Cardiac Rehab Nursing

carachel2 · Nov 25, 2008

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.

morganrt1416 · Sep 8, 2010

Would someone with an exercise science degree as well as a BSN have a better chance of getting hire? I am finishing my degree in exercise science and am thinking about going back and get my BSN in order to pursue a career in this field, Is it possible to go directly in cardiac rehab nursing or do I have to work on the floor for awhile first. I really have no interested in working the floor...I am specifically interest in cardiac rehab nursing.

carachel2 · Sep 9, 2010

You should see my post on the thread "Cardiac Rehab Nursing" below. A lot of programs would probably be willing to hire you without any floor nursing experience, but honestly I think it is a very unwise move in regards to patient safety and your own personal license. Make no mistake, patients in cardiac rehab are *sick/unstable* even though they are technically outpatients and recovered from their MI/Stent/CABG. You will be dealing with dysrhytmias, angina, acute MI, acute CHF, etc.etc. just as you would on the floor only without the convenience of an IV line and an entire unit to assist in a crisis. You need to have experience assessing these events and critically thinking through what you need to do in order to care for them.

For what it's worth, I had a job offer to stat in CR directly after nursing school. I was advised not to be a dear friend/cardiac rehab program manager and I am forever thankful that I did not do this. My 2 years on a CCU groomed to learn how to assess for early signs of CHF, how to intervene with angina, potentially fatal dysrhythmias, etc. All of that came into place on my very FIRST day two years later as a cardiac rehab nurse. I had just turned to ask the nurse I was training under what the protocol was for angina in an outpatient setting ( I mean, I knew what to do but needed to know the protocol they had established and followed) and not 2 minutes later we had a patient drop to the floor in full cardiac arrest. I was fresh from CCU and so managing the code was just another day at work for me. I really cannot imagine not having that experience AND ACLS training that was put to use those years.

Get the floor experience and put in some floor time. You don't even need to do two years...just get at least 6 months to 1 year. PLUS, lots of cardiac rehab programs have been through tough times and it hasn't been unusual for layoffs to happen. You need to have the option and flexibility of being able to pull in extra hours and $$ by working on the unit.

And one final point..working on a CCU or tele floor will help you develop an invaluable rapport with your local cardiologist. You will no doubt have day to day contact with them on the unit. When you work in cardiac rehab you will be calling them somewhat regularly and if they know and trust you and your assessment skills they will be MUCH more helpful in taking care of problems with patients in a prompt way. Your program will also benefit from this rapport and it will help with your program marketing in obtaining referrals.