Samantha Wahlbom

Allied Healthcare

Mrs. Grummer

29th April 2024

Capstone Research Paper: Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse

Since I was a little girl, I've always had an interest in human anatomy and helping people. I love

human anatomy and dissecting how the human body functions and identifying the issue within. I

want to help make people’s bad situations as positive and effective as possible. I love learning,

facing challenges, problem solving and teamwork. I chose the healthcare pathway at Creekview

to follow in my sisters' footsteps. I was not expecting to want to follow a career in healthcare but

that soon became my plan. Over time, I developed an appreciation for healthcare workers and a

realization that I could actually be one. My goal then became to stick with the pathway and gain

a basic understanding of human anatomy, healthcare careers, employability, and many other

facets. Once I began the third year of the pathway I sought to gain as much experience as

possible and take on any opportunities given to me. An opportunity given to me was an

internship at Northside Hospital. During my time at the hospital, I got to observe in the Cardiac

Cath Lab. There, I found a love for nursing and the procedures performed.

Cardiac Cath Lab nurses specialize in assisting with catheterization procedures which are

done to diagnose and treat heart disease. These nurses play a vital role in the preparation,

monitoring, and follow-up of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, ensuring the safety and

effectiveness of the procedure. These nurses may also be called Cath Lab Nurses, Cardiac

Catheterization Laboratory Nurse, or Registered Cardiac Catheter Lab Nurse. A Cath Lab Nurse’

common responsibilities and tasks include, maintaining a sterile environment, manage patient's
records, assisting cardiologist with instruments and equipment, preparing patients for

catheterization procedures, monitoring patients' vital signs during the procedure, providing post-

procedure care, administering medications, and educating patients and families on post-

procedure care and lifestyle changes. A Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse’ salary can range from $60,000

to over $100,00. The variation depends on several factors including level of experience,

educational background, and the type of facility they are working for. The job outlook is said to

be incredibly promising at a 10% growth rate.

The first step is becoming a registered nurse by earning either your Associate Degree in

Nursing, or your Bachelor of Science of Nursing through an accredited nursing program. It's

suggested that you next gain experience at a job in a trauma facility or cardiac hospital. After

gaining experience and building relationships with cardiac intensivists, you should apply for

your job as a Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse. College majors to take that are related to this job would be

Nursing Science, or Biomedical Sciences. To become a Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse I must get a

Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an Associate Degree in Nursing. In my area of North Georgia,

I can get either of those at Kennesaw State, Emory, Mercer University, Herzing University and

many more. After becoming a nurse, I must obtain a Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification

credential. I can do that through Herzing University, American Nurse Credentialing Center,

Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association, and several others.

My career goals align with this being a Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse because I will be doing

the work that I love, it will be rewarding, and I will be making a very good salary. I learned of

this career while interning at Northside Hospital of Cherokee. I never knew of it before that but

afterward I realized it’s what I want to do. After doing my research on this career, it has only

encouraged me to follow my goal and made it seem more possible.

 In conclusion, being a Cardiac Cath Lab nurse takes several years of schooling and a

specific certificate. There are lots of schools and programs in my area that will enable me to

being a Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse. The healthcare pathway at Creekview has fueled my inspiration

and offered me opportunities and advantages to reach my goal.

“Cardiac Catheter Lab Nurse - Career, Duties, and Education.” Nursing Schools, 17 Feb. 2024,
www.nursingschools.com/careers/cardiac-catheter-lab-nurse.

Nursing, Health Carousel Travel. “High Demand for Cath Lab Travel Nurses: Outlook and
Salary.” High Demand for Cath Lab Travel Nurses: Outlook and Salary, Health Carousel,
LLC, 9 Oct. 2023, www.hctravelnursing.com/blog/cath-lab-travel-nurse-job-outlook-and-
salary#:~:text=The%20cath%20lab%20travel%20nurse%20job%20outlook%20is,for
%20skilled%2C%20qualified%20cath%20lab%20travel%20nurses%20grows.

Nursing, Health Carousel Travel. “High Demand for Cath Lab Travel Nurses: Outlook and
Salary.” High Demand for Cath Lab Travel Nurses: Outlook and Salary, Health Carousel,
LLC, 9 Oct. 2023, www.hctravelnursing.com/blog/cath-lab-travel-nurse-job-outlook-and-
salary#:~:text=The%20cath%20lab%20travel%20nurse%20job%20outlook%20is,for
%20skilled%2C%20qualified%20cath%20lab%20travel%20nurses%20grows.

“CARDIAC SURGEON EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS.” Zippia, 5 Apr. 2024,

www.zippia.com/cardiac-surgeon-jobs/education/.

McCoy, Abby. “Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurse Career Guide.” NursingEducation, 20

Mar. 2024, nursingeducation.org/careers/cardiac-catheterization-laboratory-nurse/
#:~:text=The%20path%20to%20becoming%20a%20cardiac%20catheterization
%20laboratory,%28BSN%29%20or%20an%20Associate%20Degree%20in%20Nursing
%20%28ADN%29.