Typically, registered nurses are the entry-level position for cardiac care settings such as rehab centers, cardiologists’ offices and hospital cardiac care units. You can become an RN with a two-year associate degree, a four-year bachelor’s or a diploma from a nursing program. After that, you are eligible for Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification, a two-day course. This is available from many institutions, such as the University of California, Los Angeles, Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska, and Florida’s Daytona State College. The course uses lectures and hands-on experiences to teach RNs heart-related topics such as acute care, treatment options and pharmacology.
Hospitals and medical centers employ clinical nurse specialists for their cardiac units. These nurses may work with patients, conduct research or offer educational programs for other professionals. Many schools of nursing offer master’s programs in CNS for RNs with bachelor’s degrees. Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore, Maryland, has online and campus-based options for adult, geriatric and pediatric critical care. The curriculum includes advanced courses in health assessment and pharmacology, as well as a clinic-based practicum. Located in Columbus, the Ohio State University College of Nursing offers an adult CNS option, with advanced nursing courses such as leadership, scientific thought, disease prevention and quality improvement.
Nurse practitioners who work in community health care or surgical settings can specialize in cardiac care. Duke University’s School of Nursing in Durham, North Carolina, has two nurse practitioner options with concentrations in cardiology: a master’s degree program and a post-master’s certification. In addition to basic nurse practitioner courses, such as research methods and statistics, students take classes in managing patients with cardiovascular disease. They also have a residency in adult cardiovascular conditions. Omaha, Nebraska, is home to the Creighton College School of Nursing. This master’s-level nurse practitioner degree program has several alternatives, including a cardiology focus. Some courses center on cardiac care, such as cardiovascular disease-risk assessment, risk reduction, and rehabilitation and electrocardiography for advanced nursing practice.
Doctoral programs in nursing can concentrate on practice or research in cardiology. The College of Nursing at the University of South Alabama in Mobile offers a Doctor of Practical Nursing program for students with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Several schedules are available, ranging from eight to 12 semesters. Advanced cardiology nursing courses include diagnosis and management of acute or complex cardiovascular disorders. Post-master’s programs with a cardiovascular subspecialty are also available. The University of California, San Francisco, has a Doctor of Philosophy program in nursing. This is open to those with bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Early classes focus on both nursing science and research. As the program progresses, the focus shifts to research and independent studies in areas of students’ interest, such as cardiology.