Hello and welcome to an educational and enlightening piece that discusses all you need to know about Cardiology Nurse Practitioners!
This article shall discuss the role and certifications of Cardiology Nurse Practitioners, the various programs available, and how to become a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner.
After reading this piece, you will understand the steps to becoming a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner, the program costs and duration, and more.
This article shall discuss the following:
- Cardiology Nurse Practitioner – An Overview
- Scope of Practice
- Education and Licensing
- Cardiology Nurse Practitioner Certifications
- Future Prospects of Cardiology Nurse Practitioners
Let’s continue!
Cardiology Nurse Practitioner – An Overview
Statistics show that coronary heart disease was responsible for nearly 13 percent of deaths last year, accounting for 365,744 deaths.
Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioners must care for the patients and their families suffering from heart attacks, which occur approximately every 39 seconds in the United States.
Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioners are specialized Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) responsible for providing comprehensive treatment to patients diagnosed with Cardiovascular diseases.
Patients with cardiac abnormalities that are structural or electrical and those with blood vessel ailments and heart disease are cared for by these professionals.
Often, they work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, such as Physicians, to develop treatment plans for these patients.
Scope of Practice
Depending on the clinical context in which they practice Medicine, Cardiac NPs have a variety of responsibilities at their places of employment.
They may provide follow-up care to individuals who have been diagnosed with a persistent heart condition.
Professionals who work for privately-owned Cardiology offices are permitted to perform stress testing, administer medications, and educate patients on the need to make necessary lifestyle improvements.
An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Cardiology Nurse Practitioner establishes treatment regimens and monitors patients initially not diagnosed with cardiac symptoms.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who work in cardiac hospitals are frequently the go-betweens between medical professionals, patients, and their families.
The following are examples of the duties that a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner may perform daily:
- Investigating the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases
- Identifying patients’ cardiovascular disease risks
- Assisting with cardiac catheterization
- Assisting patients who require ECMO
- Stress tests to conduct and interpret
- Cardiovascular research
- Assessing, implementing, and analyzing patient care plans with the help of healthcare team members
- Consultation with cardiac patients and advice on possible lifestyle modifications
- Creating treatment strategies
- Central venous and arterial catheter insertion
- Monitoring cardiac patients after surgery
- Diagnostic and laboratory tests ordering and interpretation.
- Getting patients ready for surgery, procedures, and the post-operative care plan
- Medication prescriptions
Education and Licensing
Before practicing as a Cardiology Nurse practitioner, you must pass two key educational criteria.
Admission to a graduate-level Nurse Practitioner (NP) Program requires the candidate to hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN).
The candidate must complete an MSN or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program.
The minimum in terms of education is a two-year Master of Science in Nursing Degree.
To continue their studies and get certified as a Cardiology Nurse practitioner (NP), students must first earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution.
The skills and training necessary to succeed in their careers are provided by an advanced degree (e.g., MSN) for Cardiac Nurse Practitioners (NPs).
Graduates may work as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), specializing in delivering Cardiac Care to patients.
Cardiology Nurse Practitioners must hold a valid license in their practice.
Nurse certification is a process that enables the verification of a Nurse’s educational history and professional ability.
In addition to meeting the obligations of employers, it provides consumers with the assurance that they have followed current standards of practice.
Workplace Environment
Cardiology Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who work in cardiac units or private practices can work standard workday hours.
To fulfill patient needs, clinical units at hospitals are always open for Healthcare Services.
A Cardiology NP may work in various healthcare Sectors, including a Cardiology Unit, or be part of the Cardiology team.
Every care setting and function may be divergent, but the essential tasks of Cardiac Nurse Practitioners will be about the same across the board.
Cardiology Nurse Practitioners (NPs) can work in the following healthcare settings:
- Inpatient and outpatient hospitals
- Private practices
- Home health care services
- Emergency rooms
- Nursing care facilities
Cardiology Nurse Practitioner Programs
The Cardiovascular specialty allows you to advance your clinical skills and become an experienced Physician in treating people suffering from Cardiovascular disease.
The Cardiology Nurse Programs integrate topics from the American College of Cardiology Core Curriculum and the most up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge in Cardiovascular Medicine.
On-campus intensives allow you to interact with Cardiovascular Doctors and learn about novel research and creative practice techniques and strategies.
Students participate in clinical practice under the supervision of experienced Clinicians in Cardiovascular Medicine.
Some prestigious programs currently accessible are the following:
Duke University
In the Cardiovascular specialization, you will have the opportunity to enhance your clinical abilities and get valuable experience in treating persons suffering from Cardiovascular illness.
In addition to themes from the American College of Cardiology Core Curriculum, the online training incorporates some current evidence-based knowledge in Cardiovascular Medicine.
Two of the many benefits of participating in on-campus intensives are interacting with Cardiovascular Specialists and learning cutting-edge research and innovative practices.
The clinical practice experience you will get as a student will be under the supervision of an experienced Clinician in Cardiovascular Medicine.
You will be prepared to practice in inpatient and outpatient Cardiovascular settings throughout the country based on your studies.
The information and abilities gained through specialist courses in Cardiovascular Care equip students with the skills and understanding necessary to demonstrate their proficiency in the sector.
Complete the requirements of this degree.
You will be qualified for general Cardiology and Electrophysiology, Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation, and Vascular and Lipid Specialties.
Mayo Clinic College
At the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in Arizona, a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner Fellowship is hard to get and only takes two new students each year.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who have graduated from a well-known Nursing School and earned national board certification can apply.
University of Louisiana
It takes six months to earn a Graduate Certificate in Cardiovascular Nursing, which comprises twelve credit hours of online study.
The admissions procedure is only held once a year, with classes beginning in March.
Students enrolled in or who have completed an MSN or DNP program can apply.
In addition, applicants must be licensed and certified as Nurse Practitioners in the state they wish to practice.
To be eligible to apply, Nurse Practitioners must be board certified in one of the following population foci: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
University of Washington
Candidates must possess an APRN license and possess good interpersonal skills, critical thinking ability, and leadership qualities for admission into the program.
Cardiology Nurse Practitioner Certifications
The Cardiac Nurse Certification may allow you to go further in your field.
Moreover, they may assist you in establishing a more in-depth understanding of the subject matter, which will allow you to deliver better Patient Care.
If you wish to become certified, you can choose from several options:
Certification | Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (RN-BC) | Cardiac Nurse Practitioners Level IV (CVNP-BC) | Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) | Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC) |
Certifying Body | American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) | American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCM) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) |
RN license | Required | Required | Required (or APRN License) | Required (or APRN License) |
Work Experience | 2 years | 2 years | ||
Clinical Practice | >= 2,000 hours | Extensive Cardiology Knowledge | 1,750 hours (direct care) or 2,000 hours (acute care) | 1,750 hours (direct care) or 2,000 hours (acute care) |
Continuing Education | >= 30 hours | Not specified | ||
Certification Validity | 5 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years |
Certification Fee |
$395 (Non-ANCC) $295 (ANA) $340 (SVN) $340 (PCNA) | $429.95 |
$135 (AACN members) $215 (Non-AACN) |
$135 (AACN members) $225 (Non-AACN) |
Certification Renewal |
$350 (Non-ANCC) $250 (ANA) $295 (SVN) $295 (PCNA) |
$125 (One-time) $150 (Late) |
CE option: $75 (AACN Members) $130 (Non-AACN) Exam option: $110 (AACN Members) $155 (Non-AACN) |
CE option: $75 (AACN Members) $130 (Non-AACN) Exam option: $110 (AACN Members) $155 (Non-AACN) |
Future Prospects of Cardiology Nurse Practitioners
Cardiovascular/Cardiology Nurse Practitioners assist patients to live longer, better lives daily by saving, extending, and enhancing the conditions that they are in.
It is a difficult industry that might result in extraordinarily strong monetary compensation and job happiness incentives.
The need for Cardiac Nurse Practitioners is expected to continue to expand in the foreseeable future.
Because Cardiac disease is becoming more frequent in the United States, Nurse Practitioners will be in more demand to provide care for those suffering from the disease in the future.
Cardiology NPs can assist in addressing the gap between Cardiologists and their patients by providing comprehensive care to those with complex heart problems that require significant attention.
How to become a Cardiology Nurse practitioner
The training and education required to become a Cardiology NP are considerable and are comparable to those required for most other Nursing specialties.
Becoming a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner also requires extensive training and education.
Before specializing in Cardiac Care, most Cardiology Nurse Practitioners first earn their licensure as Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNP).
First and foremost, aspiring Cardiac Nurse Practitioners must get a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which authorizes them to operate as licensed Registered Nurse.
Start with a BSN Degree if you have no prior nursing education or experience; it will take three to four years to accomplish a BSN Degree.
For those who already have a Registered Nursing license, you may apply for admission to an RN-to-BSN Program.
They are extremely convenient, and depending on the curriculum, they can be completed in as little as 20 months or as long as two years.
The next step on the road to becoming a certified Nurse Practitioner is to get your Nursing certification.
This step necessitates passing the NCLEX-RN examination (National Council Licensure Examination).
After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, you will begin working as a Registered Nurse in your state or territory (RN).
Before becoming certified, a full-time CNP must accrue 2,000 hours of Registered Nurse experience (RN) at a Cardiac Nursing facility and 30 hours of continuing education in Cardiac Nursing within three years.
Cardiology Nurses can earn certification by completing any of the certification options listed above.
Conclusion
In the United States, Cardiology is growing rapidly, and demand is increasing as the population in the United States becomes older.
Several factors influence Cardiovascular Health, including lifestyle factors, genetics, and the environment; working as a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner will put your coaching abilities to excellent use.
Being a Cardiology NP may be the satisfying career path you’ve been looking for if you appreciate counseling and working with patients and their families through challenging life phases.
FAQs
Is it worth becoming a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner?
The work of a Cardiology NP is tiring due to the frequent exposure to critically ill patients. However, a saved life is professionally and monetarily gratifying employment. The median compensation for a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner is high, and the need for these professionals is considerably high.
What are the primary functions of a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner?
A Cardiology Nurse practitioner gives Patient Care and support to patients in the Cardiovascular unit of a hospital. They are in charge of lab test requests, results evaluation, and collaborating with the Physician to develop and implement treatment plans and procedures for patients with heart-related diseases.
What is the duration of becoming a Cardiology Nurse?
If you decide to pursue certification, it is possible to become a Cardiac Nurse in as little as four years. Multiple factors influence this decision, including whether you pursue a two-year ADN or a four-year BSN Program and enroll in any program full- or part-time.
What is Pediatric Cardiology?
Pediatric Cardiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating children with cardiac disorders from birth until they reach maturity. Your patients will be children and infants with complex diagnostic problems, and you will work in collaboration with other professionals to provide them with the best possible care.
What are the essential skills for a CNP?
Cardiology Nurse Practitioners must possess some advanced medical, interpersonal, and administrative skill sets to succeed in their Nursing career. In addition to giving correct treatment to patients suffering from heart ailments or related symptoms, Cardiology Nurse Practitioners can rely on these qualities to assist them.