Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What Is a Cath Lab Nurse
- What Do Cath Lab Nurses Do?
- Cath Lab Nurse Job Description
- Cath Lab Registered Nurse Salary Overview, 2025
- Become a Registered Cath Lab Nurse Now!
According to the World Health Organization, heart disease remains the major cause of death globally. Yet, while cardiologists often get the spotlight, it’s the cath lab nurse who keeps things running smoothly inside the catheterization lab.
A catheterization laboratory, also known as a cath lab, is a specialized area in hospital settings where healthcare professionals perform minimally invasive tests and advanced procedures to diagnose and treat diseases. This is where you will meet a cath lab nurse who plays an important role in patient care and clinical efficiency. These nurses usually work in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment, where they assist doctors in diagnostic and interventional procedures related to the heart and vascular system. Now, let’s understand more about the roles, responsibilities, salaries, and job descriptions of a catheter lab nurse in detail.
What is a Cath Lab Nurse?
Cath lab nurses are healthcare specialists who provide patients with cardiac care before, during, and after medical operations. They cater specifically to those patients who require catheters. Before the procedure, cath lab nurses check the patient’s overall health to ensure they’re ready for surgery.
During the operation, they monitor vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, to ensure the patient stays stable. After the procedure, they help patients recover by managing care, providing support, and watching for any complications.
What Do Cath Lab Nurses Do?
Cath lab nurses are an inevitable part of the overall cath lab care team. These healthcare professionals assist physicians, especially cardiologists, during the catheterization procedure. A cath lab nurse also provides care to cardiac patients during the post-catheterization recovery period.
They examine patients before the catheterization procedure and monitor their vitals throughout the process. Sometimes, these nurses also care for patients who have suffered critical injuries.
Read More: Should Nurses Get ACLS Certification?
Cath Lab Nurse Job Description
Cath lab nurses do more than just monitor patients during and after procedures. These professionals wear protective gear, such as radiation badges, lead aprons, thyroid shields, and leaded glasses, for the safety of patients and others around them. They are also well aware of the stages of the cardiac cycle, which helps them monitor heart function and respond quickly to any irregularities during procedures.
On that note, here is a detailed look at the nurse cath lab job description for those aspiring to enter this field:
Preparing Patients for Procedures
Cath lab nurses begin by preparing patients physically and mentally before catheterization or interventional procedures. This includes
- Verifying patient identity
- Reviewing the medical history
- Explaining the procedure
- Checking for allergies (especially to contrast dyes)
- Obtaining informed consent
- Ensuring that all preoperative tests are complete
Assisting During Cardiac Catheterization
During procedures such as angioplasty or stent placement, cath lab nurses assist cardiologists by handing instruments, administering medications, and monitoring the patient’s vital signs in real-time. They ensure all sterile techniques are maintained to prevent infection and help with catheter and wire placements when necessary.
Monitoring Vital Signs and Patient Responses
Continuous monitoring is one of the most important duties. Cath lab nurses observe electrocardiograms (ECGs), blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and other parameters. If complications arise, such as arrhythmias or hypotension, they act immediately to alert the physician and assist with emergency interventions.
Administering Medications and Sedation
Cath lab nurses are responsible for preparing and administering pre-, intra-, and post-procedural medications. This includes sedatives, anticoagulants, vasodilators, or pain medications, always according to the physician’s direction and established protocols.
Providing Post-Procedure Care
After the procedure, the nurse ensures the patient is stable during the recovery period. They apply pressure dressings or closure devices at the catheter site, monitor for bleeding or hematoma formation, assess for signs of stroke or embolism, and educate the patient about post-care instructions and follow-up.
Coordinating with the Cardiology Team
Effective communication is the key to success in a high-pressure environment like the cath lab. Nurses work closely with cardiologists, radiologic technologists, and other nursing staff to ensure procedures are efficient and safe. A cardiac cath nurse may also assist in preparing detailed reports and documenting all actions taken during the intervention.
Educating Patients and Families
These professionals also discuss different ways to survive a heart attack, blockage, or other cardiac conditions. Nurses often serve as the bridge between the medical team and the patient, providing emotional support and practical guidance. The
Handling Emergency Situations
Cath lab nurses are trained to handle emergencies such as cardiac arrest, severe arrhythmias, or contrast reactions. They are skilled in initiating basic and advanced life support and must remain calm and decisive in critical moments.
Maintaining Compliance and Records
Finally, cath lab nurses must ensure that all documentation complies with hospital and regulatory standards. This includes charting procedure details, medication logs, patient responses, and any incidents that occurred during care.
Read More: Life Support: Information, Ethics & Decision-making
Cath Lab Registered Nurse Salary Overview, 2025
The salary of a cath lab nurse often varies depending on factors like location, experience, education, and the type of healthcare facility. The average annual salary for a cardiac cath lab nurse in the United States is $94,480, with an average hourly pay being somewhere around $45. An additional income source for a cath lab registered nurse may include on-call shifts, overtime pay, and specialty certifications.
On that note, here is an overview of the salaries of a cath lab nurse in the top 10 highest paying states of the U.S.:
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
| Washington | $159,247 | $13,270 | $3,062 | $76.56 |
| District of Columbia | $158,885 | $13,240 | $3,055 | $76.39 |
| New York | $153,825 | $12,818 | $2,958 | $73.95 |
| Massachusetts | $153,556 | $12,796 | $2,953 | $73.83 |
| Alaska | $151,422 | $12,618 | $2,911 | $72.80 |
| Vermont | $149,497 | $12,458 | $2,874 | $71.87 |
| North Dakota | $148,769 | $12,397 | $2,860 | $71.52 |
| Oregon | $148,658 | $12,388 | $2,858 | $71.47 |
| Colorado | $147,847 | $12,320 | $2,843 | $71.08 |
| Hawaii | $146,081 | $12,173 | $2,809 | $70.23 |
Salary Insights Worth Noting
As seen in the table above, cath lab nurses in Washington earn the highest annual average at $159,247. This is followed closely by the District of Columbia at $158,885. That’s nearly 68% higher than the national average salary of $94,480, which highlights the premium pay in these regions.
All top 10 states offer hourly wages above $70, with Washington at the top, providing $76.56/hr. That’s a substantial difference from the national average of $45 per hour, which makes relocation or travel nursing appealing for many.
Become a Registered Cath Lab Nurse Now!
A cath lab nurse holds one of the most impactful roles in cardiac healthcare. Their ability to support life-saving procedures, manage patient care under pressure, and work as part of a multidisciplinary team makes them a key part of hospitals and cardiology centers. While the road to becoming a registered nurse in this field requires dedication and specialized training, the financial and professional rewards are substantial. So, if you’re interested in joining this profession, enroll in an advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification now. This course gives you a complete understanding of the physiology of the heart, including other procedures to help patients in emergencies.
