What Does a Cardiac Nurse Do?

Nursing is a diverse field with countless specialties and subspecialties, all focusing on different aspects of health that require specialized care, such as the cardiovascular system. As heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S., cardiac healthcare professionals are a necessity.

Cardiac nurses play an essential role in delivering care to cardiac patients. They must rely on their education and training to monitor and treat patients with acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions.

At Xavier University, our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program offers students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree the chance to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as 16 months. By leveraging their previous degree, students are prepared to become highly competent and compassionate nurses, ready to pursue the nursing specialty they’re most passionate about.

In this blog, we explore cardiac nursing, covering what cardiac nurses do and how you can become one.

The Role and Responsibilities of a Cardiac Nurse

Cardiovascular nurses care for patients with various acute and chronic heart conditions. They are involved in every stage of patient care, from treatment to rehabilitation. No day is the same for cardiac care nurses. The specifics of their day heavily depend on their patients and the cardiology unit.

Cardiac nurses work closely with cardiologists to carry out treatment plans. Their responsibilities can include the following tasks:

• Monitor and record changes in patient condition, such as vital signs and cardiac rhythms
• Track defibrillator use on patients
• Perform advanced cardiac life support
• Administer medication
• Provide patient education, such as informing patients about pacemakers

Cardiac nurses work in various clinical settings, which can influence their day-to-day responsibilities. They can work in intensive care units, hospital cardiology units and cardiac cath labs, where they monitor and assess patients who have undergone cardiac catheterizations.

Essential Skills and Competencies for Cardiovascular Nurses

Cardiac care nurses excel in their roles by exercising technical and soft skills. Technical skills are acquired through education and on-the-job training and refer to specific nursing techniques and medical equipment. Essential technical skills for cardiac nursing include:

• Advanced cardiac life support
• Cardiovascular assessment
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Medication administration
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) interpretation

Soft skills are transferrable skills that are not nursing-specific. Instead, these skills are typically developed inside and outside your training and can apply to many other facets of your life. The following list is a sample of the essential soft skills needed for cardiac nursing:

• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Collaboration
• Time management
• Computer literacy
• Compassion

Cardiology Nursing: Educational and Certification Requirements

To practice as a cardiology nurse, you must first receive a nursing education and earn either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a BSN to be eligible for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Upon passing the exam, you can apply for your nursing license with your state’s board of nursing.

Below is a closer look at how to become a cardiac nurse.

Education and Licensing Requirements

Cardiac nurses must complete a nursing program before they can take the NCLEX-RN. While earning an ADN qualifies you for the NCLEX-RN, a BSN is highly sought after for the quality of its education. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing notes that many employers prefer hiring BSN-educated nurses because studies have shown that a higher proportion of BSN nurses in a hospital unit leads to increased positive patient outcomes.

This is because BSN programs offer a comprehensive education that allows more time for students to hone their skills and participate in clinical hours. However, a BSN program is typically four years long, which is not ideal if you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.

Fortunately, accelerated BSN programs allow students with a preexisting college education to earn their BSN quickly. Xavier’s ABSN program has created a pathway for those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to earn their BSN in 16 months over four semesters (not including the time needed to complete prerequisites).

At Xavier, our ABSN program includes online coursework, nursing skills and simulation labs, and nursing clinicals. Our online coursework lays a foundation of key nursing concepts on which students build their skills through in-person nursing labs.

Our nursing skills and simulation labs allow students to practice and develop essential skills, such as administering intramuscular injections and nasogastric intubation on full-body medical manikins. In these labs, students gain confidence in delivering patient care in simulated settings. They also participate in simulated clinical scenarios in which students exercise clinical judgment while working together as a care team.

Lastly, these skills are applied to hands-on practice in nursing clinicals. Students provide direct patient care in various clinical settings and specialties throughout the Cincinnati, Columbus and Independence areas of Ohio while under the guidance and supervision of healthcare staff and preceptors.

Upon earning their degree, students must pass the NCLEX-RN to obtain a nursing license. The NCLEX-RN is a nationally recognized licensing exam that tests applicants’ nursing competency and clinical judgment. Preparation for the exam begins while in nursing school and should increase in intensity as the exam day nears.

Once you pass the NCLEX, you can obtain your nursing license by registering with your state’s board of nursing.

Optional Cardiac RN Certifications

After acquiring a few years of experience working as a registered nurse in cardiology units, you can strengthen your credentials by pursuing optional certifications. Some options include:

• Cardiovascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC): Offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), this credential certifies nurses’ knowledge and competency in cardiovascular care.
• Cardiac Medicine Certification: Offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), this cardiac medicine certification certifies cardiac nurses’ competency in caring for acute and critically ill cardiac patients. It is also recognized by the Magnet Recognition Program.
• Cardiac Surgery Certification: Offered by the AACN, this credential certifies nurses’ competency in caring for acute and critical surgery patients.
• Basic Life Support (BLS): The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association (AHA) offer this certification, which trains individuals to provide CPR and basic cardiovascular life support.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): Offered by the AHA, this certification leverages BLS skills to navigate cardiovascular emergencies.

The Cardiovascular Nursing Certification, Cardiac Medicine Certification and Cardiac Surgery Certification require a minimum number of years of experience as a registered nurse and a minimum number of hours working in cardiology units.

Career Opportunities and Outlook

Cardiac nurses can pursue subspecialties, such as cardiovascular operating room nurses, or advance their careers to pursue advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) positions, such as cardiac nurse practitioner. To advance your career, you may need to return to school to receive an advanced degree. Keep in mind that Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs typically require students to have earned a BSN.

Regardless of where your career takes you, the outlook for registered nursing is strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, national registered nursing employment is projected to grow by 6% between 2023 and 2033 and by 7% in Ohio between 2020 and 2030.

Registered nurses also have high earning potential. In May 2023, registered nurses’ national median annual wage was $86,070.

Take the First Steps with Xavier University

Whether you become a cardiac nurse or pursue a different nursing specialty, Xavier’s ABSN program can help set you on the path.

Our hybrid curriculum combines the flexibility of online coursework with vital in-person experiences, preparing students to become highly competent registered nurses. Additionally, students complete clinicals in various nursing specialties, allowing them to gain experience, explore their passions and build their professional network.

Our ABSN students are supported throughout their education journey, from admissions to graduation. Our team of admission advisers is dedicated to helping applicants navigate the admissions process, from completing prerequisites to creating a competitive application.

Once enrolled, our talented faculty and academic success coaches are committed to fostering student success through a dynamic learning environment.

Contact our admissions advisers today to learn how the ABSN program can kickstart your nursing career.