Benchmark - Future Scope, Role, and Professional Obligations Paper

Benchmark - Future Scope, Role, and Professional Obligations Paper
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Benchmark - Future Scope, Role, and Professional Obligations Paper
The history of cardiology can be traced back to the 18th century since John Warren’s publication of his “Remarks on Angina Pectoris” in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1812. Despite the change in our understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease, Warren’s description of angina pectoris still resonates today. The most memorable contribution to cardiology was in a study called the monumental Framingham Heart Study conducted in 1948 (“History of Cardiology” 2016). The study involved identifying hypertension and hypercholesterolemia as the main risk factors that lead to heart disease. Management of the condition requires concerted efforts from the different healthcare service providers. 
Role of the ICU Cardiovascular Nurse
The primary role of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) nurse is to provide nursing care to patients suffering from critical cardiovascular conditions. The job description of these nurses are varied and range from administration of IV medication to providing emergency support to the patient suffering from heart failure. The position is quite complex and demanding because patients in such conditions are fighting for their lives and require them to be fast-paced in their activities (Rao, Kazi, & Garang, 2020). Therefore, the primary duties of these nurses include providing direct clinical patient care, drug administration, constantly checking the critical signs on the patients, operating heart monitors, performing therapeutic and diagnostic examinations, operating defibrillators to restart patients’ hearts, and filling out the paperwork and patient charting. These roles are quite complex and demand utmost dedication on the side of the nurse. 
The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit nurses remain in high demand and are among the most sought-after nursing professionals. For future practice, these nurses must continue to have strong clinical and critical thinking skills and also be able to show compassion to both the patients and their families. Heart procedures are a scary experience, and hence those who participate must be ready to care for the whole person. The nurse also needs to be competent at managing highly technical equipment. Sometimes, the patients may have intra-aortic balloon pumps, artificial ventilation, weaning, or conscious sedation, requiring technical expertise. These nurses should also be proficient at reading heart monitors and electrocardiograms. The nurses keep track of the significant signs and provide primary nursing care to the patients. Finally, these nurses must have strong communication skills and the ability to work as a team.
Regulatory and Professional Guidelines for General Nurses
Based on the complex nature of the course, a nurse needs specific qualifications to be allowed to practice. The essential requirement is the academic qualifications, and in this case, the practitioner needs a Master of Science in Nursing degree, which includes a specialized ACNP. Most nursing schools provide a 2...