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Discussion

Cardiac nurse practitioner program

Hello,

I need to give you a little back ground about myself to help answer this question. In 2004 I graduated with a BS degree in liberal arts. After graduation I began working in sales until I was laid off. So at that time I decided to go back to school for an associated degree in nursing which I completed in May of 2011 and passed my boards. I am currently working at a local hospital on a progressive cardiac unit. I have been think about going back to school to become a nurse practitioner specializing in cardiac. My question is do I have to complete a BSN program and then go for my nurse practitioner degree or could I just enter into a nurse practitioner program. Plus is there any universities that specialize in cardiac if so is there any in the Pittsburgh Pa area or online. I needed some advice on my options and the best and quicks way to do it.

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    • Experts

    Moving to pre-NP forum. Good luck in school.

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    Some schools require a BSN even if you already have a BA/BS and your RN license. Some realize that you've already had all that same education altogether and consider it equivalent. Your only choice is really to call the schools in your area and ask.

    I went through a semi-direct-entry program that granted a certificate, not a degree, after getting a BA and am continuing at the same school for my MSN, so no issues. A friend that did the program with me enrolled at one school for her NP program, then tried to transfer to another but found they only accepted BSN. This after she was already enrolled in an MSN program. Absurd, but true. Check around and see what schools are reasonable.

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    • Author

    Thank you both for taking the time to reply. I'll check around and see which school has the best program to fit my needs.

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    You could do it at Vanderbilt, but that's definitely not local for you! They offer an Adult NP with concentration in cardiovascular health and disease prevention.

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    • Guides

    You don't have to look any further...U Pitt right in your neck of the woods has well respected graduate programs in nursing including NP tracks with a Cardiovascular focus. However, I don't know if they have an ADN-MSN bridge or they will give you credit for having already completed a bachelor's degree in another field.

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    • Guides

    You can't really specialize because you have to take the general ACNP certification exam which is general. However some schools have focused tracks, and you can choose to do your clinical rotations in area that interest you. You may be surprised though - I was totally cardiac going in, working in cardiac for last 15 years... and now that I'm just about done with NP school, my interests have shifted and I am considering applying for a non-cardiac job.

    Pitt's program is well-regarded, although expensive and somewhat disorganized at times. I have heard good things from friends at Duquesne (and they have a 30% tuition discount if you work for UPMC).

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