Cardiac Nurse: Cardiovascular & Telemetry Nursing

Cardiac Nurses specialize in caring for patients with heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and those recovering from cardiac procedures. Working in cardiac units, cardiac ICUs, catheterization labs, and cardiac rehab, these nurses combine critical thinking skills with advanced cardiovascular knowledge to manage one of healthcare's most common and serious disease categories.

What Cardiac Nurses Do

Cardiac nurses monitor heart rhythms via telemetry, interpret EKGs, administer cardiac medications, assist with cardiac catheterizations, provide post-open heart surgery care, educate patients on heart-healthy lifestyles, and respond to cardiac emergencies like arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. They work with cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes.

Salary & Compensation

Average Salary: $75,000 - $100,000 annually
Entry-Level: $68, 000 - $78,000
Experienced Cardiac RN: $85,000 - $110,000
Cardiac ICU/Cath Lab: $90,000 - $120,000

Cardiac specialty nurses in ICU settings or procedural areas (cath lab, EP lab) earn premium pay. Cardiac certification often adds $1-3/hour.

Work Environment

Settings: Cardiac telemetry units, cardiac ICU (CVICU), catheterization labs, electrophysiology labs, cardiac rehabilitation, heart failure clinics

Schedule: Hospital units: 12-hour shifts. Cath labs: may have on-call. Cardiac rehab: Monday-Friday outpatient hours

Patient Population: Acute MI, heart failure, arrhythmias, post-CABG, post-valve replacement, pacemaker/ICD patients

Requirements & Skills

Certifications: BLS and ACLS required, CCRN (cardiac critical care) for ICU, eventually pursue Cardiac-Vascular Nursing (RN-BC) or PCCN

Key Skills: EKG rhythm interpretation, hemodynamic monitoring, cardiac medication management, post-procedure care, patient education on lifestyle modifications

Critical Knowledge: Understanding cardiac pathophysiology, arrhythmias, cardiac medications (beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, antiarrhythmics)

Career Path

Cardiac nurses can advance to Cardiac Cath Lab, Cardiac ICU, EP Lab, Heart Failure Clinic, or pursue Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with cardiac specialization. Leadership roles include Cardiac Unit Manager or Cardiac Program Coordinator.

Pros & Cons

Pros: High demand (cardiac disease is #1 killer), specialized knowledge valued, good job variety (telemetry, ICU, cath lab), strong outcomes when patients improve, respected specialty

Cons: High acuity patients, frequent codes/emergencies, complex medication management,patient education can be frustrating (lifestyle changes hard for patients), emotionally demanding

Cardiac nursing suits detail-oriented, quick-thinking nurses interested in cardiovascular health and enjoy both acute care and patient education.