Registered nurses who work in the catheterization lab are known as cath lab nurses, and they are essential caregivers in cardiovascular departments across the country. These high-tech areas are where patients receive access to life-saving procedures that help diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions and heart disease.
As a registered nurse traveler, you can take your cardiac cath lab knowledge and skills on the road and gain control over your career. Plus, you get to make a significant impact, provide essential care in areas where it's needed the most, and foster a sense of purpose and fulfillment within yourself.
Cardiac cath lab nurses specialize in assisting physicians with cardiac procedures such as cardiac catheterizations, angiography, angioplasties, vascular stenting, atherectomies, thrombectomies, valvuloplasties, and balloon pumps.
A cath lab nurse may scrub and assist the physician with the procedure, but in most cases, they monitor patients, circulate in the lab administering drugs for moderate sedation, and obtain additional supplies. Cardiac cath lab nurses may also work with other professionals like interventional radiology nurses and techs, so effective communication skills are highly valued in these positions.
Prepare patients for cardiac procedures
Administer medications
Monitor patient vital signs
Assist doctors during invasive cardiovascular procedures
With opportunities for travelers all over the country, we’ve selected areas with the most popular medical traveling jobs to help you find your best fit.
Travel nurses are the backbone of medical traveling. Pay transparency means you can see what you'll actually get paid before you even apply.
Level-up, cath lab nurse. Get your state licenses and travel nurse requirements reimbursed.
Cath lab travel nurses qualify for a weekly, tax-free per diem that can help you cover the costs of moving, like your transportation, meals, and other expenses.
See new spaces. See new faces. Grow and learn in your nursing career as you grow and learn in various cities all over the country.
Being a travel nurse is a great way to grow your experience and learn on the job. What if your dream cath lab travel nursing assignment is asking for certifications you don’t have? Don’t sweat. You’ll get training in nursing and financial assistance for the cost of licensing and certifications!
Keeping up with the world of licensing and certification can be intimidating. Degrees and certifications depend on your modality and specialty but getting compliant for your home state and others you want to travel to is easier as a medical professional. Compliance experts work with your recruiter and the facility to ensure that you have all the relevant credentials required for any and all cardiac cath lab travel nursing jobs.
Some of your compliance requirements are the same across the board, but there are others that will depend on your specialty in nursing.
The three parts of compliance
Occupational health records: Required immunizations and health examinations
Documentation: Tax forms, insurance paperwork, and licenses
Testing: Certifications, online training, and workplace safety exams
With a passion for cardiac care, dedication to patient wellness, and the right qualifications, anyone can thrive as a cath lab nurse. A successful cath lab RN possesses a unique set of skills and personal attributes that enable them to excel in their role. Attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure are essential skills to have, given the high-stakes nature of cardiac procedures. Cath lab nurses should also show commitment to lifelong learning, in order to stay updated with the latest medical advancements in cardiovascular care.
The average salary for cath lab nurse jobs can vary significantly based on a number of factors including geographic location, years of experience, and the type of healthcare facility. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for a registered nurse, in general, was $75,330. However, cath lab RNs work in a specialized setting so they may earn more.
To become a cath lab registered nurse, you don't necessarily need to have a specialized degree beyond a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN), although further certifications can certainly enhance your qualifications. Acquiring a Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) certification or becoming a Certified Registered Nurse in Cardiac Catheterization (CRNCC) can increase your marketability in the field.
An experienced cath lab RN who takes high demand travel nursing jobs will gain exposure to different regional nursing procedures and patient populations, have the opportunity to explore new specialties, and gain experience learning a new clinical environment quickly.
