Cardiac/Cardiovascular Intensive Care

Description

Coronary critical care concentrates on patients with coronary heart disease. Nurses in this specialty work with patients who have undergone coronary bypass, valve replacement, heart catheterization, angioplasty or stent procedures, or patients recovering from a heart attack or myocardial infarction.

Responsibilities

Cardiac critical care nurses teach patients and their families about appropriate lifestyles to manage disease, including monitoring physical exertion to educate patients on how much effort is appropriate within a given level of injury. Most coronary critical care nurses find work in hospitals, medical offices and fitness centers.

Education and Qualification

Cardiac critical care requires strong people and educational skills, as well as knowledge of cardiac assessment techniques and technologies. Staff nurses, clinical nurse specialists, managers, coordinators, supervisors, directors, executives, educators and researchers all may have cardiac critical care responsibilities. Emergency management and the ability to work under pressure are a must.

Education and Qualification

The minimum requirement for a cardiac critical care nurse is certification as a registered nurse (RN), with an associates, bachelors or advanced degree in nursing preferred. Many nurses opt to extend their education with advanced certification, both to improve their skills in the specific needs of coronary critical care and to enhance their overall job opportunities.

Associations and Publications