The Cardiac Institute at Le Bonheur is the only pediatric cardiovascular program in the Mid-South using combined skills of pediatric cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac nurses and a specially trained staff of experts. Becoming a nurse within the Cardiac Institute at Le Bonheur means focus and dedication to the very specific area of pediatric cardiology.

Cardiac nurses work with a specialized team of cardiac doctors, surgeons and intensivists to treat children with a wide variety of complex heart diseases. Because of this, many cardiac nurses are also cross-trained in critical care. Le Bonheur is also home to specialized diagnostic tools for cardiac patients, such as:

• Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG)
  • Transthoracic Echnocardiography (ECHO)
  • Transesophageal ECHO
  • Fetal ECHO
• Stress testing
• Tilt Table testing

Le Bonheur is also home to two cardiac catheterization (cath) labs to provide both diagnostic and interventional procedures. Le Bonheur’s state-of-the-art cath labs are the only ones in the region to offer cryoblation. Cath lab procedures include angiograms, angioplasty, PDA closures, Septostomy, Transcatheter embolization and many others. Treatment at Le Bonheur includes evaluation and treatment for all forms of congenital and acquired heart disease, hypertension, cardiac rhythm disorders and other related pediatric cardiology diagnoses. In addition, Le Bonheur serves as an educational leader for pediatric cardiology fellows, which provides a learning environment for many nurses and specialists.

In 2007, Le Bonheur began construction on a 6-bed Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) to focus on the unique needs of critically-ill neonatal and pediatric patients with congenital and acquired heart disease. A dedicated team of cardiac intensivists, cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, registered nurses, respiratory therapists and a variety of other services provide multidisciplinary collaboration aiming to provide high-quality therapeutic outcomes. Advanced technologies offered in the CVICU are ventricular access device and Cardiac Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). Many nursing opportunities are available in this area of critical care.

Nurses looking for community outreach opportunities may also consider cardiac, because of the Cardiac Kids Camp held every summer. Children with heart conditions are given the chance to go to an overnight summer camp to have fun and learn about their conditions. The camp is monitored by cardiac nurses and experts who can care for the campers’ special needs.