What is a Cardiac Nurse?

Nurses are the heart of any healthcare facility -- cardiac nurses take that adage a step further by caring for the hearts of their patients. Cardiac nurses provide highly specialized care to patients of all ages who may suffer from medical heart conditions, including heart defects, coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure. They provide ongoing care and communication to prevent or manage heart conditions, perform health assessments, and provide pre-procedure and post-operative care to those recovering from bypass surgery, transplants or other heart surgeries.

Life of a Cardiac Nurse

What does a cardiac nurse do? Cardiology nurses may have a wide range of duties depending on their clinical setting. Here are a few of their possible daily job responsibilities:

• Perform health assessments
• Perform stress test evaluations
• Educate patients on dietary measures, medications, and disease management
• Monitor heart devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators
• Monitor heart activity and electrocardiograms
• Provide post-op care following a heart surgery

If you love cool technology, cardiac nursing may be right for you! Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. So, technological and pharmaceutical innovations are an exciting aspect of this specialty.

Cardiac nurses have opportunities to specialize in wide a variety of clinical settings, including:

• Invasive or noninvasive cardiology units
• Cardiovascular interventional units
• Cardiothoracic surgical units
• Long-term care
• Cath labs
• Telemetry
• Electrophysiology Labs

Why Travel as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse

Did you know that a cardiac travel nurse can earn even more pay than a staff nurse? 

That is not the sole benefit to travel nursing though – far from it. In addition to exploring the country, meeting new people, and building your skills and resume, you’ll receive these amazing day one benefits:

• Full medical, dental and vision benefits. 
• Employer matched 401(k) with flex spending options
• Life insurance
• Accident and short-term disability coverage
• Free housing or reimbursement for housing