Cardiology Nurse Salary Guide

Cardiology nurses are registered nurses who specialize in preventing and treating conditions involving the heart. They might care for patients suffering from congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease, recuperating from heart bypass or pacemaker surgery, or recovering from a heart attack. No matter the work setting, cardiology RNs monitor patients’ vital signs, especially heart activity, and work closely with cardiologists to provide ongoing care.

To specialize in cardiac nursing, you must earn at least an associate degree in nursing, but many hospitals prefer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. All nursing programs must have Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation. Following graduation, prospective nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed, then gain clinical experience in the cardiology field.

Wage increases are often dependent on years of experience across nursing fields. Therefore, the amount of time cardiac nurses have on the job can translate to higher base salaries. More experience also usually leads to more responsibilities but taking on additional responsibilities can also boost your base salary.

While a cardiology RN can enter the workforce with just an ADN, many facilities prefer nurses in this specialized field who’ve completed a four-year BSN degree. A cardiology RN's salary may be partially based on this preference. Earning an advanced degree should always impact your base salary and assist with your career progression.

Different healthcare facilities use different parameters to base a cardiology RN’s salary, but the facilities’ geographical location often makes a big impact. Certain states have historically paid more than others, though this can change as demand for nurses within this specialty increases or decreases in a given area. No matter the state, healthcare facilities in urban locales typically pay more than those in a rural setting. Many rural hospitals may not even have cardiology departments and rely on nearby facilities to treat cardiac patients.

A cardiology RN’s salary also may be partially based on the professional certifications the nurse holds. Cardiac nurses must have Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification, so these certifications may not factor into their salaries. Relevant certifications above these requirements should have an impact.

To advance as a cardiology nurse, RNs should consider pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing. An advanced degree opens opportunities for an advanced practice role, such as becoming a cardiology nurse practitioner. Cardiac NPs can take the Cardiac Nurse Practitioners Level IV Exam (CVNP-BC) through the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCM), the only cardiology exam available for NPs. Earning your MSN and certification should give your salary a significant boost.

Even without an advanced degree, BSN-level cardiology RNs have several professional certifications available to them that can lead to career advancement and bigger paychecks.

The ABCM suggests at least one year of practice in a non-acute care setting to better prepare for the Board-Certified Cardiac Nurse (CVRN-BC) in non-acute cardiology care exam. After earning your CVRN-BC, it’s recommended you complete two years of practice in an acute care setting to prepare for the Cardiovascular Nursing Level II – Board Certified Cardiac Nurse (CVRN-BC Level II) in acute cardiology care. You can sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Board-Certified Cardiac Vascular Nurse (CV-BC) exam after two years of full-time RN practice and completion of at least 2,000 hours in clinical practice and 30 hours of continuing education in cardiac-vascular nursing.

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses offers Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) and Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC). Both are subspecialty certifications for RNs who already hold an accredited clinical nursing specialty certification to attach the certification to and require a set amount of relevant practice and passing an exam.

Earning your Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC), often increases your salary potential as a cardiology nurse or makes you eligible for another position with greater responsibilities, which also might include a bump in wages.

Yes, having a Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a cardiology nurse.

Take a look at Vivian's Cardiology Nurse Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.