Written By: Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are critical in today’s healthcare landscape, especially within specialized fields. While many programs offer broad Advanced Practice Provider (APP) training like Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, the demand for specialized expertise is rising. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs With An Emphasis In Cardiology are emerging to meet this need, providing focused training for NPs who want to manage complex cardiac conditions in acute settings.
If you’re an acute care nurse practitioner seeking a challenging and impactful career focused on critical heart health, this article is for you. We will explore top acute care nurse practitioner programs with a cardiology emphasis for 2025, discussing what these specialized programs offer, their curriculum, and career prospects.
Top 5 Benefits of Acute Care Cardiology Nurse Practitioner Programs
Choosing to specialize, particularly in a demanding field like cardiology within acute care, demonstrates a profound commitment to patient well-being and specialized knowledge. Acute care cardiology nurse practitioner programs are designed to equip you with the advanced skills and expertise necessary to excel in this critical area. Here are key benefits:
1. Expert Guidance in Acute Cardiac Care:
Acute care cardiology NP programs provide invaluable mentorship from seasoned professionals who are experts in managing critical cardiac conditions. Whether through fellowships, residencies, or specialized certificate programs, you’ll learn from leading cardiac specialists. This focused learning ensures you are exceptionally prepared to handle complex acute cardiac cases and provide optimal patient care in high-pressure settings.
2. Become a Specialist in Critical Cardiac Health:
Cardiac health is fundamental to overall well-being, and compromised cardiac function can have severe systemic consequences, especially in acute situations. Acute care cardiology nurse practitioners are vital members of healthcare teams, delivering specialized care to patients in critical conditions. These programs empower APRNs to become specialists, directly impacting patient outcomes in the most critical moments of cardiac illness.
3. Enhanced Job Security in a High-Demand Specialty:
Specializing in acute care cardiology positions you as an expert in a high-demand area. Expertise in critical cardiac care significantly increases your marketability, offering greater job security. Hospitals and acute care facilities prioritize hiring providers with specialized skills to manage complex cardiac patients, making your expertise highly sought after and securing long-term career prospects.
4. Increased Earning Potential Reflecting Specialized Skills:
The role of an acute care cardiology nurse practitioner carries significant responsibility, especially in managing patients with acute and life-threatening conditions. Employers recognize the advanced skills and critical nature of this specialty and compensate cardiology NPs accordingly. Specialization in acute care cardiology can lead to a higher income, reflecting the value of your expertise in critical settings.
5. Make a Profound Difference in Critical Cardiac Care:
Acute care cardiology nurse practitioner programs prepare you to play a pivotal role in patients’ lives during their most vulnerable moments. Your expertise in managing acute cardiac conditions can significantly impact a patient’s recovery, quality of life, and survival. By specializing in this field, you directly contribute to saving lives and improving outcomes for patients facing critical cardiac events.
Program Lengths in Acute Care Cardiology NP Programs
Acute care cardiology nurse practitioner programs vary in length depending on the program type, such as certificate, fellowship, or residency. Here are examples from institutions offering pathways relevant to acute care cardiology specialization:
• Duke University
For MSN students at Duke, adding the cardiology specialty certificate can be integrated into their master’s program. For APRNs seeking post-graduate specialization, the certificate requires eight credit hours in cardiovascular specialty courses. This can be completed in approximately twelve months, including coursework and 168 hours of cardiovascular synthesis, offering a relatively quick route to specialized knowledge applicable to acute care settings.
• The University of Louisiana at Lafayette:
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) offers a graduate certificate in cardiovascular nursing that consists of twelve credit hours. Designed for completion in six months, this program provides a concentrated period of study in cardiovascular nursing, valuable for acute care NPs wanting to deepen their cardiology knowledge rapidly.
• Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science
The Mayo Clinic offers a cardiology nurse practitioner fellowship, a twelve-month program admitting two fellows annually. This intensive fellowship includes a minimum of 300 classroom hours and 1,700 supervised clinical hours. The extensive clinical component is particularly beneficial for acute care NPs seeking hands-on experience in managing complex cardiology cases within a renowned medical center.
Costs of Acute Care Cardiology Nurse Practitioner Programs
The cost of acute care cardiology NP programs varies. Here are examples illustrating potential costs:
• At the University of South Alabama, students in their graduate nursing program can add a cardiovascular subspecialty. This is also available as a post-graduate certificate. The cardiology subspecialty comprises eight credit hours, each costing $594. The estimated total cost for this cardiovascular nurse practitioner program or post-graduate certificate is $4,752. This represents a relatively affordable option for specialization.
• The University of Washington Department of Surgery provides an Advanced Cardiology Fellowship aimed at nurse practitioners and physician assistants seeking to work across cardiovascular specialties and subspecialties. This twelve-month fellowship is an investment in advanced training, though specific tuition costs are program-dependent and should be verified with the university.
Curriculum in Acute Care Cardiology Nurse Practitioner Programs
• Cardiac care, especially in acute settings, is highly specialized and complex. Curricula for acute care cardiology nurse practitioner programs are designed to provide in-depth knowledge and extensive clinical experiences. While specific coursework may differ, the overarching goal is to train APRNs to deliver exceptional care to patients with critical cardiac conditions, improving heart health outcomes.
• These programs may be structured as post-graduate certificates, fellowships, or residencies. Certificate programs are generally shorter with focused coursework, while fellowships and residencies offer more extended training, often lasting one to two years with a greater emphasis on clinical immersion, crucial for acute care cardiology. Examples of curriculum components from leading programs include:
• Emory University:
Emory’s Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery offers the Emory Cardiothoracic Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship, a formal twelve-month training program. It aims to develop certified APPs capable of providing high-quality surgical and clinical care for cardiothoracic surgery patients. The curriculum blends live and web-based learning, with a strong focus on acute and critical care aspects of cardiothoracic conditions.
| Didactic Coursework Includes: | Clinical Focus Includes: |
|---|---|
| Cardiac and Pulmonary Anatomy & Physiology | Cardiac Surgery |
| Coronary Artery Disease | Thoracic Surgery |
| Valvular Heart Disease | Aortic Surgery |
| Heart Failure & Cardiomyopathy | Structural Heart |
| Cardiopulmonary Bypass & Cardiac Perfusion | Cardiac & Pulmonary Transplant |
| Pulmonary Disease & Malignancy | Cardiac Perfusion |
| Acid-Base Balance | Critical Care Management |
• Piedmont Healthcare,
Piedmont Heart offers a Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in Cardiovascular Critical Care. This program is explicitly designed to cover all facets of cardiovascular critical care. Fellows collaborate with cardiovascular specialists, developing expertise in managing patients with advanced cardiovascular pathophysiology. The fellowship is heavily clinical (85%), with 15% didactic curriculum, ensuring comprehensive exposure to acute cardiac scenarios.
Coursework and clinical rotations cover:
◦ Cardiogenic shock
◦ Cardiac Arrhythmias
◦ Advanced Percutaneous Therapies (including mechanical circulatory support)
◦ Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
◦ Valve Repairs/Replacements
◦ Left Ventricular Assist Device
◦ Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Admission Requirements for Acute Care Cardiology NP Programs
• Admission criteria for acute care cardiology NP fellowships, residencies, and post-graduate certificates are set by the offering institution. While specific requirements may vary, common minimum criteria generally include:
◦ Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree
◦ Current NP licensure and certification in relevant roles (often Acute Care NP)
◦ Official transcripts from graduate coursework
◦ Letters of professional reference (typically two to three)
◦ Resume or curriculum vitae
Program-specific admission requirements for some programs mentioned include:
• University of Washington Department of Surgery:
Applicants should be eligible for APRN licensure and demonstrate strong interpersonal, critical thinking, and leadership abilities. Experience in cardiovascular care, including assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, and management of cardiovascular diseases, is essential. A background in acute care settings is highly beneficial for candidates applying to this fellowship, given its intensive clinical focus.
• The University of Louisiana at Lafayette:
The Graduate Certificate in Cardiovascular Nursing at ULL requires applicants to be enrolled in or have completed an MSN or DNP program and to hold NP licensure and certification. Eligible certifications include Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontology NP, or Acute Care NP. For those aiming for acute care cardiology, having an Acute Care NP certification is particularly relevant, though other NP backgrounds can also be valuable.
TOP ACUTE CARE CARDIOLOGY NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS FOR 2025
(These Certificates, Fellowships, and Residency Programs are excellent options for acute care NPs seeking cardiology specialization.)
1. Duke University – Durham, NC
Program Type:
Certificate – Cardiology Specialty (integrable with MSN, suitable for acute care NPs)
2. University of Louisiana at Lafayette – Lafayette, LA
Program Type:
Graduate Certificate – Cardiovascular Nursing (accessible to Acute Care NPs)
3. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science – Rochester, MN
Program Type:
Cardiology Nurse Practitioner Fellowship (intensive clinical training, ideal for acute care specialization)
4. University of South Alabama – Mobile, AL
Program Type:
Cardiovascular Subspecialty (can enhance acute care NP skills in cardiology)
5. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center – Columbus, OH
Program Type:
Postgraduate Fellowship for Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants (offers advanced training relevant to acute cardiac care)
6. Emory University – Atlanta, GA
Program Type:
Fellowship – Cardiothoracic Advanced Practice Provider (strong focus on surgical and critical cardiac care)
7. Piedmont Healthcare – Atlanta, GA
Program Type:
Piedmont Heart Physician Assistant / Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in Cardiovascular Critical Care (explicitly focused on cardiovascular critical care)
8. University of Washington Department of Surgery – Seattle, WA
Program Type:
Fellowship – Cardiovascular Advanced Practice Provider (prepares for complex cardiovascular management in various settings, including acute care)
9. University of South Florida – Tampa, FL
Program Type:
Fellowship (verify specific cardiology focus and acute care relevance with program details)
Career Opportunities for Acute Care Cardiology Nurse Practitioners
Acute care cardiology nurse practitioners are equipped for diverse and critical roles following their specialized training:
• Cardiac Intensive Care Units (CICUs):
CICUs are primary settings for acute care cardiology NPs. Here, they manage patients with severe and unstable cardiac conditions requiring constant monitoring and intensive interventions. Their expertise is crucial in these high-acuity environments.
• Emergency Departments:
Emergency rooms frequently encounter patients with acute cardiac events. Acute care cardiology NPs are essential in these settings, providing rapid assessment, diagnosis, and initial management of cardiac emergencies.
• Cardiology Clinics (Acute/Urgent Care Focused):
While some cardiology clinics handle routine care, others specialize in urgent cardiac issues. Acute care cardiology NPs can play a key role in clinics focused on rapid evaluation and management of acute or worsening cardiac symptoms.
• Cardiac Catheterization Labs and Electrophysiology Labs:
In these specialized settings, acute care cardiology NPs assist in and manage patient care during and after invasive cardiac procedures. Their acute care skills are vital in managing potential complications and ensuring patient stability in these procedural areas.
• Academia (with Acute Care Cardiology Focus):
Experienced acute care cardiology NPs are valuable in nursing education, particularly in acute and critical care programs. They can educate the next generation of nurses and NPs, integrating their specialized cardiology knowledge into acute care curricula.
Earning Potential for Acute Care Cardiology Nurse Practitioners
Specialization in acute care cardiology enhances earning potential. Reflecting the high demand and critical skills required, cardiology nurse practitioners, especially those in acute care, are among the top earners in the NP profession. The average annual salary is approximately $136,846, equating to around $65.79 per hour or $11,400 per month. Experienced acute care cardiology NPs, particularly those in high-demand locations or critical care settings, may negotiate even higher salaries.
| Per Hour | $65.79 |
|---|---|
| Per Month | $11,400 |
| Per Year | $136,846 |
| (Source: Ziprecruiter.com) |
Conclusion
For acute care nurse practitioners seeking to join an elite group of professionals and make a significant impact in healthcare, specializing in cardiology is an exceptional path. Becoming an acute care cardiology NP offers enhanced earning potential, job security, and, most importantly, the opportunity to profoundly influence patient outcomes during critical cardiac events. If you are driven to excel in acute cardiac care, exploring the acute care cardiology nurse practitioner programs highlighted here is an excellent starting point for your advanced practice journey.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT
Do acute care cardiology nurse practitioner programs offer subspecialties?
Yes, some acute care cardiology NP programs provide subspecialization tracks. Examples include Advanced Heart Failure, Interventional Cardiology, and Cardiac Critical Care, allowing for even more focused expertise within acute cardiac management.
What distinguishes a cardiology nurse practitioner post-graduate certificate, residency, and fellowship, particularly for acute care NPs?
Post-graduate certificates are typically shorter, offering focused coursework to enhance cardiology knowledge relevant to acute care. Residencies concentrate on refining clinical skills, particularly valuable for acute care NPs transitioning into cardiology. Fellowships, especially in acute care cardiology, provide in-depth subspecialty training, often with salary and benefits, and are highly focused on developing advanced expertise in critical cardiac care management.
Is a cardiology nurse practitioner program mandatory for acute care NPs aiming to specialize in cardiac care?
While not strictly mandatory, completing an acute care cardiology NP program or a cardiology-focused post-graduate program is highly recommended for acute care NPs aiming for a specialized career in cardiac care. These programs offer targeted education and clinical experiences essential for providing optimal care to patients with complex and critical cardiac conditions, significantly enhancing career prospects and expertise in this demanding field.
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has contributed to nursing program curriculum development and has taught at both community college and university levels. Passionate about nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach, assisting nursing graduates across the United States in their NCLEX preparation.
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