The cath lab is a medical space unlike any other. In it, nurses, technicians, and cardiologists perform variations on a single procedure that is both vital and delicate. This sort of work rewards patience, quick thinking, and a student mentality—especially when you’re first getting started!
In this particular field, you will be performing the same procedure—within a few degrees of separation—day after day. While this may seem boring or repetitive, working in the cath lab allows you to perfect certain skills within a well-structured environment, which has many benefits.
Generally, the span of potential situations you’ll face is much smaller than in other nursing fields. As a result, you’ll be able to focus on a few core aspects of your work and can become an extremely competent cath lab nurse in no time! With that said, there are still plenty of surprising and stressful situations, as is often the case when you're working on a patient’s heart.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this exciting field, you’ll need a few things before getting started. We’ll be covering all of that in this guide. Let’s get started!
Working as a Cath Lab Technician
To start, you do not need to be an RN to work in the cath lab. Typically, the fastest way to start working in this environment is through a cath lab technician role.
Technicians (who are sometimes also known as technologists) are responsible for assisting in the catheterization process, as well as administering fluids and medication throughout the procedure. They also play an important role in monitoring various pieces of equipment used throughout this procedure.
Technician roles are typically entry-level, though many employers do prefer some medical background. Hard requirements for a given position are up to each employer, and there are plenty of openings for technicians with little to no background or training.
However, the requirements for becoming a cath lab nurse are a bit stricter.
Requirements for Working as a Cath Lab Nurse
If you’re interested in working in the cath lab as a nurse, there are a few required certifications and experience metrics you’ll need before getting started.
An Active RN License
First and most importantly, you’ll need to obtain an RN license. Of course, there are several steps to doing this.
In short, you will need to graduate with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) and then pass a standardized nursing exam, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Upon passing the NCLEX, you’ll receive your RN nursing license.
ADN degrees typically take about two years to complete, while BSN programs take four years. ADN programs will get you into the field quicker, while BSNs can help get you set up for more professional development and career options down the line.
Some fields and specific career paths do require nurses to have a BSN. This is not necessarily the case for cath lab nursing, though some specific employers do require it. If you’re still pretty early in the process, check out our guide on finding the right nursing program for you.
All RNs, regardless of degree type, will need to pass the NCLEX before receiving a license. The test has between seventy-five and 145 questions—it gets longer depending on how many questions have been answered incorrectly—and tests nurses broadly on established nursing concepts and their decision-making in critical situations.
The RN certification is the only “hard” requirement for working in a cath lab. Several other certifications provide fundamental skills for the job, which many employers require as part of the job.
Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC)
Everything that happens within the cath lab relates to the patient’s heart. It’s not surprising, then, that many employers require their RNs to pass the Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC) test before beginning work.
According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the organization responsible for the CV-BC test, “[The CV-BC] is a competency-based examination that provides a valid and reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of registered nurses in the cardiac-vascular specialty after initial RN licensure.”
To qualify for this exam, nurses must meet several requirements.
All applicants must have an active RN license and at least two years of nursing experience; at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice over the past three years, specifically in the field of cardiac-vascular nursing; and at least thirty hours of continued education (CEU) credits, also in cardiovascular nursing and in the last three years.
Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certifications
While working in the cath lab, you never know when the need for life-saving chest compressions or the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) will arise.
BLS and ACLS classes are often recommended for nurses in environments like the cath lab or the operating room (OR), where the use of life support techniques is often needed at a moment’s notice.
The BLS course is a one-day class that equips nurses with the ability to recognize and categorize early signs of trouble and take action through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an AED.
The ACLS course is somewhat more intensive and is structured as a full classroom course (though nurses can also take a combination course that is both theoretical and hands-on). In this course, nurses expand on the basic concepts taught in the BLS course, learning more advanced techniques in the process.
To learn more about these two courses, check out the American Heart Association website.
Taking the Next Step in Your Career
There’s a lot to like about a prospective career in the cath lab. While a similar role in the operating room may be faster-paced and more varied, the cath lab allows nurses to gradually hone their craft while focusing on a series of relevant skills and techniques.
Whether you’re just getting started down your career path in nursing or you’re a veteran of multiple fields, a career in the cath lab can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.
With that said, there’s a lot of work that goes into getting your first role, as covered in this guide. With hard work and dedication, though, the perfect cath lab role can be yours!
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