Cardiovascular Nursing
Cardiovascular nursing is one specialized area of nursing that treats patients with heart problems or patients that are undergoing invasive or non invasive diagnostic tests and treatment for heart problems. This type of nursing is a very intense and often stressful type of nursing. It is, however, one of the most varied.
The cardiovascular nurse receives special training, usually on the job, after completing at least a basic registered nurse education. Hospitals, rehab centers, cardiologists, and cardiothoracic surgeons all employ cardiovascular nurses. In the hospital setting, this type of nurse will treat patients that are acutely ill with heart attacks, congestive heart failure, or arrhythmias that could prove fatal. They might care for patients in a heart catherization lab, where patients undergo invasive procedures to determine the extent of coronary artery disease. They might assist the cardiologist with performing stress tests. They might even work on a floor that helps to rehabilitate patients as they are healing after having a heart problem or heart surgery. Cardiovascular nurses can even do home visits to help them adjust to home after a hospitalization. Definitely one of the best things about a cardiovascular nurse is the varied settings in which he or she can work; the cardiovascular nurse is never bored.
Cardiovascular disease is consistently one of the top killers of people throughout the world. Many patients do not realize the effects of a high fat diet, untreated high cholesterol, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle have on their heart. They often continue practicing unhealthy habits until they experience a health problem. One of the most important jobs of the cardiovascular nurse is recognizing and educating a patient about their high risk behaviors. Simple behavior alterations can mean the difference between life and death with many people. It is also important for the nurse to establish a good rapport with the patients' family members. Family members, such as children and spouses, can often encourage simple behavior changes in their loved ones.
Patient education is not the only important job of the cardiovascular nurse. They are often highly skilled in the technical aspect of treating cardiovascular disease. It is important for cardiovascular nurses to understand basic and advanced life support. They also need to have an excellent understanding of the anatomy of the heart and cardiovascular system, not to mention pharmacology. They need to be quick thinking in emergency situations and anticipate the needs of the doctor. Often, cardiovascular nurses need to act in a moment's notice and treat a patient before a physician even arrives. He or she must know without hesitation what to do in the event of an emergency.
Most nurses deal with diseases of the heart at some point in their career, but cardiovascular nurses treat patients with heart problems daily. Continuing education is of course necessary in order for the nurse to stay current with changing medical trends in the diagnosis and management of heart disease. Overall, however, the career of the cardiovascular nurse is both challenging and rewarding to the professional nurse.
Published: 2009-11-03
