How to Become a Cath Lab Nurse
Cardiology wouldn’t be the same without a cath lab nurse to support the medical team during complex procedures requiring heart catheterization. If you’re curious about this rewarding specialty, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we describe typical responsibilities during a day in the life of a cath lab nurse, how to become one, salary information, and more.
What Is a Cath Lab Nurse and What Do They Do?
Cath labs are spaces in which healthcare workers use catheters to view different parts of the heart and the vessels to which it’s connected for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. They check how well blood is flowing through the heart by threading a thin tube called a catheter through an artery or vein.
Cath lab nurses assist the medical teams for these procedures. But what does a cath lab nurse do, exactly? Typical responsibilities include:
- Admissions assessments
- Discharge teaching with patients and families
- Ensure consent paperwork is completed
- Pre and post-catheterization patient examinations
- Monitor and document patient vital signs
- Administer medications
- Monitor for signs and symptoms of infections or side effects of the procedure
- Monitor patient sedation levels during and after the procedure
- Prepare patients for procedures
- Update patient charting and documentation on the procedure
To get a sense of what else you might do in this role, check out our sample cath lab nurse resume.
Where Do Cath Lab Nurses Work?
These nurses can work in a variety of settings including:
- Hospitals
- Cardiac clinics
- Cardiologist offices
What Are the Steps to Becoming a Cath Lab Nurse?
1. Earn Your BSN
Nursing school will give you general nursing education from which you can build upon to pursue a variety of career paths. Plus, it prepares you for the NCLEX.
2. Pass the NCLEX
Passing this exam transitions you from nursing student to a full-fledged registered nurse. You’ll be tested on subjects you’ve learned during school to ensure you have the foundational knowledge required for working as a nurse.
3. Gain Experience
This isn’t a job for newbies. Cath labs require nurses who are comfortable with their skills in a variety of situations. This role requires at least one year of experience, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU), cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU), or trauma unit.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Cath Lab Nurse?
The amount of time it takes to start this career varies based on your unique nursing journey. If you choose a traditional program, expect at least four years of schooling. Afterwards, you’ll likely need to get experience at an inpatient medical hospital, including critical care experience. Including nursing school, becoming a cath lab nurse may take at least six years.
Cath Lab Certification
If you want to deepen your knowledge of this specialty and stand out during job searches, consider these certifications commonly obtained by cath lab nurses and cardiac nurses.
- Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC): The exam required to obtain this certification tests nurses on the cardiac-vascular specialty. Be prepared to send proof of your nursing registration and have your transcripts sent electronically from your nursing school to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN): This certification is for nurses who work with critically ill patients. You must prove you have an unencumbered license and have met practice hour requirements before applying.
- Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS): This is a specialized credential that’s awarded to members of the cardiac care team who undergo advanced training in performing cath lab procedures.
Is Cath Lab Nursing Stressful?
Cath lab nursing can be stressful. Working directly with a patient’s heart is a big deal. The importance of what you’re doing can be nerve wracking in itself, and on top of that, things don’t always go as planned. Thankfully, you can ease that stress. Clear communication amongst the team, confidence in your capabilities, and prioritizing your mental health can go a long way.
What Are Some Cath Lab Nurse Qualities to Develop?
As with any other nursing specialty, working in a cath lab requires you to emphasize certain skills. If you’re interested in this path, it would be wise to develop the traits listed below.
Personable
You’ll be meeting new people nearly every day, all of whom are getting an invasive procedure involving a vital organ. You must be able to put people at ease by instilling trust and confidence in yourself and your team members.
Calm Under Pressure
As we mentioned above, this specialty can grow stressful at times. You must successfully manage your emotions to ensure you do your job properly. When an obstacle arises, you and your team members must make quick and accurate decisions for which you must remain clear headed.
Adaptable
No two patients are exactly the same, and during a procedure, the situation could change at any moment. Each patient will possess unique traits to which you’ll have to adapt, and many procedures will cause you and your team to adjust the course of action. The easier it is for you to embrace change, the more fluid your work will be.
Clear Communicator
A successful procedure isn’t because of a single person, but collaboration amongst the whole team — and that successful teamwork is dependent on clear communication. Active listening along with direct and respectful communication are necessary.
Cath Lab Nurse Salary
How much do cath lab nurses make? A cath lab nurse’s salary in the U.S. ranges from $79,800 and $97,400 per year. The average salary is around $88,200 annually, but this amount can vary depending on the specific nurse’s past experience, location, and certifications.
Find Your Next Cath Lab Nurse Opportunity
You have a better idea of whether this exciting career choice is for you, but now what? Find personalized nursing job opportunities that meet your wants and needs through IntelyCare today.