CVICU Nurse Jobs Overview
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, which is a good motivator to work in a hospital’s cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU). Nurse jobs are plentiful in these settings. Depending on the facility, the CVICU can go by a couple of names, such as CICU (cardiac ICU) and CTICU (cardiothoracic ICU). In these units, you’ll work with a multidisciplinary team to care for patients with critical cardiac, vascular, thoracic, and surgical issues.
Explore the latest full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, or per diem CVICU jobs for nursing professionals. Here are some of the more in-demand positions:
You can also check out related openings for med-surg nursing jobs and ICU nurse jobs.
Education and Certifications for Cardiac ICU Nurse Jobs
To become a CVICU nurse, you must earn either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Then you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for your RN license.
Employers will likely require that you are certified in basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS). Additional credentials that can be very valuable for nurses pursuing cardiac ICU jobs include:
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
- Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC)
- Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC)
- Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)
Nurse applicants of all levels may need to have prior acute care experience for certain cardiac ICU nurse jobs. Check out our sample ICU nurse job description template to see what might be expected of candidates.
Nursing Resume and Cover Letter for CVICU Jobs
Take the time to go over your ICU nurse resume and update it with your latest experience and skills. You can be at an advantage if you customize it to each job that you plan on pursuing. For instance, if an employer is looking for an applicant with experience using mechanical assist devices, specifically IABP pumps, Impella pumps, CRRT, and LVADs, be sure to name those devices in your resume.
In your cover letter, write about why your skills and dedication make you a great match for that particular hospital, and include your personal values that overlap with the hospital’s mission statement.
Interviewing for ICU Nursing Jobs
A job interview is your chance to show off your critical thinking skills, as well as your character — but it can also be stressful if you walk in there cold. Take some of the weight off your shoulders by reviewing ICU nurse interview questions and preparing thoughtful answers.
CVICU Nurse Salary
The average annual salary for a CVICU nurse is around $124,500. Your geographic location, level of nursing, years of experience, and employer can make a difference in what you earn in ICU jobs as a nurse. To get a clearer understanding of CVICU nurse jobs’ salary averages in your area, explore the current openings for your license type.
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