Cardiology Nurse Practitioner (CNP)

Last Updated On Oct 8, 2024

Expert Verified: Jessica Guzzetti, MBA, BSN, RN, CCHP-RN

9 Min Read

What is a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner? (CNP)

A cardiology nurse practitioner — sometimes abbreviated as CNP — is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specializing in diagnosing, managing, and treating heart-related issues, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias. They work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, cardiology clinics, and private practices, collaborating with cardiologists to provide comprehensive care. Their responsibilities include conducting physical exams, interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and educating patients on lifestyle changes to improve heart health. CNPs also work to prevent these conditions of the heart by educating their patients and the community about healthy heart practices.

Overview of CNP Careers

Interested in becoming a cardiology nurse practitioner? Here are the basic requirements:

Educational Aspect	Details
Education Requirements	Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Certification	Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (RN-BC), Certified Critical Care Nurse Practitioner (CCRN-AP), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Licensing	Must hold both a valid RN and APRN license
Continuing Education	Required to maintain certification and stay current with medical advancements and best practices.

When you meet the basic requirements to become a nurse practitioner, here’s what you can expect on the job:

Work Aspect	Details
Role Description	APRNs who specialize in treating, preventing, diagnosing, and managing conditions of the heart and cardiovascular system.
Work Settings	Hospitals, cardiology clinics, private practices
Average Salary	$33,500 – $240,500
Job Outlook	Expected to grow 38% from 2022 to 2032, driven by an aging population and increasing demand for healthcare services.
Key Responsibilities	Diagnosing heart problems, providing critical and acute care, prescribing treatment and medications
Skills Required	Understanding and training of the cardiovascular system and common issues that affect it, critical thinking, ability to work under stressful conditions

Why Cardiology Nurse Practitioners So Important?

The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease, which means one of the most important fields of study in the medical field is cardiology. Cardiology nurse practitioners bridge the gap between patients and cardiologists, providing accessible, high-quality care that includes diagnosing heart conditions, prescribing treatments, and educating patients on lifestyle changes to prevent disease progression. CNPs also play a critical role in early detection and intervention, helping to reduce hospital readmissions and improve patient outcomes. Their ability to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care makes them invaluable in both acute and chronic cardiovascular care settings.

Becoming a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner

The first step to any nurse practitioner career is enrolling and completing a graduate degree program in nursing. To become a cardiology nurse practitioner, you must enroll in a graduate-level nurse practitioner degree program. While cardiology is not typically offered as an NP concentration, students can choose to enter Adult-Gerontology care or a related field and then gain experience in cardiology during clinical rotations. Upon graduation, you must become certified as a cardiology nurse practitioner and licensed as an APRN.

Find out more about becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

Step 1: Cardiology NP Education Requirements and Training

The educational process for becoming a CNP starts with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), followed by either a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or a doctorate of nursing practice (DNP). When working towards your master’s degree, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a clinical environment to get experience.

Educational Prerequisites

For most graduate-level NP degrees, you’ll need to have already completed a BSN degree; however, if you have an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a current RN license, you’ll likely be eligible to get your BSN degree in a much shorter amount of time through an RN to BSN program. If not, you’ll need to meet these requirements:

Minimum GPA: Usually 3.0 or higher.
Prerequisite Courses: Completion of courses like statistics, anatomy, and physiology.
Letters of Recommendation: From nursing supervisors or faculty.
Clinical Nursing Experience: 1-2 years of experience, often in a relevant field.

Another option for students with a nursing diploma or ADN is the RN to MSN bridge program. This accelerated program allows students to complete their BSN-level and MSN-level coursework in one streamlined degree program.

Step 2: CNP Examination, Licensure, and Certification

Once your graduate NP degree is completed, you must pass a national certification exam relevant to your specialty, such as the Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (RN-BC), Certified Critical Care Nurse Practitioner (CCRN-AP), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). These exams are administered by recognized organizations like the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). Cardiac nurse practitioners must also apply for state licensure in the state where they plan to practice. Continuing education and periodic re-certification are also required to maintain both state licensure and national certification.

Step 3: Finding a Job and Career Outlook

The final step in beginning your cardiology nurse practitioner career is looking for employment. Fortunately, this is one of the best times to look for a job as a nurse practitioner, as the medical field is desperately seeking applicants due to the recent nursing shortage. The BLS estimates a 45% growth for nurse practitioner positions within the next ten years, and this figure is only expected to grow.

Working Conditions

Working as a nurse practitioner within any type of specialization is stressful, but cardiology nurse practitioners are especially expected to be able to work under immense pressure, often required to respond to life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest or other emergencies. They often spend long hours on their feet, whether in fast-paced hospital settings like cardiac units and intensive care units (ICUs) or in outpatient clinics and private practices where they may also manage chronic heart conditions. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys working under pressure, working within a team or professions, making snap decisions, and ultimately, saving lives.

Cardiology Nurse Practitioner Responsibilities & Duties

Evaluate patients' medical histories, symptoms, and risk factors for heart disease.
Identify and treat conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease.
Utilize tools like EKGs, echocardiograms, stress tests, and blood tests to monitor heart health.
Prescribe medications, recommend lifestyle changes, and coordinate care plans tailored to each patient's needs.
Teach patients and their families about heart health, disease prevention, medication management, and rehabilitation.
Work closely with cardiologists, nurses, dietitians, and other specialists to provide holistic care.
Regularly review patient progress and modify treatment strategies as needed.
Depending on their training, CNPs may assist with or perform procedures such as inserting pacemakers or managing post-operative care.

Find out more about Cardiac Care/Cardiovascular Nursing, Cardiac Cath Lab Nursing, and Cardiovascular Operating Room (CVOR) Nursing.

Cardiology Nurse Practitioner Salary & Employment

Cardiology nurse practitioners can expect competitive salaries. According to ZipRecruiter, you will likely make somewhere between $100,000 – $200,000 per year, with the average landing at around $150,000. The exact figure will be dependent on experience, degree level, and where you are licensed. Here are some of the best-paying states for nurse practitioners, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

California
Nevada
Washington
New Jersey
Oregon

If you’re looking for the maximum amount of job opportunities, these states are known to employ the greatest number of nurse practitioners per capita: