There are many nursing career opportunities within the healthcare field. Historically, the nursing profession is one of the least prone to the economic recession. Registered nurses are one of the most in-demand careers within this field, particularly nurses with master’s degrees and specializations. One such specialization is as a Cardiac Catheter (Cath) Lab (CCL) nurse.
A CCL nurse works to help diagnose heart disease. As the name implies, they are most often based in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab of hospitals, but can also work at Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and Cardiac Care Units (CCUs). These are the essential steps in becoming a cardiac cath lab nurse.
- Get the required undergraduate education. If you want to be a cardiac nurse specialist, it is essential that you earn a nursing degree from an accredited nursing school or university. This path to become a cardiac cath lab nurse could be taken via two different routes: through an intensive two-year associate’s degree training from a vocational school or community college, or through a four-year bachelor’s degree program at a university. During this time, you will receive training on such topics as anatomy, pharmacology, physiology, genetics, biochemistry and nutrition. You will also receive training in diagnostic techniques such as lab diagnosis and physical examinations and other basic nursing techniques.
- Become certified. A nursing school graduate must pass a licensing examination. Different states have different requirements to take the NCLEX-RN (registered nursing license exam); check out a directory at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website for specific information on your state. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing administers the NCLEX-PN (the examination for practical nurses) as well as the Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE). The process includes applying for licensure, paying the fee for the NPLEX-RN, receiving notice of eligibility for taking the exam, making an appointment and finally taking the exam.
- Work as a nurse at a hospital. Hands-on training in the nursing profession is essential to become an effective nurse. Many newly graduated registered nurses are assigned to Critical Care Units and are often given night shifts. There will be an experienced nursing supervisor on every shift. Many nursing staffs also have mentors available—experienced nurses who will help you get the most out of the nursing profession.
- Familiarize yourself with the responsibilities of a cardiac cath lab nurse. CCL nurses are responsible for monitoring a patient’s vital signs, helping to determine and execute a needs assessment, administer intravenous (IV) therapy, and maintain a patient’s records and charts. Because of the nature of the hospital setting to which they are assigned, cardiac cath lab nurses maintain an alert and professional attitude, are able to make potentially life-saving and critical decisions that may be based on little information, and think on their feet. Because of their training, they also have highly specialized knowledge about the heart, such as its anatomy, physiology, diseases and treatments.
- Get work experience. To become a cardiac cath lab nurse, you will need to obtain additional training and certification as a Cardiac Vascular Nurse. There are eligibility criteria you will need to fulfill:
- Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States. You may also have the legally recognized equivalent from another country.
- Have at least two years of experience as an RN.
- Have at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in cardiovascular nursing within the last three years.
- Have 30 hours of continuing education (CE) in cardiac vascular nursing within the last three years.
- Take a certification test. Once eligibility is determined, you can take an online certification test with a 90-day window for testing. The certification must be renewed every five years.
In 2011, the median salary for a CCL nurse was $83,000. The salary trend is consistently upward for the nursing specialties. If you are interested in becoming a cardiac cath lab nurse, remember that it comes with a lot of responsibility—and rewards! It is very important that you start out your career with an interest in health care, medicine and cardiac nursing—that way you will be able to enjoy and grow in your chosen career.