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BASIC DESCRIPTION
An electrophysiology nurse—a specialty in cardiology nursing—assists and educates patients undergoing an electrophysiology study procedure of the heart. An electrophysiology study of the heart involves a nonsurgical procedure to obtain information about the heart’s electrical activity. They also work with patients who have pacemakers or defibrillators.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Registered nurse preparation and Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are required; certification is available from the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Cardiac/Vascular Nurse and from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses as a critical care nurse.
CORE COMPETENCIES/SKILLS NEEDED
■ Minimum acute care experience preferably in emergency nursing or critical care
■ Strong knowledge in cardiology
■ Excellent assessment and critical thinking skills
RELATED WEB SITES AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
■ American Nurses Credentialing Center (http://www.nursecredentialing.org/NurseSpecialties/CardiacVascular.aspx)
■ Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (http://www.pcna.net/)
■ American Association of Critical Care Nurses (www.aacn.org)