cvicu travel nurse jobs

CVICU Travel Nurse Career Guide

Table of Contents

Cvicu travel nurse career overview.

CVICU travel nurses, also known as cardiac ICU travel nurses, are known for their meticulous attention to detail and impressive ability to manage the care of patients who have complex cardiothoracic and vascular conditions. Within the hospital setting, the cardiovascular intensive care unit is synonymous with the highest-acuity patients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., with a person dying of cardiac disease every 34 seconds. Because of the prevalence and fatality of cardiac disease, the important role role of a CVICU travel nurse in the healthcare system cannot be understated.

CVICU Travel Nurse Jobs With Nomad Health

Cardiac ICU travel nurses can expect generous benefits with Nomad Health as they embark on their travel careers. We provide benefits such as medical, dental, vision, and malpractice insurance, along with a 401(k) with matching. To help offset additional costs, we also offer reimbursements for scrubs, extra licenses, and certifications. Cardiac ICU travel nurses with Nomad are also eligible for one-way travel stipends for up to $1000, and non-taxable stipends for food and housing.

If you’re on assignment with Nomad, a dedicated team of Navigators is available to assist you at all times, with matters both clinical and non-clinical. We don’t want our CVICU travel nurses to worry about the little things. We want them to confidently take on new challenges in their careers while enjoying exploring new cities and hospitals.

Popular Cardiac ICU Travel Nurse jobs

Cvicu travel nurse salary information.

According to Nomad, the average weekly salary of a traveling cardiac ICU nurse is $2,358 per week, with the potential to make up to $88 an hour. This adds up to $30,654 for a typical 13-week contract.* Nomad CVICU travel nurses regularly earn more compared to the average salary of a staff CVICU nurse, which according to ZipRecruiter, is $1,875 per week.

Cardiac ICU travel nurses can increase their pay through a number of avenues such as choosing specific locations that pay more on average, increasing overall years of nursing experience, and upskilling through training in modalities, like Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) or Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Nurses can also obtain certifications such as the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certificate, Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC), or Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC) with the American Association of Critical Care Nursing (AACN). Additionally, the Cardiovascular-RN (CV-RN) II certification is offered through the American Board of Cardiovascular Medical Accreditation (ABCM ), while while the Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CVNC) is offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) . There are also natural industry fluctuations in salary that nurses should expect throughout the year.

*Subject to change. Based on the average pay of Nomad Health CVICU travel nurse jobs as of April 27th, 2023.

Highest-Paying CVICU Travel Nurse Jobs

According to Nomad, the highest-paying CVICU travel nurse salary right now is $3,168 a week, while the highest-paying CVICU travel nurse jobs are currently located in Massachusetts, Washington, DC, and Illinois.* 

We understand that having high pay and a wide variety of job options to choose from is important to CVICU travel nurses. By using Nomad’s mobile app and website, you can customize your search options to filter jobs by criteria such as highest pay, ideal location, and length of contract. As a recruiter-free, healthcare talent agency, we’re able to consistently offer higher pay packages for our clinicians because we don’t have to pay recruiters.

*Subject to change. Based on the highest-paying Nomad Health CVICU travel nurse jobs as of April 27th, 2023.

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Cvicu travel nurse job description.

CVICU travel nurses work in hospitals caring for high-acuity patients with critical cardiothoracic conditions such as advanced heart failure, STEMI, cardiac tamponade, and heart transplants. These patients may or may not require surgical intervention such as open heart surgery for coronary bypass grafting (CABG) , and can also suffer from multiple comorbid conditions such as diabetes and renal failure. Cardiac ICU nurses, like Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) nurses, have advanced skills that allow them to provide care to patients with the highest acuity. Some of these interventions include: care for patients on ventilators, administration of sedatives and other critical intravenous drip medications, and responding to emergencies like cardiac dysrhythmias and cardiac arrest. 

Cardiac ICU travel nurses with Nomad typically have a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2 or 1:1, depending on the acuity of the patient. CVICU travel nurses need Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), along with a minimum of 12 months of full-time nursing experience. Some facilities may require the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). 

CVICU travel nurses share the same competencies as any strong ICU travel nurse but have a deeper knowledge of cardiac-specific interventions, medications, and hemodynamics. Take a further look at some of the nursing skills required to work in a cardiac ICU.

CVICU Travel Nurse Job Skills

Core nursing skills.

CVICU travel nurses perform basic nursing skills such as comprehensive head-to-toe assessments, bedside handoff, and employing safety measures for healthcare-acquired conditions such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), falls, pressure injuries, and delirium. They also perform phlebotomy and place IVs while managing devices such as indwelling urinary catheters, nasogastric tubes, orogastric tubes, and Dobhoff tubes. 

In particular, interpreting ECG rhythms, and their correlated electrolytes, and knowing the appropriate treatment is an essential skill for CVICU travel nurses. Patients may display a wide range of cardiac rhythms and nurses must be aware of what is an expected abnormality versus an alarming one that needs to be addressed quickly and reported to a provider. Due to their level of illness, patients may frequently go into cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, and uncontrolled atrial fibrillation. Patients with these dysrhythmias might also demonstrate signs of decreased cardiac output. Prompt patient assessment and intervention are essential. Some examples of decreased cardiac output might include, altered mental status (acute), hypotension, tachycardia, chest discomfort, and dyspnea. Traveling CVICU nurses should also be capable of performing a 12-lead ECG if a dedicated EKG tech does not staff the unit. 

CVICU travel nurses also need to understand how to analyze arterial blood gases and interpret lab values for labs such as the CMP, CBC, BNP, D-dimer, coagulation factors, troponin (elevated as early as three hours after myocardial infarction), and lactate (high levels are associated with an increased risk of death). For lab values such as lactate, CVICU nurses must be able to correlate the findings with signs of lactic acidosis build-up and organ failure when assessing their patients. Prioritizing and coordinating interventions to decrease high lactate levels is essential. 

Like most ICU travel nurses nurses, cardiac ICU travel nurses are vigilant in monitoring the hemodynamics of their patients as they may quickly decompensate. CVICU nurses are expected to anticipate the needs of their patients, respond quickly to changes, and have a firm grasp of all of the medications, medical devices, and interventions that are actively being delivered to the patient. In the event of a code, nurses may perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administer ACLS medications, manage the defibrillator, or chart the events of the code. In some cases, patients with recent cardiac surgery may receive open heart massage if traditional CPR does not work.

Medication Management

Cardiac ICU travel nurses are known for managing an incredible number of high-alert drip medications simultaneously, especially for post-operative patients. These medications can range from IV sedatives for intubated patients, to vasoactive drips that keep a patient alive. Cardiac ICU travel nurses need to be familiar with the mechanism of action, half-life, compatibility, and purpose of these medications on the patient's cardiac function and hemodynamics. Some of them are titratable based upon specific parameters set by provider order, like norepinephrine, while others require precise standardized dosing, such as an Amiodarone drip (i.e. bolus dose 1mg/min x6 hours, then reduce to 0.5mg/min x 18 hours). Nurses need to be familiar with drug characteristics like inotrope or chronotrope, which receptors are affected, and the order in which medications should be weaned off if necessary. Medications need to be administered according to The Joint Commission (TJC) standards and must reach a defined endpoint utilizing a tool such as the RASS (Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale) or a mean arterial pressure (MAP) goal. Many times, vasoactive medications are indicated for reaching a MAP goal in order to maintain adequate coronary perfusion.

Aside from the administration of medications, CVICU travel nurses also conduct comprehensive baseline assessments on their patients so they can accurately evaluate and react to a patient's response, or lack thereof, to medications.

CVICU travel nurses must also correlate lab values with the patient's condition or status. They use critical thinking to identify trends and proactively connect with providers to provide recommendations. Examples of this are recognizing the need for electrolyte repletion or for a Vancomycin trough level (which is drawn 30 minutes before the fourth dose).

Psychosocial Support and Palliative Care

CVICU travel nurses provide holistic care for patients and their families during their cardiac ICU stay. This includes therapeutic communication, education, and culturally-sensitive emotional care. A stay in the ICU can be extremely distressing and disruptive for both family and patient. Patients may struggle to cope with the prognosis of their disease, the physical ramifications of invasive cardiothoracic surgery, and the expected lifestyle changes. Many CVICU patients will need to be vigilant and compliant with a host of lifestyle adjustments in order to maintain their health. As the primary support system for the patient, families are inevitably affected and may require the support of nursing staff in order to cope and understand how to adapt to these changes as well.

Common Medical Equipment Used by CVICU Travel Nurses

Patients in the CVICU require the support of a variety of specialized medical equipment and devices. CVICU travel nurses need to understand how these devices work, what they do for the patient, and how to troubleshoot them. Like any other ICU, equipment such as ventilators, central lines, and arterial lines are commonplace in the CVICU. There may be other equipment such as non-invasive temperature management systems which are used to induce hypothermia in comatose patients that have suffered from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Specialized devices such as pacemakers, balloon pumps, Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)/ Right Ventricular Assist Device (RVAD), ECMO, Impella, Pulmonary Artery (PA) Catheters, CRRT, and chest tubes are also very common in the CVICU patient population. 

Patients with advanced heart failure and shock may require an intra-aortic balloon pump or IABP; this device assists the heart by decreasing the afterload and increasing the diastolic blood flow resulting in improved organ perfusion and coronary blood flow. Patients will typically go to the cath lab to have an IABP inserted. CVICU travel nurses are expected to know how to interpret the IABP augmented arterial pressure waveform from an arterial line and ensure the accuracy of balloon-pump timing through changes in the arterial pressure waveform. As a high-risk device, many complications can occur; nurses need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of decreased cardiac output and other problems such as limb ischemia, compartment syndrome, hemorrhage, aortic dissection, renal failure, cardiac tamponade, and thromboembolism.

In severe cases of heart failure and shock, patients may require ECMO or Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. CVICU travel nurses work with perfusionists, who check on the ECMO machinery and settings every hour, to manage this device. As the primary nurse, you will inevitably spend the most time monitoring the patient, so being familiar with ECMO configurations, having awareness of where the cannulas are located, and understanding the different modes (i.e. VA, VV) are important to know in the event of something malfunctioning. CVICU travel nurses have the option of training as ECMO specialists.

LVAD and RVAD

In specific cases of right and left heart failure, a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or right ventricular assist device (RVAD) may be inserted to support a patient’s cardiac output. CVICU travel nurses will need to closely monitor the patient for signs of decreased cardiac output such as slow capillary refill, pallor, decreasing level of consciousness, inadequate urinary output, weakened pulses, cardiac arrhythmias, and unstable hemodynamics. Patients with a VAD will require anticoagulation, so nurses must understand lab trends for PTT, along with Hgb, Hct, and platelets. For device management, nurses should understand how to change the batteries, how to maintain appropriate levels in the pressure bag, and what charted values signify, as the RN is responsible for notifying the provider of any abnormalities.

PA Catheter

Although much less common today, a Pulmonary Atery (PA) catheter , or Swan Ganz catheter, may be placed within patients. When attached to a pressure transducer outside the body, a PA catheter can help the medical team determine central venous pressure (CVP), right atrial pressure, right ventricular pressure, and pulmonary artery pressure. CVICU travel nurses should be well-versed in how to prepare for the insertion of a PA Catheter, along with how to set up and manage the transducer. Nurses should also understand catheter waveform readings, how to zero the transducer with proper patient positioning, and have an understanding of values such as cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and stroke volume (SV).

Travel cardiac ICU nurses at times have to play the role of dialysis nurse. CRRT, or Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, is used to provide 24-hour dialysis for patients who are hemodynamically unstable and have a kidney injury. Cardiac ICU travel nurses should understand how the CRRT machine operates, what physician orders mean, how to troubleshoot any errors, how to change fluid bags, how much fluid to pull off, and how to document accurately. 

Lines and Chest Tubes

Some other devices managed by CVICU travel nurses are central lines, arterial lines, and chest tubes. CVICU travel nurses may have to remove central lines (as long as competency to perform this has been demonstrated and documented) and arterial lines, so they should be familiar with the proper procedures for safe removal so the risk of pulmonary embolism and bleeding is decreased. Each facility should have a written procedure for catheter removal. For chest tubes, travel nurses should understand the difference between suction and gravity, how to change drainage systems, and how to apply a sterile occlusive dressing if a chest tube is accidentally dislodged. Cardiac intensive care unit nurses in general need to know how to prevent complications and care for the entry sites for all devices, as lines can easily become dislodged and result in dangerous consequences for the patient.

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How to become a cvicu travel nurse.

To become a successful CVICU travel nurse, the average timeline ranges from three to five years, at a minimum. Here are the steps to landing your first CVICU travel job.

Step 1: Become a Registered Nurse

The first step to your travel nursing journey is to obtain either a two-year Associate's Degree in Nursing (ASN) or a four-year Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN). Take note that many hospitals prefer BSN-trained nurses, but the option to attend an ASN-to-BSN nursing program later is always available.

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX (NGN)

After graduating, you must take the NCLEX (NGN) and pass in order to apply for your first nursing license. You can choose to apply to your state of choice and later apply for other state licenses. If you qualify, you can register for a multistate license with the National Licensure Compact (NLC) .

Step 3: Gain CVICU Experience

There are multiple avenues to gain CVICU experience. A popular option for newer nurses is joining a reputable ICU nurse residency program. For seasoned nurses, nurse fellowships are a great option as they are designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and experiences required to transition into a different specialty. Nurses with backgrounds in other units such as Cath Lab , ER , Step-down , or Med-surg can also transfer to a CVICU, as experienced nurses are usually welcomed in high-acuity units. You want to have at least one to two years of solid cardiac ICU nursing experience before traveling.

Step 4: Get Certified

Although obtaining certification is not a requirement, it can boost your knowledge and expertise as a cardiac ICU travel nurse. As a CVICU travel nurse, the most beneficial credentials to obtain are as follows:

• CCRN - American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
• Cardiac Medicine (CMC) - American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
• Cardiac Surgery (CSC) - American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
• Acute Cardiovascular RN (CV-RN II) - American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCM)
• Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CVNC) - American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Step 5: Apply for CVICU Travel Jobs

Once you have the prerequisite years of CVICU experience, along with any additional certifications, you can search through travel CVICU RN jobs with Nomad and apply to your perfect CVICU job match. 

CVICU Travel RN FAQ's

Are cvicu travel nurses in high demand, is cvicu travel nursing hard, why do travel nurses go to cvicu, how to apply for cvicu travel nurse jobs.

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• University of Michigan Medicine - Department of Anesthesiology: Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU) Rotation. Retrieved from: https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/anesthesiology/cardiovascular-icu-cvicu-rotation
• British Medical Journal - Heart: "Surviving Cardiac Intensive Care" by R. J. Levy. Retrieved from: https://heart.bmj.com/content/108/5/397
• JAMA Cardiology: "The Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Factors" by G. A. Roth et al. Retrieved from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2739025
• Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes: "The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit: Evolution of Care" by D. M. Brown et al. Retrieved from: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.117.004010
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center - CVICU Orientation Manual. Retrieved from: https://www.vumc.org/cvicu/sites/default/files/2021-08/CVICU%20Orientation%20Manual_1.pdf
• Critical Care Nurse: "The Nursing Shortage and Work Expectations: Are inpatient work expectations realistic?" by C. A. White et al. Retrieved from: https://aacnjournals.org/ccnonline/article/42/2/8/31717/The-Nursing-Shortage-and-Work-Expectations-Are-in
• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) - Bookshelf: "Cardiovascular Physiology" by A. Kumar et al. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537230/
• Nurse Compact: Compact States. Retrieved from: https://nursecompact.com/
• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) - Bookshelf: "Mechanical Ventilation" by K. Sole et al. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499841/
• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) - Bookshelf: "Perioperative Medicine: Medical Consultation and Co-management" by J. H. T. Waldron et al. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459381

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CVICU Travel Nurse Job Outlook and Salary: What You Need to Know

Table of Contents

Understanding the finances, responsibilities, and job outlook associated with specialized nursing roles is key to carving out a successful career in the field. This article explores the CVICU travel nurse specialty, which is among the best remunerated in travel nursing. We delve into the roles and responsibilities of a CVICU travel nurse , discuss the necessary skills and expertise, as well as the benefits and challenges of this job. Furthermore, we detail the factors that may influence the salary as well as the prevailing market conditions and future job trends in the field. Partner with Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health to access abundant CVICU travel nurse opportunities at esteemed medical centers nationwide while gaining robust career support.

Defining the Role of a CVICU Travel Nurse

Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) travel nurses play a critical role in providing specialized care to patients with complex cardiovascular conditions. As a CVICU travel nurse, you will work alongside other nurses and physicians to care for patients who have undergone major heart surgeries, received heart transplants, or are experiencing heart attacks, arrhythmias, strokes, aneurysms, and other acute cardiac events.

Your broad responsibilities during temporary assignments at major hospitals’ cardiovascular care units encompass the following:

Qualifications & Education

• Completing an accredited BSN or MSN nursing program
• Obtaining RN licensure by passing the NCLEX national exam
• Gaining 2+ years of fast-paced critical care experience as an ICU/CCU nurse
• Earning the CCRN cardiovascular nurse certification
• Finishing a formal critical care residency with a cardiology focus

Core Critical Care Responsibilities

• Continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring and interpretation
• Titrating vasoactive IV medication infusions
• Managing IABPs, ventricular assist devices, and ECMO
• Performing detailed assessments
• Identifying changes in patient condition and notifying the care team
• Documenting assessments, interventions, response to care, and other details in the patient chart
• Coordinating care with cardiologists, intensivists, surgeons
• Educating patients and families on care plans
• Ensuring proper documentation for reimbursement
• Participating in emergency interventions like resuscitation, intubation, and defibrillation when needed

Skills and Expertise Required for the Role:

• Excellent cardiovascular assessment skills and advanced knowledge of heart conditions
• Proficiency in interpreting EKGs, hemodynamic values, and cardiac rhythms
• Strong critical thinking and clinical judgment
• Ability to operate complex equipment like ventilators, IV pumps, and temporary pacemakers
• ACLS and other advanced cardiac life support certification
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Emotional resilience to cope with stressful and emotionally taxing situations
• Meticulous attention to detail

By sharpening their abilities to stabilize patients, prevent complications, and collaborate with providers following serious heart issues, CVICU travel nurses make a true lifesaving difference. As you prepare for elite CVICU travel roles, Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health provides support through every qualification and certification step.

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Unique Benefits & Challenges of Travel Nursing

Pursuing travel nursing opens up incredible geographic freedom to launch your career anywhere in the US while earning significantly higher pay rates. You'll also enjoy unique lifestyle perks like paid housing and travel allowances.

However, some adjustments come with the non-traditional arrangement:

Key Benefits

• 13-week assignments with the flexibility to extend
• Opportunity to gain experience in top medical facilities across the country
• Paid housing or stipends to support housing,
• Generous relocation assistance
• Flexibility and adventure from travel nursing
• Working with diverse patient populations and care teams

Overcoming Challenges

• Getting accustomed to new EMR systems and unit norms
• Building connections and rapport quickly
• Arranging health insurance between contracts
• Identifying the right travel company fit
• Budgeting effectively during unpaid break weeks

By proactively addressing changes and selecting supportive travel agencies invested in your success, any hurdles smooth out through guidance. This allows you to focus fully on advanced clinical practice and adventure.

Current Job Market for CVICU Travel Nurses

The job market for CVICU (cardiovascular intensive care unit) travel nurses is currently very strong. Hospitals rely heavily on travel nurses to fill gaps and provide high-quality care. Skilled CVICU travel nurses can easily find ample assignments across the U.S. in all types of facilities - major medical centers, community hospitals, etc.

Future Job Trends and Predictions:

Experts predict strong demand for CVICU travel nurses will continue in the future. As nurses leave the field, the rate of replacement is not occurring at the same pace. It is expected that 900,000 nurses will retire by 2027, according to research from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) . Research from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) suggests that the US will need over 200,000 new nurses each year to keep up with the rate of retiring nurses. This shows us that demand will be high for quite some time.

Salary for CVICU Travel Nurses

As a highly skilled specialty nurse, CVICU travel nurses can earn excellent compensation. However, salaries can vary considerably based on:

Factors that Influence Compensation:

Geographic location and its impact on salary.

• Highest paying states for travel nurses include states like California, New York, and Massachusetts due to the high cost of living.
• Rural and smaller cities tend to offer lower base salaries
• Major metro areas and coastal states/cities pay more due to demand

Demand and Supply Factors

• Higher demand during flu season and summer vacations increases pay rates
• Lower demand after holidays/school breaks decreases rates
• National nursing shortages drive up travel nurse compensation

Level of Experience

• More years of CVICU experience command higher pay
• Specialty certification (CCRN) boosts earnings potential
• New graduate nurses earn less than experienced nurses
• Nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses earn more

Average Salary of a CVICU Travel Nurse

The average salary for a CVICU nurse is roughly $124,000 in the United States. Travel nurse salaries are typically higher than average because of the demands of the job, such as traveling costs, flexibility from moving from place to place, and more. A supportive travel nurse agency optimizes your compensation potential through transparent guidance on regional benchmarks and pay negotiation support.

Tips for Negotiating Better Pay

Recognize your immense value in supporting understaffed CVICU units as a travel nurse when negotiating to accelerate salary growth:

• Thoroughly research regional median salaries to anchor negotiations
• Highlight specialized expertise as a CCRN-certified CVICU nurse
• Quantify contributions to quality of care, mortality rates, and revenue
• Emphasize capacity to manage high acuity and rapidly changing treatment needs
• Leverage agency expertise to secure optimal comprehensive packages

Facing extreme CVICU strains, hospitals invest in top talent to ensure patient care and outcomes. With the right agency support and negotiation guidance, never hesitate to advocate for fair value-based compensation that fuels your best care.

Partner With Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health

At Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health, we’re proud supporters of CVICU nurses pursuing adventurous travel careers while making a difference for cardiac patients nationwide. Our white-glove approach delivers a Full Circle of Support so you can swiftly achieve your career goals.

Our innovative Clinical Ladder , Work Study , and Career Coaching programs empower your continuous professional enrichment and skill elevation at every career stage. We simplify paperwork, resumes , credentialing, and onboarding, along with offering robust benefits so you can immediately focus on excellent patient care.

Discover how our amplified expertise opens up fantastic CVICU travel nurse jobs from leading centers coast to coast. With a knowledgable team collaborating to streamline your success and offer the support you need, count on accelerated career advancement the moment you join the Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health travel community!

Check out On Demand , our powerful web app, where you can search for and apply for CVICU travel nurse jobs across the nation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the job outlook for cvicu travel nurses.

Experts predict strong demand for CVICU travel nurses will continue in the future. As nurses leave the field, the rate of replacement is not occurring at the same pace. It is expected that 900,000 nurses will retire by 2027,

What skills do I need to be a CVICU travel nurse?

Becoming an accomplished CVICU travel nurse requires finishing an accredited BSN program, obtaining 2+ years of ICU experience, earning CCRN certification validating cardiovascular expertise, and sharpening abilities to continually assess, monitor, and stabilize critically ill cardiac patients. Communication skills and emotional resilience also enable success in fast-paced hospital settings.

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CVICU Nurse

The CVICU is a specialized hospital unit dedicated to caring for patients experiencing a wide range of conditions that affect their heart and blood vessels. Critical situations, complex patients, and exciting challenges are the norm here. 

Are you thinking about joining this exciting career path? CVICU nursing and CVICU travel nurse opportunities abound. Keep reading to learn more about this exhilarating and in-demand nursing specialty. 

What does a CVICU Nurse Do? CVICU nurses generally care for one to two critical patients at a time. While the CVICU nurse job description can vary between individual units, the primary responsibilities of CVICU RNs include:  Continuous monitoring and assessment of patients for both subtle and significant changes in vital signs and physiologic functions.  Administration of multiple complex and continuous intravenous (IV) medications that support cardiac function, provide sedation, and more.  Management of cardiac monitors, invasive monitors, central lines, arterial lines, ventilators, chest tubes, and other specialized medical equipment. Alerting the interdisciplinary care team to the patient’s progress, changes, and individualized needs. Responding to emergencies, performing CPR, and using advanced life support techniques to help patients who have stopped breathing or lost a pulse.  Frequent blood draws, dressing changes, wound care, and more.  CVICU nurses also provide support, education, and reassurance to patients and their families during stressful times. CVICU nurses expertly guide and advocate for their patients, ensuring the best possible care and outcomes.   What skills does a CVICU Nurse need?

CVICU nurses are skilled in critical care nursing, advanced cardiac treatments, and patient care. They pay close attention to detail and think critically about their patient's individual needs and circumstances. 

A CVICU nurse skill fully administers powerful medications, starts IVs, manages complex equipment, and has strong technical nursing skills. 

CVICU nurses are calm under pressure. They navigate and communicate stressful situations well. 

A CVICU nurse is flexible. In their line of work, things can change instantly, and adapting to the ever-changing needs of their complex patients is a necessity.  

Life as a CVICU nurse will keep you on your toes! There is always something to learn. Your knowledge, technical skills, and compassion will grow each day and never cease to make a difference in the lives of your patients. 

What skills does a CVICU Nurse need? CVICU nurses are skilled in critical care nursing, advanced cardiac treatments, and patient care. They pay close attention to detail and think critically about their patient's individual needs and circumstances.  A CVICU nurse skill fully administers powerful medications, starts IVs, manages complex equipment, and has strong technical nursing skills.  CVICU nurses are calm under pressure. They navigate and communicate stressful situations well.  A CVICU nurse is flexible. In their line of work, things can change instantly, and adapting to the ever-changing needs of their complex patients is a necessity.   Life as a CVICU nurse will keep you on your toes! There is always something to learn. Your knowledge, technical skills, and compassion will grow each day and never cease to make a difference in the lives of your patients.  Learn More About CVICU Nurses Work settings for CVICU Nurses CVICU nurses generally work in hospitals. CVICUs are often located in larger facilities, medical centers, and teaching hospitals. Pediatric CVICUs are located in larger pediatric facilities and children’s hospitals. Community hospitals may have smaller CVICUs.  Some CVICU nurses are critical care transport or flight nurses . These nurses help transport critically ill cardiac patients via ambulance, helicopter, or airplane from smaller facilities to larger medical centers that can give them the specialized care they need.  CVICU travel nurses are able to work in a wide range of facilities and hospitals throughout the country. CVICU nurses are in high demand and are needed in every area of the United States. Common Cases CVICU Nurses Encounter CVICU nurses see a wide range of cases and medical conditions. When patients need to be in the CVICU, they are sicker and require more specialized care than patients admitted to a cardiac step-down or cardiac medical unit.  These patients require advanced cardiac care and additional respiratory and physiologic support. Here are some of the most common CVICU diagnoses:  Myocardial infarctions or heart attacks.  Abnormal heart rhythms that require medications, defibrillation, or cardioversion.  Different types of heart failure, such as congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, heart failure from infection, other disease processes, and more.   Care of the patient after cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, cardiac valve replacement, aneurysm repair, and more. Care of the patient after cardiac catheterization, embolization, pacemaker placement, and other cardiac procedures.  Care of the patient before and after heart transplant operations.  How to Become A CVICU Nurse To become a CVICU nurse, start by completing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. After you complete your degree, here’s what comes next: Pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and obtain your RN license in the state you wish to begin working in. Don’t forget to check out our licensure guide to better understand each state’s requirements!  Now that you have your license, you may be wondering, “How do I get into CVICU?” Start by applying to work in a cardiac unit of the hospital. A year or more of previous nursing, telemetry, or other cardiac experience is often required before working in the CVICU.  Some CVICUs allow new graduate nurses without prior nursing experience to begin working in the CVICU. They typically offer extensive training and support programs to ensure these new nurses succeed in this challenging environment.  The length of time it takes to become a CVICU nurse varies for everyone! Depending on the unit you are applying to work in, you may be able to start immediately upon graduation and licensure without prior nursing experience. Other programs may require a year or more of nursing experience before applying to work in a CVICU. Some nurses consider CVICU nursing one of the most challenging types of ICU nursing due to the complex patients, technology, treatments, and procedures. It can be difficult to start here as a brand new nurse, but a dedicated new nurse with a supportive and comprehensive training program can absolutely succeed.  Does this mean that CVICU nursing is harder than other types of nursing, such as ER nursing? Not necessarily! While CVICU nursing is indeed a challenging specialty, each nursing specialty has its own unique challenges. Depending on your personal preferences, interests, and skills, you may find one nursing specialty to be more or less difficult than another.  Once you land a CVICU nursing job, seek out learning opportunities to develop your CVICU skills and continue your education! How to Advance Your Career As A CVICU Nurse Opportunities abound to advance your CVICU nursing career! If you return to school for an advanced degree in nursing, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, you can become a: CVICU clinical nurse specialist (CNS) CVICU acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) Nurse research scientist with a focus on CVICU nursing If going back to school isn’t in your plan, there are still many great ways to advance and further specialize your CVICU nursing career. Without an advanced degree, you can become a:  CVICU nurse manager CVICU nurse educator CVICU critical care transport nurse Specialised in advanced CVICU technology- such as the care of patients requiring ventricular assist devices (VADs), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), Impella pumps, balloon pumps, dialysis, and more.  Education Requirements & Helpful Certification CVICU nurses need an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing and a license to practice nursing in the state they wish to work in. Once these requirements are met, here’s what to do next:  CVICU nurses must maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications. If you are a pediatric CVICU nurse, you will need Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.    Once you have experience working as a CVICU nurse, you can study for and obtain a Critical Care RN Certification , or CCRN.  You can also consider additional cardiac nursing certifications, such as the Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) or Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC).  Average Salary For CVICU Nurses $85,000. CVICU travel nurses, CVICU nurses who specialise further, or CVICU nurses with advanced degrees can earn much more. White pay varies from facility to facility, CVICU nurses are amongst some of the highest-paid nurses, including other types of ICU nurses and nursing specialties. CVICU nursing pay varies by location. Areas of the country with lower living costs typically pay lower CVICU nurse wages, and areas with a higher cost of living often pay higher wages. For example, a staff CVICU nurse in Florida currently makes an average of $81,000 annually, while a CVICU nurse in New York makes an average of $89,000 annually. Don’t forget to use our Travel Nurse Salary Guide to stay current on the latest CVICU travel nurse pay information and trends! Here, you can also compare CVICU nurse travel pay with other travel nurse specialties pay- such as ER, ICU, medical-surgical nursing, and more. Specialty Organizations & Communities American Association of Critical Care Nurses- AACN Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing- CVSN American Association of Heart Failure Nurses- AAHFN Ideal Personality Traits Browse Jobs Let's start building the life you want.

Education Requirements

CVICU nurses need an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing and a license to practice nursing in the state they wish to work in. Once these requirements are met, here’s what to do next: 

• CVICU nurses must maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications. If you are a pediatric CVICU nurse, you will need Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.   
• Once you have experience working as a CVICU nurse, you can study for and obtain a Critical Care RN Certification , or CCRN. 
• You can also consider additional cardiac nursing certifications, such as the Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) or Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC). 

How to advance/career pathway

Opportunities abound to advance your CVICU nursing career! If you return to school for an advanced degree in nursing, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, you can become a:

• CVICU clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
• CVICU acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP)
• Nurse research scientist with a focus on CVICU nursing

If going back to school isn’t in your plan, there are still many great ways to advance and further specialize your CVICU nursing career. Without an advanced degree, you can become a: 

• CVICU nurse manager
• CVICU nurse educator
• CVICU critical care transport nurse
• Specialised in advanced CVICU technology- such as the care of patients requiring ventricular assist devices (VADs), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), Impella pumps, balloon pumps, dialysis, and more. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Most common cases.

CVICU nurses see a wide range of cases and medical conditions. When patients need to be in the CVICU, they are sicker and require more specialized care than patients admitted to a cardiac step-down or cardiac medical unit. 

These patients require advanced cardiac care and additional respiratory and physiologic support. Here are some of the most common CVICU diagnoses: 

• Myocardial infarctions or heart attacks. 
• Abnormal heart rhythms that require medications, defibrillation, or cardioversion. 
• Different types of heart failure, such as congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, heart failure from infection, other disease processes, and more.  
• Care of the patient after cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, cardiac valve replacement, aneurysm repair, and more.
• Care of the patient after cardiac catheterization, embolization, pacemaker placement, and other cardiac procedures. 
• Care of the patient before and after heart transplant operations. 

How to become a

To become a CVICU nurse, start by completing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. After you complete your degree, here’s what comes next:

• Pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and obtain your RN license in the state you wish to begin working in. Don’t forget to check out our licensure guide to better understand each state’s requirements! 
• Now that you have your license, you may be wondering, “How do I get into CVICU?” Start by applying to work in a cardiac unit of the hospital. A year or more of previous nursing, telemetry, or other cardiac experience is often required before working in the CVICU. 
• Some CVICUs allow new graduate nurses without prior nursing experience to begin working in the CVICU. They typically offer extensive training and support programs to ensure these new nurses succeed in this challenging environment. 
• The length of time it takes to become a CVICU nurse varies for everyone! Depending on the unit you are applying to work in, you may be able to start immediately upon graduation and licensure without prior nursing experience. Other programs may require a year or more of nursing experience before applying to work in a CVICU.
• Some nurses consider CVICU nursing one of the most challenging types of ICU nursing due to the complex patients, technology, treatments, and procedures. It can be difficult to start here as a brand new nurse, but a dedicated new nurse with a supportive and comprehensive training program can absolutely succeed. 
• Does this mean that CVICU nursing is harder than other types of nursing, such as ER nursing? Not necessarily! While CVICU nursing is indeed a challenging specialty, each nursing specialty has its own unique challenges. Depending on your personal preferences, interests, and skills, you may find one nursing specialty to be more or less difficult than another. 
• Once you land a CVICU nursing job, seek out learning opportunities to develop your CVICU skills and continue your education!

Specialty Groups and Communities

• American Association of Critical Care Nurses- AACN
• Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing- CVSN
• American Association of Heart Failure Nurses- AAHFN

Personality Traits

Average salary.

$85,000. CVICU travel nurses, CVICU nurses who specialise further, or CVICU nurses with advanced degrees can earn much more. White pay varies from facility to facility, CVICU nurses are amongst some of the highest-paid nurses, including other types of ICU nurses and nursing specialties.

CVICU nursing pay varies by location. Areas of the country with lower living costs typically pay lower CVICU nurse wages, and areas with a higher cost of living often pay higher wages. For example, a staff CVICU nurse in Florida currently makes an average of $81,000 annually, while a CVICU nurse in New York makes an average of $89,000 annually.

Don’t forget to use our Travel Nurse Salary Guide to stay current on the latest CVICU travel nurse pay information and trends! Here, you can also compare CVICU nurse travel pay with other travel nurse specialties pay- such as ER, ICU, medical-surgical nursing, and more.

Certifications

Work setting.

CVICU nurses generally work in hospitals. CVICUs are often located in larger facilities, medical centers, and teaching hospitals. Pediatric CVICUs are located in larger pediatric facilities and children’s hospitals. Community hospitals may have smaller CVICUs. 

Some CVICU nurses are critical care transport or flight nurses . These nurses help transport critically ill cardiac patients via ambulance, helicopter, or airplane from smaller facilities to larger medical centers that can give them the specialized care they need. 

CVICU travel nurses are able to work in a wide range of facilities and hospitals throughout the country. CVICU nurses are in high demand and are needed in every area of the United States.

TravelNursing

Qualifications/Skills of a CVICU Nurse

Once you have met the qualifications to become an RN, you can start on the career path of how to become a CVICU nurse. Most hospitals or other types of employers are looking for experience in their CVICU job candidates, and they typically will require hands-on patient care experience before hiring an RN to fill a CVICU nurse job. 

Once you have the appropriate qualifications and CVICU nursing skills that can be applied in a CVICU setting, it is important to focus on the necessary CVICU nurse certifications. At a minimum, most CVICU nurses will be required to have their Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications. 

Some hospitals may also require a CVICU nurse to have additional certifications, depending on the CVICU nurse job description and the patient population. Certification is an excellent way to validate your knowledge and skills while demonstrating your commitment to excellence to both your patients and your colleagues. 

According to the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) , there are variations of the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification that are applicable to CVICU nurses. 

For example, for CVICU nurses, the CMC for cardiac medicine could be a great certification to obtain. According to the AACN, “it is a subspecialty certification for certified nurses who provide direct care to acutely/critically ill adult cardiac patients. Nurses interested in this certification may work in areas such as cardiac care units, medical ICUs, telemetry, progressive care, heart failure clinics, home care, interventional cardiology, cardiac cath labs and/or electrophysiology units.” (AACN also notes the availability of a CSC certification for nurses who provide direct care to adult cardiac surgery patients.) 

Read More About CVICU Travel Nursing Salary and Requirements from the link below.

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Aya Healthcare is the largest healthcare staffing agency in the nation. Over the years, we’ve helped tens of thousands of pediatric cardiac RNs find their ideal jobs, and we’d love to help you, too! Are you looking for pediatric CVICU travel nurse jobs? Or perhaps permanent or per diem CVPICU nurse jobs near you? Whatever you’re looking for, Aya Healthcare has CVPICU nurse job openings for your next career step.

First time searching for pediatric cardiac RN jobs with Aya Healthcare? Don’t sweat it! Our extensive team of recruiting, credentialing, staffing, payroll, clinical and clinician experience experts is the best in the industry. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you as you find the perfect job.

Employment Types Pediatric Cardiac RNs

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Taking a leap into the world of traveling can be very overwhelming but with the right team, it all comes together. Monica Hamilton has truly been amazing through this whole learning process and would recommend her to anyone. She is patient, personable and very knowledgeable. I appreciate the transparency and she is always quick to respond. I look forward to our next adventure. Erica M. PICU RN

What Pediatric CVICU Travel Nurse Jobs are available?

Take your skills on the road, develop your talents and gain vital experience while meeting new people, exploring new places and making a positive impact across the nation.

Aya Healthcare offers pediatric CVICU travel nurse jobs nationwide — including exclusive assignments only available for Aya Healthcare travelers. As an travel CVPICU RN at Aya Healthcare, you’ll gain access to the largest job database in the industry, travel resources and your very own team of recruiting, credentialing, payroll and travel experience experts to assist you anytime you need.

Just complete your profile, then search for pediatric CVICU travel nurse jobs and express interest with just one click. Use filters to set specific parameters and save your search to receive alerts when matching jobs become available. We’ll even expedite the process to ensure you start on time.

Aya Healthcare offers many benefits for travel nurses, including a 401(k) plan (once eligible), competitive pediatric cardiac icu nurse salary, insurance options, free CEUs and more. We’ll even send you pizza if you’re working on your birthday!

How Can I Find A Permanent Position For CVPICU Nurse Jobs?

Settle down without settling with a permanent position at a leading hospital or healthcare organization.

Aya Healthcare is more than an agency for travel nurses. If you’re ready to put down roots somewhere, our team of industry-leading recruiters can help you find and secure a permanent CVPICU nurse job faster than if you applied by yourself. As the largest healthcare staffing agency, we have strong, established relationships with the top hospitals and healthcare organizations nationwide.

Complete your profile, filter your search for permanent positions and express interest in positions with just one click. We’ll connect you with a recruiter to discuss your ideal position. Your recruiter will assist you through the entire recruitment process, from coordinating interviews to helping you prepare for your first day on the job.

As your biggest fan, your recruiter will support, advocate and assist you during your search for the perfect CVPICU nurse job, including preparing you for interviews, providing resume advice, facilitating salary negotiation and more!

Aya Healthcare’s recruitment team is the best in the industry, and they’ll work tirelessly to help you land your ideal MS tele nursing job. They can prepare you for interviews, provide resume advice to capture your professional experience perfectly, work with the facility hiring teams to prioritize your application, gather immediate interview feedback, facilitate salary negotiation, secure offer decisions and more.

If you’re ready to find your next job as an MS tele nurse, meet with a recruiter and start the application process today!

What per diem Pediatric Cardiac nurse jobs are available?

Take control of your career with per diem opportunities that enable you to work when and where you want, improve your professional skills, supplement your income and more!

Aya Healthcare empowers you to take control of your careers with front-of-the-line access to per diem CVPICU nurse jobs — including exclusive PRN jobs only available through Aya Healthcare. If flexible work hours and weekly paychecks sound like your cup of tea, then sign up today to find a CVPICU nurse job near you.

Complete a profile, search for jobs and express interest with just one click. Our team will take care of the rest! With Aya Healthcare, you can work as many per diem shifts as you want. You can even add extra shifts during a travel assignment and manage your per diem schedule through our mobile app, Shifts.

Aya Healthcare offers a variety of perks for PRN CVPICU nurses, including competitive pay, weekly payments every Friday, a 401(k) plan and accrued sick time.

What Factors Can Influence A Permanent Pediatric Cardiac ICU Nurse Salary?

It’s important to acknowledge that a pediatric cardiac icu nurse salary can vary, even within the same city or facility. At Aya Healthcare, we recognize the significance of having comprehensive information when making career decisions as a pediatric CVICU nurse. That’s why we provide complete visibility of pay rates once you log in to your Aya Healthcare account. Through your MyAya account, you can conveniently sort and filter job listings, save searches and receive notifications when the perfect per diem, local, permanent or pediatric CVICU travel nurse jobs become available.

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