Pediatric Cardiology-is there such a thing for nurses?

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 31, 2005

Sure you can focus on peds cardiology ... But you will probably need to work for either a children's hospital or a university medical center with a large pediatric division. Most hospitals do not care for patients needing the pediatric sub-specialties -- even if they offer general peds care. They send those patients to the pediatric specialty hospitals.

I work for a children's hospital that sees a fair number of peds cardiology patients. There is not a floor with ONLY them on it, but the peds cardiology service occupies about 25% of one of our largest med/surg floors. They also represent a significant % of our PICU population ... and of course there is the cath lab, EKG service, and peds cardiology outpatient clinic.

llg

humglum, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2005

I would love to work pedi cardiology. Would do that in a millisecond if the opportunity were available to me. I'll stay on my regular pedi floor until something opens up in PICU (why don't those nurses ever leave? :angryfire).

Jolie, BSN · Mar 31, 2005

I am currently a pre-nursing student and I am curious about getting in cardiology someday because my Dad had a pacemaker put in on my 16th birthday (I'm 20 now) and it really shook me because I love my Dad and it will be the worst day of my life when he or my fiance dies (=-( It was an emergency surgery because if he had had another arrythmeia (I think that is what it was-irregular, fast hearbeat?) he probably would have died. I have also been interesting in working with children or infants for a long time now, is there such a thing as someday doing just pediatric cardiology? I know I would probably need a masters or something, but I've always wanted my masters someday.
What made you go into cardiology nursing?
-Thanks for the info and advice beforehand,
Megan
Kansas
I am a NICU nurse, and have had the opportunity to care for infants born with heart defects. It is a fascinating area of nursing, and exists practically in your own backyard. Children's Mercy Hospital in KC is home to a very active pediatric cardiology practice. Check it out!
Go Jayhawks!

Good luck!