Program Overview

Cardiology Specialty Program

The Cardiology Specialty Program at Duke University School of Nursing is designed to equip advanced practitioners with expert knowledge in the care of individuals with cardiovascular disease issues. This comprehensive program features a distinct combination of online courses and intensive on-campus experiences, preparing students to meet the high standards of the American College of Cardiology Core Curriculum for cardiac nurses.

Program Overview

The program is tailored for current nurse practitioner students or practicing nurse practitioners who wish to specialize in cardiology. Upon completion, graduates can find employment as nursing cardiology specialists with marketable skills in general cardiology, electrophysiology, heart failure, cardiac transplant, and vascular and lipid specialties.

Program Highlights

• Flexible course schedule: Online cardiology nursing courses allow students to further their education around other commitments.
• Esteemed faculty: World-class heart and vascular faculty experts provide guidance and mentorship.
• Practical hands-on training: A minimum of 168 clinical hours in heart and vascular settings across the spectrum of nursing cardiology.

Cardiology Nursing Courses

The program consists of three rigorous courses covering advanced topics in cardiology nursing:

• NUR 801: Advanced Practice Nursing: Cardiovascular Specialty I (Spring only)
• NUR 803: Advanced Practice Nursing: Cardiovascular Specialty II (Summer only)
• NUR 805: Advanced Practice Nursing in Adult-Gerontology Cardiovascular Synthesis

Enrollment Options

To add the nursing cardiology specialty to their academic plan, students must complete the Add a Specialty Form and submit it to the MSN Program Office via email at least 10 days before the start of the semester. Nurse practitioners with an MSN degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution and nurse practitioner students from other regionally accredited colleges or universities should follow the instructions for the Specialty Certificate application.

Specialty Director

Margaret Bowers, DNP, FNP-BC, CHSE, FAANP, FAAN, FACC, is the Clinical Professor and Director of the Cardiovascular Specialty at Duke University School of Nursing.

Q&A with Lead Faculty Midge Bowers

• What attracts you to cardiology? Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of mortality in the U.S. today, and providing care with a focus on reducing mortality and preventing heart disease is a key passion.
• What makes the cardiology specialty unique? The cardiology specialty curriculum is mapped to the recently published American College of Cardiology NP/PA competencies, preparing nurse practitioners with the knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based care.
• What type of nurse should consider a cardiology specialty certificate? Adult-gerontology primary or acute care and family nurse practitioner students, as well as nurse practitioners in current practice who want to work in cardiology.
• Describe an excellent candidate for the cardiology specialty. An ideal candidate has nursing experience in cardiology, providing a foundation for delving into advanced cardiovascular content.
• How can the cardiology specialty enhance a nurse’s career? This specialty expands opportunities for primary care nurse practitioner students to develop a cardiovascular niche in an internal medicine or family practice, focusing on the care of individuals with chronic cardiac conditions.