Exercise Physiology Nurses

carachel2 · Dec 26, 2013

Hey there! Sorry for the slow reply, I'm an NP now and when I do check the boards those are the ones I check more often.

I have a degree in Exercise Phys, worked in cardiac rehab in that role for a year or so and then got my BSN. I was tempted to try and go straight to cr again once I graduated, but everyone said a few years of CCU would be best and it was GREAT experience because let me tell you...the rhythms and acute CHF I saw sometimes in cr were every bit as critical as those seen in CCU!

After two years in CCU I returned to cr and worked for almost 10 years in that role before returning to grad school. Let me know if you have questions..it was a great job!

twinner05 · Dec 26, 2013

I work as an EKG tech in a cardiac step down and CCU unit right now monitoring rythms / interpreting ongoing rythms. and communicating with cardiologosts, rn and rt's. I'm about a year away from getting my RN. Do you think working in cardiac rehab could be possible as a new grad ?with my experience and dual degrees? Thank you !!

kardav · Dec 27, 2013

Great question. I have been wondering the same too because I as well have a BS in exercise science and will have my bsn next year. I definitely want to combine the two. What additional certifications would be good to have as well?

carachel2 · Dec 27, 2013

Twinner...I would HIGHLY encourage you to work as an RN in CCU, tele or cath lab for at least a year before going straight to cardiac rehab. I had all the same qualifications as you (EKG/tele tech, exercise phys degree and even a year or so of experience in cardiac rehab as an exercise physiologist). Trust me, it's not the same. The rhythms, CHF and blood pressure issues you see in cardiac rehab are MUCH scarier than the ones you will see in CCU and you NEED the CCU experience so you will know excactly what and how and when to do your thing in cardiac rehab. Recognizing the rhythms as an EKG tech is SO *not* the same as *owning* them as an RN and implementing all of the next interventions.

Having good critical care experience on patients who are on a monitor with a line established will be most helpful for you when you are taking care of basically the same patients in cr who have no line, just three leads on and then develop an issue. My *very* first day in cardiac rehab we had a full code! I've met several nursing managers who would not hire a fresh RN to work in cardiac rehab.

As far as certifications, there are several through PCNA and ACSM I believe. I moved on to being an NP before I thought about pursuing any certifications.