Cardiac Rehab Education for Nurses

Nursing positions are in great demand all over the country. Cardiac rehabilitation nursing is one of the specialized areas in demand due to the rising rate of heart disease. Cardiac nurses are trained and certified to educate and treat patients with heart problems. The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) offers certification testing for qualified nurses who have already earned their RN or BSN.

Background

• According to the American Heart Association, heart disease has increased over the past 20 years and continues to be a leading cause of death. Cardiac rehabilitation education leads to advanced training in the field of cardiovascular medicine for experienced nurses. Typical cardiac rehab nurses are licensed RNs or BSNs who have two to three years experience in the nursing field. Education leading to a certification in cardiac rehabilitation covers the physiology of the heart, as well as exercise and stress management.

Courses

• The AACVPR offers certification, recertification and resource materials for nurses. Certification is voluntary, but comes with a high level of recognition in the field. Each state medical board has information about specific tests and trainings that are offered in that particular state. Exercise science college courses, and specialized trainings are available for nurses to educate themselves and increase their knowledge in the field of cardiac rehabilitation. Some large hospitals may have internal cardiac rehab training for nurses on their staff.

Job Duties

• A cardiac rehab nurse is charged with assisting patients with heart problems. The nurse should be in prime physical condition due to the demands of the job. As a cardiac rehab nurse, you will counsel, assist, educate and care for cardiac patients. You may work with patients to determine the type of exercise programs that may work for them in recovering from heart-related illness. You may also work with dietitians to create special diets for patients.

Salary

• According to Salary.com's Salary Wizard, the average national salary for a cardiac rehab nurse is between $62,000 and $88,000 depending on experience and location.

Career Outlook

• When an RN or BSN earns her stripes as a cardiac rehab nurse, she may work in a cardiac hospital unit, a fitness center, a college or a physical therapy office. According to AACVPR, the goal of cardiac rehab is to strengthen, educate, prevent, rehabilitate and research.