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
Next Up: Cardiac Travel Nursing Salary›