The future is bright for RN Registered Nurses as the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that nursing is one of the top 10 occupations with the largest job growth. CVICU RNs are among the most sought-after nursing professionals working today. There is room for continuous growth and expansion of your career with Registered Nurse travel assignments and jobs available in every state. Where would you like to visit? Work in a great environment and be in a place you can go enjoy your free time. What better way to see more of the world while advancing your career and experience at the same time?

Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurses work involves responsibility for taking care of patients after open-heart surgery. CVICU Nurses also may be responsible for heart transplant patients. RN CVICU Nursing is exciting and fast paced. Practice in these units involves high tech support for the nurses. Patients in the care of CVICU Nurses often need ventilator support, intra-aortic balloon pump therapy, hemodynamic monitoring and other high tech treatments. The CVICU RN provides critical care to patients with potentially life-threatening heart conditions. They must analyze charts, observe changes in the patient, change bandages, and be able to communicate effectively with doctors, other health care professionals, the patients and the family members. The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit nurses are important members of emergency medical care teams as well. Giving care under stressful circumstances requires patience. Must be able to use their nursing skills to help patients recover from surgery, prevent disease and infection and stabilize critically injured patients.

Responsibilities and Duties

The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Nurse is responsible for the safety and health of patients they are caring for. The RN may run IVs, observe and record vital signs and operate heart monitors. The CVICU RN must always be on their toes as they can sometimes be called on in emergency situations to provide CPR and/or operate defibrillators to restart a patients heart. It is imperative that the RN work closely with the doctors and heart specialists to control blood pressure of the patient and prevent heart failure. Manage time and resources in a cost effective manner. Continue professional development and help others to do the same. Use acquired knowledge, research, theory and experience to respond to clinical changes. RN CVICU must be flexible, a critical thinker with excellent communication skills, and be committed to the team and the desired patient outcome. It is important for the RN CVICU nurse to comply with regulations, rules and procedures in order to maintain a safe and clean environment. Adhere strictly to infection control protocols to protect patients and fellow employees.

Work Conditions

Working conditions in this field may be intense as patients require constant monitoring, medication and medical intervention in order to survive. Shifts will be day and night, weekends and holidays. There is a lot of bending, lifting and squatting involved as well.

Education Requirements

CVICU RN, like all Registered Nurses, must first finish a two-year associate’s degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing before beginning their careers. Some settings may require certification in cardiac care before employment as well. There is a Nursing Certificate from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for this field.