Electrophysiology Lab Nurse Salary Guide

An electrophysiology lab nurse, or EP lab nurse, is a subspecialty of a specialty in the cardiology field. An EP nurse is a highly specialized medical professional who works with other professionals in a cardiology lab, generally in a hospital setting. The in-depth knowledge of the electrical conduction activities of the heart and advanced skills and training required for this role greatly influences an EP lab RN's salary but other factors may also play a role.

An electrophysiology lab nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in assisting with electrophysiology studies of the heart, including educating patients undergoing these procedures. An electrophysiology study is a non-surgical procedure that provides information about the electrical activity of a patient’s heart. EP nurses provide critical care before, during, and after electrophysiology procedures, and may work with patients with pacemakers or defibrillators.

Becoming an electrophysiology lab nurse requires earning an associate or a bachelor’s degree from a nursing program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam to become registered nurses. Once licensed, EP nursing candidates must enroll in a cardiovascular electrophysiology training program to properly prepare for the job.

Several factors influence how a healthcare facility bases the salary for an electrophysiology lab RN. Top criteria include work experience, education, additional skills, certifications, and location.

The number of years of nursing experience you have is usually a major basis for salary, which is something you can only obtain through time on the job. Most facilities prefer hiring EP lab nurses who already have at least two years of experience in the field. If you’re trying to transition to the EP lab, gain relevant experience by working in departments that expose you to cardiology care and treatment. This experience also provides you with additional skills and education, which can affect your base salary.

While education specifically in the cardiovascular field is crucial and impacts base salary, nurses with ADNs typically earn less than those with BSNs. Many healthcare facilities are leaning towards hiring BSN-trained nurses in specialty roles, so an EP lab RNs salary could reflect this preference. If you currently have an ADN, consider earning your BSN. If you already have your BSN, consider earning an advanced degree.

Key certifications can also impact salary but required certifications may not have much effect. However, not having these certifications could influence whether you’re hired. EP RNs must have Basic Life Support certification and almost always need Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification. If ACLS isn’t required, get certified anyway to potentially improve your base salary.

Location can be a huge factor, which includes work setting and geography. Electrophysiology lab nurses typically work in the cardiology lab of general hospitals or at heart hospitals and both settings pay well. Geographically speaking, California tends to be the highest paying state for nurses in all fields. Other West Coast states and many states up north also pay more compared to some, but always compare salary to cost of living to ensure the facility is offering a living wage.

Further education and additional certifications in the field of cardiovascular nursing can help boost your salary and your career options. The Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association offers training and certification for advanced beginners and combines rigorous clinical training with practical activities. PCNA’s Cardiovascular Nursing Certificate isn’t meant to replace other certifications. It simply offers an educational experience for EP lab nurses that strengthens their professional knowledge and competence in cardiovascular nursing.

The American Nurse Credentialing Center’s Cardiac/Vascular Nurse Certification (CV-BC) provides board certification through a competency-based examination. Certification proves your clinical knowledge and skills in the cardiac-vascular specialty. You must have worked as an RN full-time for two years and accumulated at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice and 30 hours of continuing education in cardiac-vascular nursing to sit for the exam.

Advanced degrees always boost your RN salary. While there aren’t specific advanced practice degrees/certifications in EP lab nursing, you can obtain your graduate degree and board certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. These serve you well in electrophysiology by allowing you to pursue an APRN role while giving your paycheck a bump.

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