Cardiac Nurse Practitioner

zenman · Mar 22, 2005

Hi-
This is my first post and I'm not quite sure how this all works but I'm looking for some advice on becoming a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner. I've been out of nursing school for 2 years working with my BSN on an ICU stepdown unit and tele unit. I love the cardiac side of nursing and want to go back to school to get my Master's. I'm in the KC,KS/MO area. Where can I go to school to get a Master's and specialize in Cardiology??? I know KUMC and UMKC offer Master's in Nursing but do they specialize in Cardiac care?? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks. :)

The Acute Care NP is probably what you're looking for.

candyndel · Mar 23, 2005

You might also try an online MSN program where you set up your own clinicals to what you want to do with your degree. For example, get in an ANP program, and work with cardiologists for your 2-3 semesters that are optional. A nurse in my class did that. (You will have to work in primary care for 1 semester to sit for your boards.) Then you will be accustomed to the NP roles in cardiology practices (Coumadin clinics, stress/tilt table testing, rounding, DC rounds, etc etc etc) and you usually get hired through your clinicals...

OTE=can25rn]Hi-

This is my first post and I'm not quite sure how this all works but I'm looking for some advice on becoming a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner. I've been out of nursing school for 2 years working with my BSN on an ICU stepdown unit and tele unit. I love the cardiac side of nursing and want to go back to school to get my Master's. I'm in the KC,KS/MO area. Where can I go to school to get a Master's and specialize in Cardiology??? I know KUMC and UMKC offer Master's in Nursing but do they specialize in Cardiac care?? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks. :)

imastudent · Apr 8, 2005

Hi-
This is my first post and I'm not quite sure how this all works but I'm looking for some advice on becoming a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner. I've been out of nursing school for 2 years working with my BSN on an ICU stepdown unit and tele unit. I love the cardiac side of nursing and want to go back to school to get my Master's. I'm in the KC,KS/MO area. Where can I go to school to get a Master's and specialize in Cardiology??? I know KUMC and UMKC offer Master's in Nursing but do they specialize in Cardiac care?? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks. :)

what do you do in the cardiac care?

lalaxton · Apr 11, 2005

You might also try an online MSN program where you set up your own clinicals to what you want to do with your degree. For example, get in an ANP program, and work with cardiologists for your 2-3 semesters that are optional. A nurse in my class did that. (You will have to work in primary care for 1 semester to sit for your boards.) Then you will be accustomed to the NP roles in cardiology practices (Coumadin clinics, stress/tilt table testing, rounding, DC rounds, etc etc etc) and you usually get hired through your clinicals...
I actually have not heard that you need to work in primary care for any period of time before writing your boards. I have also recently spoken to ANCC about recertifying as an FNP because almost all of my NP experience has been in Acute Care (Cardiology). They will not advertise it but they will recertify FNP's who have not had mostly 'primary care' hours. I know of other FNP's who work in acute care and were able to recertify without having to rewrite the exam.
It does help to do clinicals with the people you would like to work with eventually but life doesnt always work that way. I was hired in my first job with a group of hospitalists primarily because of my RN ICU experience and not because I did any acute care clinical time. Most NP programs let you have flexibility as to where you do your clinicals so it is recommended that if you have an interest in a particular specialty you do your clinicals there. Much depends though on your program.

sunflower99 · Mar 21, 2008

I am currently in my second semester at Vanderbilt University's Adult Nurse Practitioner Program with a subspecialty in Cardiovascular disease management and prevention. It is a distance program which only requires you to be in class 1 week per month for 1 year, the rest of the time you are doing on-line coursework. The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing was rated #19 in the county in 2007. It is located in Nashville, TN. Their website is www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/ . If you are interested, they hold open houses twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the fall. I hope this helps. Good luck in your endeavors!

:nurse:

RuNnergirl27 · Apr 15, 2008

To the NP student at Vandy--what are your career goals after graduation? What clinical role do you see for yourself? I'm interested in the same field. Thanks! :)

ANPFNPGNP · Jun 7, 2008

I am currently in my second semester at Vanderbilt University's Adult Nurse Practitioner Program with a subspecialty in Cardiovascular disease management and prevention. It is a distance program which only requires you to be in class 1 week per month for 1 year, the rest of the time you are doing on-line coursework. The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing was rated #19 in the county in 2007. It is located in Nashville, TN. Their website is www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/ . If you are interested, they hold open houses twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the fall. I hope this helps. Good luck in your endeavors!

I graduated from the ANP/GNP program in August 2005. I recently completed a FNP certification, b/c I needed to expand my scope of practice.

Are you planning on working for a cardiologist when you graduate? I could have saved a ton of money by doing an online FNP program through the local college, but thank GOD I went to Vanderbilt. Physicians know that it's one of the top schools in the nation and that Vandy degree has landed me every job I've applied for. So, the name on your diploma DOES make a difference.

Good Luck!

MissBehavin · Feb 4, 2009

Anyone do the Cardiothoracic Surgery subspecialty ACNP at Vandy? or the trauma subspecialty?