Cardiac Rehab Nursing

I think what you have done is enough, but going through the ACSM to get your exercise physiology certification (I don't know exactly what they call it these days) would definitely be a bonus. In our cardiac rehab unit, the best way to get your foot in the door is to meet with the manager, spend a day observing and then ask if there are any PRN spots open. All of our nurses have transitioned to full-time this way. As you said, cardiac rehab spots don't open up much (because the job is so amazing and once people start they don't like to go back !) but if a position does open up, we give it to our PRN employees who are 70% trained already.

I've worked cardiac rehab for 14 years both as an exercise physiologist and then as an RN/Exercise phys after I completed my nursing degree. Having exercise phys. experience is great, but we've never required that and we are happy having RNs who have extensive cardiac care experience. You should also look into your state or regional AACVPR organization and start attending meetings. Those meetings are a GREAT way to network with cardiac rehab nurse managers and I can tell you for sure that a LOT of jobs go completely unadvertised because the managers prefer to fill them this way.

The pay is a little lower in most places because there is no shift diff, etc and we have had one RN go back to CCU because of this. The rest just accept it as part of the deal for a better pace and working environment.

Let me know if you have more questions...more than happy to help.