What does a Cardiac-vascular Nurse do?
A Cardiac-Vascular Nurse is a specialized registered nurse (RN) who cares for patients with cardiovascular and vascular disorders. Those include conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. Cardiac-Vascular Nurses provide care in hospitals, clinics, and physician’s offices.
The main focus of a Cardiac-Vascular Nurse is to provide patient-centered care, which includes assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with acute and chronic cardiovascular and vascular conditions. They also provide education and support to patients and their families to help them manage their health conditions. Cardiac-Vascular Nurses work closely with physicians and other healthcare providers to develop and implement care plans for patients.
Cardiac-Vascular nurses are responsible for administering medications, performing diagnostic tests, and monitoring patients’ vital signs. They also provide wound care and assist with diagnostic procedures such as lab tests and x-rays. They also use technology such as EHRs to document patient data, lab results, and other important information.
Cardiac-Vascular Nurses can be advanced practice nurses such as Nurse Practitioners (NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS). These advanced practice nurses have additional education and training and have an expanded scope of practice compared to traditional registered nurses.
The main difference in the scope of practice between Cardiac-Vascular Nurses and Cardiac-Vascular Practitioner Nurses is that the latter can diagnose and treat patients independently, whereas the former work under the supervision of a physician.
Cardiac-Vascular Nurse Practitioners (CVNP) are advanced practice nurses who are qualified to diagnose and treat patients with cardiovascular and vascular disorders. They can order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications and develop treatment plans, conduct physical exams, and patient education. They can also provide patient follow-up and manage chronic conditions.
On the other hand, Cardiac-Vascular Nurses work under the direction of a physician or an advanced practice nurse and provide care to patients with cardiovascular and vascular disorders.
How to become a Cardiac-vascular Nurse
To become a Cardiac-Vascular Nurse in the US, you will need to follow these steps:
– Obtain a nursing degree. This can be a 2-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
– Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed registered nurse (RN).
– Gain experience working as an RN in a cardiac-vascular setting. This could include working in a cardiac care unit, cardiac catheterization lab, or cardiovascular surgery unit.
– Consider obtaining certification as a Cardiac-Vascular Nurse by taking and passing the certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
To become a Cardiac-Vascular Nurse Practitioner (CVNP) in the US, you will need to follow these steps after obtaining a nursing degree:
– Obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing with a specialization in cardiovascular nursing. This can typically be done through a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.
– Obtain a nursing license as a registered nurse (RN) and gain experience working as an RN in a cardiac-vascular setting.
– Pass a national certification exam offered by a certification body such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) to become a certified Cardiac-Vascular Nurse Practitioner (CVNP).
– Obtain state licensure as a nurse practitioner (NP) by meeting the requirements set forth by your state’s board of nursing.
– Continuously stay updated with the latest knowledge and skills by participating in continuing education classes and professional development opportunities.
Skills of a Cardiac-vascular Nurse
Cardiac-vascular nurses possess a unique set of skills that are essential for providing high-quality care to patients with cardiovascular conditions. Some of the key skills that a cardiac-vascular nurse should possess include:
– Advanced knowledge of cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, including knowledge of common cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertension.
– Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to quickly assess patients’ conditions and develop appropriate care plans.
– Excellent communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex medical information to patients and their families.
– Strong clinical skills, including the ability to perform basic cardiac procedures such as ECGs and administer medications.
– Understanding and ability to use advanced medical equipment like pacemakers, IVUS, and other diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.
– Strong teamwork and collaboration skills, as cardiac-vascular nurses often work closely with other healthcare professionals such as physicians, surgeons, and other nurses.
– Flexibility and adaptability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
– Strong leadership and mentorship skills for the nurses who are new to the field.
– A commitment to ongoing professional development and staying up-to-date with the latest advances in cardiovascular nursing practice.
Salary of a Cardiac-vascular Nurse
The median total pay for cardiac-vascular nurses in the United States is estimated to be $123,997 per year, with an average salary of $118,579 per year, according to Glassdoor. Additional pay, such as cash bonuses, commission, tips, and profit sharing, is estimated to be $5,418 per year.
On the other hand, cardiac-vascular nurse practitioners have higher salaries, with a median total pay of $147,660 per year, with an average salary of $138,165 per year, according to Glassdoor. Additional pay, such as cash bonuses, commission, tips, and profit sharing, is estimated to be $9,496 per year.
FAQs
Q: What is a cardiac vascular nurse certification?
A: A cardiac vascular nurse certification is a professional certification that recognizes a nurse’s specialized knowledge and skills in caring for patients with cardiovascular conditions. The certification is awarded by a professional nursing organization such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and is based on passing a certification exam. The certification demonstrates the nurse’s commitment to ongoing professional development and staying up to date with the latest advances in cardiovascular nursing practice.
Q: Why cardiac-vascular nursing?
A: Cardiac-vascular nursing is a challenging and rewarding field that offers a wide range of career opportunities. Cardiac-vascular nurses have the opportunity to work with patients who have complex cardiovascular conditions, and they play a critical role in managing patients’ care and recovery. They also have the opportunity to work with advanced medical technology, and to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care for patients. In addition to that, compared to other specialties, the salary of cardiac-vascular nurses is appealing.
Q: Where do cardiac-vascular nurses work?
A: Cardiac-vascular nurses typically work in hospital settings such as cardiac care units, cardiac catheterization labs, and cardiovascular surgery units. They may also work in outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies. Some cardiac-vascular nurses choose to work in research or education, while others may work in the industry or private practice.
References:
Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification. Retrieved from: https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/cardiac-vascular-nurse/
Cardiac-vascular nurses salaries. https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/cardiology-nurse-practitioner-salary-SRCH_KO0,29.htm