How to Become a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner

Are you interested in cardiovascular health? Do you want to have a significant impact on the lives of your patients? If so, then becoming a cardiology nurse practitioner can provide you with a rewarding career that includes day-to-day responsibilities such as assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with heart conditions.

The cardiac nurse practitioner serves an essential role in hospitals, care centers, and private practices. These healthcare professionals work in a rapidly advancing field with cutting-edge technology and virtual diagnostic tools.

On this page, you’ll discover the steps you must take to become a cardiac NP. We’ll cover education, licensure, and certification. We’ll also share tips for finding your first job and the salary expectations for a cardiology NP. First, let’s discuss the typical duties and work environment you might expect.

The cardiology nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). In this position, the cardiac NP cares for patients with heart conditions. They perform in-depth physical examinations and orders and interpret diagnostic testing.

The cardiology NP also prescribes and monitors medications to treat heart conditions. In addition to traditional medical care, the nurse practitioner will counsel patients on lifestyle changes that have an impact on heart health. Since heart patients may have other medical conditions, the cardiac NP may also collaborate and consult with other healthcare practitioners to ensure the best possible care for their patients.

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, most cardiac NPs work in hospital inpatient units and outpatient clinics. The National Council on Aging reports that heart conditions comprise four of the top ten most common chronic health conditions in adults over 65 years.

Cardiac nurse practitioners must be adept at IV insertion, EKG interpretation, crisis management, communication, interpreting 2D echocardiograms, and understanding cardiac procedures. Clinical environments vary between employers. However, in a hospital setting, the cardiac NP may work under high-pressure situations and spend significant time in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Cardiac NPs may also work in the cardiac “step-down” unit or outpatient cardiac rehabilitation clinic.

The APRN role of a cardiac nurse practitioner requires a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) degree and specialized certification to practice. Most cardiology NPs start with their bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) degree and several years of experience in cardiovascular nursing. There are many benefits to becoming a cardiology nurse practitioner. The growing field offers an interesting work environment where you are tasked with solving complex medical problems. The financial and job satisfaction rewards can be very high.

Students interested in becoming a cardiac NP must first have a BSN to continue their education and be certified. Factors to consider when choosing a BSN, MSN, or DNP program include the location of the program and if there is an online option. Class size, class schedules, and the availability of the necessary program are also important factors.

Cardiology NPs must be licensed in the state where they practice and hold a certification for an NP from the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine. Certification provides a process for validation of a nurses’ education and professional expertise. It meets the needs of employers and assures consumers you have met current standards of practice.

Heart disease costs the U.S. $363 billion every year in healthcare costs and lost productivity. Cardiac nurse practitioners work on the front lines of care management and prevention. Nearly every 40 seconds of every day an American has a heart attack. Cardiac NPs must be adept at assessment and diagnosis of heart-related conditions, prescribing treatment plans, and managing chronic care.

Openings for cardiac nurse practitioners require several years of practice in cardiology, which many cardiology NPs get as an RN. Job openings can be found in online job postings, at hospitals and outpatient clinics, or through networking with other NPs and physicians.

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), an average annual cardiac nurse practitioner salary is $110,000 base salary and $115,000 with bonuses. According to the AANP survey, it is in the top 10 NP clinical focus areas.

Candidates must complete a BSN and have several years of experience in cardiac care nursing before completing a two-year MSN degree. This can take six years of school and two to three years of clinical experience.

A nurse may begin by completing a two-year ADN program. While working, a student can complete an RN-to-BSN program that generally takes one year. Accelerated bachelor’s programs may take even less time. The student can work in cardiology during the RN-to-BSN program and complete another one to two years in cardiology before completing a two-year MSN program. Using this schedule a student might become a cardiology nurse practitioner within five years.

New RN or BSN graduates may begin working in a cardiac step-down unit before moving into an ICU or cardiac ICU. Additional experience can be gained in an outpatient cardiology clinic.

RNs with their ADN must first complete an RN-to-BSN program while getting cardiac nursing care experience in the hospital. Once a student has completed a BSN program and has two to three years of cardiac experience, they may complete an accredited two-year MSN program. After graduation, a candidate must pass a national certification examination from the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine. Requirements for licensure may vary by state so candidates should check with their state board of nursing.