CVICU/Cardiac ICU NPs. Tell me everything!

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Specializes in CVICU.

Hey all, I'm currently a CVICU RN. I love my job, I absolutely love what I do, and want to pursue my ACNP and continue working in CV. I'm looking for advice and tips on the best way to get me there, all the way from what types of things to look for in choosing Master programs, to things I can keep doing now as an RN, to any advice - any at all.

From the research I've done so far, I was thinking of doing a hybrid program, part-time. One that I can do most of my work online, but go to campus for the Hands-On and intensive portions. I feel like a good program should have hands on skills. I've seen that there are postgraduate certificates in cardiology, intensive care, critical care offered. I've also seen a handful of NP cardiac care fellowships, but I'm sure those are quite competitive.

Any and all information is appreciated.

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Hello!

I am currently a practicing AGACNP that works in cardiac surgery so I can fill you in a bit. Because of the type of NP I wanted to be in ended up going through a great program that was really more in class than online. We had advanced science classes with the CRNAs, great classes each week, great simulation, and great clinicals. It was challenging but definitely worth it and I feel it prepared me for the job I have now. As I said above i currently work in cardiac surgery and my responsibilities include ICU management of patients, first assisting in the OR (learned EVH), seeing consults, and seeing patients in clinic. If this sounds like something you want to do then ACNP is definitely the way to go, just really look at the program that you would be going to. One student I precepted went through a strictly online program, when we started talking certain things, I could tell she had no clue and she had about a semester and half left before she graduated so I threw a bunch of stuff at her to study before boards. I know this is very basic, so please let me know if you have anymore detailed questions.

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Specializes in CVICU.

ElizNP,

Thank you so much for your reply. CVICU is so specialized it's hard to find answers. I have a few questions.

What school did you go to? I agree that I'm uncomfortable with the idea of a completely online programs. I would at least like a hybrid program where I can practice Hands-On, instead of just being a theory practitioner.

I am in the process of looking at accredited programs. I'm a fan of Duke and Vanderbilt's, because they're very reputable, and I used to work for Vanderbilt so I know that they're high-quality, but I'm not sure it's worth the money. What do you think? I've been told that my experience and CV will be more valuable than the school I go to.

At this point I have about two years of CV experience, depending on when I'm accepted to school, I estimate I'll graduate with five to six years of CV experience. Do you have any tips for me in between now and graduation to really expand my skills? I'm studying for my CSC and soon CMC. Already have my CCRN.

Any and all you can tell me would be so appreciated! ???

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I went to Goldfarb at Barnes Jewish in St. Louis and it was great. For the theory classes it was online but the other classes (pertaining to being an actual practicing NP) we’re in class once a week. Both Duke and Vanderbilt’s programs look great and seem to be like the one I went to. When it comes to ACNP, I disagree and I think that the school is just as important as the CV. My instructors worked in the ICUs at Barnes Jewish hospital (and was required to do all of my clinicals there) so they wanted us to be “badasses in the ICU.” It was intense and hard but definitely worth it, I came out of school feeling like I was definitely prepared for any ICU position.

I would say between now and graduation just continue to work and maintain your critical thinking skills. If you have the opportunity to float to other ICUs, I would, just to get critical care experience with another patient population. Sometimes Cardiac surgery patients have general surgery or medical issues as well so it would be nice to be able to recognize those.

I think studying for your CSC is great. I really not think your CMC will help a whole lot but it wouldn’t hurt you if you had it.

I think the main thing I really want to emphasize is that schools are a BIG FACTOR with ACNP. If you find a school where there’s a lot of hands on and minimal online, that’s going to be worth considering and spending money on. My job requires a lot of hands on skill set and critical thinking that I feel you just can’t get appropriately online.

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Drexel University's ACNP is hybrid - classes are synchronous which means you are at home, but they are scheduled and the professor lectures in real time and you can ask questions in real time. You also have to go to campus for certain lectures, simulations, standardized patient experiences (which are real medical actors that are given a scenario and you go in and do a H&P), hands on skills, etc. You'll get hands on training in bedside ultrasound, intubation, central line insertion, arterial line insertion, chest tube insertion, etc. You have a hospitalist rotation, medicine specialty rotation, surgical specialty, ICU rotation and an elective. You could do the surgery rotation with CT surgery, and the ICU rotation and elective in CVICU and be well prepared.

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Specializes in ICU.

Hi Dodongo,

Can you please DM to give me more info regarding Drexel’s program? I have some questions.

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