See what a cardiac cath lab nurse does on a typical shift, from heart attack alerts to post-procedure care. Learn the skills, certifications and pay.

<p class="">A cardiac cath lab RN is a registered nurse who cares for patients during heart procedures. In the cardiac catheterization lab, doctors use thin tubes called catheters, threaded through a blood vessel in the wrist or groin, to find and fix problems in the heart. You keep the patient safe and comfortable, watch every heartbeat and act fast when something changes. When a heart attack alert comes in, you are part of the team racing to open a blocked artery.</p>
<p class="">If you are thinking about the cath lab, or you already work there and want to grow, this guide shows you what a real shift looks like and where this specialty can take you.</p>
<h2 class="">What Does a Cath Lab Nurse Do?</h2>
<p class="">A cath lab nurse cares for patients before, during and after heart and blood vessel procedures. These include tests to look for blocked arteries, placing stents to open them, and placing pacemakers or other heart devices in some labs.</p>
<p class="">Most cath lab nurses handle these tasks:</p>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">Pre-procedure care:</strong> Checking history, labs, allergies and consent, and starting IVs</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Moderate sedation:</strong> Giving medications to keep patients relaxed and comfortable during the procedure</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Monitoring:</strong> Watching heart rhythm, blood pressure and oxygen levels the entire time</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Pressure readings:</strong> Tracking blood pressure readings from inside the heart (hemodynamic monitoring)</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Circulating:</strong> Getting supplies, documenting and supporting the doctor and team</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Emergency response:</strong> Acting fast if the patient’s heart rhythm or blood pressure changes</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Post-procedure care:</strong> Managing the puncture site, removing the access sheath and teaching patients what to do at home</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="">A Day in the Life of a Cath Lab RN</h2>
<p class="">Many cath lab nurses work 8-, 9- or 10-hour day shifts, plus an on-call rotation for emergencies at night and on weekends. Here is what a typical day can look like.</p>
<h3 class="">6:45 a.m. Team Huddle</h3>
<p class="">The team reviews the day’s schedule. It might include several heart catheterizations, a few stents and an add-on patient from the emergency room. You check your room, test equipment and stock supplies.</p>
<h3 class="">7:15 a.m. Prep the First Patient</h3>
<p class="">You meet your first patient in the prep area, review history and allergies, check kidney labs and blood thinners and start an IV. You explain what to expect, since many patients feel nervous before a heart procedure.</p>
<h3 class="">8:00 a.m. First Case</h3>
<p class="">You bring the patient into the lab, attach monitors and give sedation as ordered. During the procedure, you watch the patient’s heart rhythm, blood pressure, breathing and comfort while the cardiologist works. You document every step.</p>
<h3 class="">9:30 a.m. A Stent Is Placed</h3>
<p class="">The doctor finds a blocked artery and places a stent. You give medications as ordered, watch for rhythm changes and keep the patient calm. Minutes later, blood is flowing again.</p>
<h3 class="">11:00 a.m. Heart Attack Alert</h3>
<p class="">The emergency room calls a STEMI, a serious type of heart attack. The team drops everything and gets the room ready. Every minute counts, and your speed helps save heart muscle and lives.</p>
<h3 class="">1:00 p.m. Recovery and Site Care</h3>
<p class="">You check the puncture site for bleeding, remove the sheath when it is safe and teach the patient about activity limits and warning signs to watch for at home.</p>
<h3 class="">4:30 p.m. Wrap-Up and Call</h3>
<p class="">You finish charting, restock the room and hand off patients in recovery. If you are on call tonight, you keep your phone close and stay within a short drive of the hospital.</p>
<h2 class="">Skills Every Cath Lab Nurse Needs</h2>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">Strong heart knowledge:</strong> You read heart rhythms and pressure readings quickly</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Calm under pressure:</strong> Emergencies can happen in seconds</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Sedation skills:</strong> You keep patients comfortable and safe</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Teamwork:</strong> You work closely with cardiologists, technologists and other nurses</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Clear patient education:</strong> You explain procedures and recovery in plain language</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="">Certifications Cath Lab Nurses Need</h2>
<p class="">Every cath lab nurse needs an active RN license, BLS (Basic Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support). Travel cath lab roles often ask for at least two years of recent cath lab experience and an on-call commitment.</p>
<p class="">The CV-BC (Cardiac-Vascular Nursing certification) is a board certification that shows your heart and vascular expertise. It is not required for most jobs, but it can set you apart.</p>
<h2 class="">Where Cath Lab Nurses Work</h2>
<p class="">Cath lab nurses work in hospital cath labs, heart centers, outpatient procedure centers and large academic medical centers. Some labs also handle electrophysiology (heart rhythm) or vascular procedures.</p>
<p class="">Want to work in new labs and learn new procedures? <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/travel/travel-nursing-jobs" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="">Travel nursing</a> lets you take 13-week cath lab assignments across the country. Prefer to stay close to home? Explore <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/local/per-diem-nursing-jobs" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="">per diem and local contracts</a>.</p>
<h2 class="">How Much Do Cath Lab Nurses Make?</h2>
<p class="">The median pay for registered nurses in the U.S. was $97,550 per year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cath lab nurse pay depends on location, experience and on-call pay. Travel cath lab nurses often earn more through weekly pay packages that can include housing support and travel reimbursement.</p>
<h2 class="">Is Cath Lab Nursing Right for You?</h2>
<p class="">Cath lab nursing may be a great fit if you love heart care, enjoy procedures and want the rush of saving lives in real time. It also builds skills that carry into other cardiac roles, including the cardiac ICU.</p>
<h2 class="">Frequently Asked Questions About Cath Lab Nursing</h2>
<h3 class="">Do cath lab nurses take call?</h3>
<p class="">Yes, most do. Call covers heart attacks and other emergencies at night, on weekends and on holidays. You usually need to arrive within a set time after you are called.</p>
<h3 class="">Can new grads work in the cath lab?</h3>
<p class="">It is less common. Most cath labs prefer nurses with ICU, ER or cardiac experience first. Travel cath lab roles usually require about two years of recent cath lab experience.</p>
<h3 class="">What is the difference between a cath lab nurse and a cath lab tech?</h3>
<p class="">Both work on the same team. Nurses focus on patient care, sedation and medications. Cardiovascular technologists often focus on equipment, imaging and helping the doctor.</p>
<h3 class="">Is the cath lab a good fit after the ICU or ER?</h3>
<p class="">Yes. ICU and ER nurses bring strong rhythm, medication and emergency skills that carry over well to the cath lab.</p>
<h2 class="">Take the Next Step in Your Cath Lab Career</h2>
<p class="">Your cath lab skills are in demand across the country. Whether you want a new city, a new schedule or a new challenge, Cross Country can help you find the right fit. <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/travel" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="">Search cath lab nursing jobs</a> or <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/apply-now" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="">apply today</a> to connect with a recruiter.</p>


What Does a Cath Lab RN Do? A Day in the Life | Cross Country

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