My journey into cardiovascular nursing began with a personal tragedy that changed the course of my life.
My father passed away from sudden cardiac arrest alone in an emergency room. He had been a frequent visitor to the ER, and on that day, he simply wasn't monitored closely enough — perhaps because he was seen as just another "frequent flyer," expected to receive the usual treatment and be on his way.
This failure to properly monitor him, which he truly needed, shattered my world and sparked a mission to ensure that no other family would have to endure such an avoidable loss.
The tragedy ignited my passion for nursing, and I resolved to become the best cardiovascular nurse in the world.
Over the years, I committed myself to learning everything I could about the heart, its rhythms, diagnostics, and treatment. I wanted to be on the front lines, where I could make the most difference in patients' lives, advocating for people like my father, who needed someone to fight for them when they couldn’t do it themselves.
Transforming loss into leadership in cardiovascular health
My father’s passing was the catalyst, but my journey has been defined by the vow I made to ensure that loss became a force for positive change.
My career in cardiovascular nursing has taken me from bedside care to leadership in advocacy and public health. I’ve been privileged to serve as a spokesperson for the American Heart Association (AHA), and I became the first nurse to co-chair the AHA Western States Affiliate Health Equity Task Force. In this role, I oversaw programs and resources in 10 western states impacting 65 million people and worked to address disparities in cardiovascular care, ensuring that access to quality heart health services was not limited by zip code, race, or income level.
I was sent to Washington, D.C., during President Obama's administration as part of the Preventive Cardiovascular Task Force, where I contributed to shaping national strategies for cardiovascular prevention. Additionally, I led AHA conferences at my state capital to discuss important health legislation designed to improve heart health for the public.
These experiences solidified my belief that, as nurses, our impact extends far beyond the bedside. We can influence policies that shape the very framework of our healthcare system.
The urgent need for cardiovascular care
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 18 million deaths each year. In the United States alone, one in every four deaths is due to heart disease. Adding to this devastating reality is the AHA's estimate that nearly 127.9 million adults in the U.S. have some form of cardiovascular disease, placing immense pressure on the healthcare system.
The economic impact is also significant. Cardiovascular disease costs the U.S. healthcare system about $422.3 billion annually, which includes healthcare services, medications, and lost productivity. This financial burden affects healthcare facilities, patients, and their families.
These statistics illustrate how important cardiovascular care is. Early detection, intervention, and ongoing management are all essential to reducing this burden. Ensuring quality care, educating patients, and helping manage chronic conditions can drastically reduce the incidence of preventable cardiac events.
However, just as the demand for cardiovascular care is increasing, we face a nursing shortage that is being felt even more acutely in specialized fields like cardiovascular nursing. The U.S. is projected to need over 194,500 new registered nurses annually through 2033 to meet healthcare demands, and specialties such as cardiovascular care are among those facing the most significant challenges in recruitment.
The shortage of nurses in specialized fields means that those of us currently practicing have a greater responsibility — and an even greater opportunity — to make an impact.
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The Cardiovascular Nursing Consortium
Effective communication can drive meaningful change, whether at the bedside, in a boardroom, or on a public platform. On November 1, 2024, Indiana University Health will be hosting its first annual Cardiovascular Nursing Consortium. This event is intended to foster support, growth, and professional development for nurses with an interest in cardiovascular care.
A critical component of our role as nurses is advocacy — not only for our patients but for our profession and communities. My experiences with the AHA, my role as a medical correspondent, and my advocacy efforts have shown me the power of using our voices for change.
As nurses, our advocacy ensures that patients receive the care they need, that our profession is respected, and that our healthcare system is continuously improving. At this event, I look forward to exploring how we can all use our voices, in our capacities, to lead change and make a positive impact.
It will also be an opportunity for nurses to come together, share our knowledge, and learn from each other's experiences. I’ll be there to share my journey from the bedside to national advocacy for cardiovascular health, but this event is about more than one story. It’s about connecting with our collective "why"— the reasons we chose cardiovascular care, the passion that keeps us going, and the goals we want to achieve.
It’s about finding your rhythm in a demanding field and leading with purpose and compassion.
Finding your rhythm
Cardiovascular nursing is a specialty that requires not just technical skills but also an innate understanding of the human experience. The heart is more than an organ; it's a symbol of life itself. As a cardiac nurse, you learn to interpret rhythms, anticipate crises, and understand that every heartbeat represents someone's life, someone's loved one.
As a nurse, finding your own rhythm means understanding what drives you, what inspires you, and what challenges you're willing to take on. It means letting your passion propel you forward through whatever obstacles lay in front of you.
It’s passion that has driven me to where I am today — not only caring for patients but also educating and advocating on a national level.
Whether it was providing bedside care, speaking on television as a medical correspondent, or standing in front of lawmakers, my mission has always been clear: to ensure that everyone has access to quality cardiovascular care and that nurses are empowered to lead in making that a reality.
I’ve faced many challenges in my journey, but my passion for cardiovascular care and my commitment to preventing the kind of loss my family suffered kept me moving forward. That experience defined my purpose and guided me through every challenge, and I hope each of you finds your own purpose and rhythm to lead you forward.
Whether you're a new nurse just starting out in cardiovascular care, an experienced practitioner looking for new opportunities, or someone ready to embrace a leadership role, there is a place for you on this journey. It’s about growing, learning, and supporting each other to become the best versions of ourselves — for our patients, our profession, and our personal fulfillment.
If you're in the area, join me on November 1 at IU Health Methodist Hospital to connect with fellow nurses, find your own rhythm, and reignite the passion that drives you. Together, we can lead with heart, ensure our patients receive the care they deserve, and shape the future of cardiovascular health — one heartbeat at a time.
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