepare you for success in cardiac care. As a nursing student, you’ll have access to our Academic Success Coaches, with whom you can work one-on-one whenever you need extra help.
When you’re ready to pursue your future as a cardiac care nurse, our admission representatives are here to help you get started. Contact us today to discover if you could be eligible to earn your nursing degree in as few as 16 months.
