How to Become a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner

Approximately every 40 seconds, an American will have a heart attack, according to the American Heart Association. Cardiac nurse practitioners are needed to care for these patients and their families. 

In this guide, you’ll learn what a cardiac nurse practitioner does, how much they make, how to become one, and more. 

A cardiac nurse practitioner is a specialized Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who provides comprehensive care to patients who have been diagnosed with cardiac diseases. 

They care for patients with heart conditions that are structural or electrical, blood vessel diseases, and heart disease. In collaboration with other healthcare providers like physicians, they work to develop treatment plans for these patients. 

Cardiac Nurse Practitioners perform a variety of skills generally related to the heart, blood vessels, and cardiac system, including conducting physical exams, prescribing medications, and counseling patients and families regarding their disease.

Specific day-to-day duties for a Cardiac NP may include:

1. Analyzing pathophysiology for various cardiovascular disease processes
2. Assessing patient risks for cardiovascular disease
3. Assisting with cardiac catheterization
4. Assisting with patients requiring ECMO
5. Conducting and interpreting stress tests
6. Conducting cardiac research
7. Consulting and collaborating with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care plans.
8. Consulting with cardiac patients and counseling on potential lifestyle changes
9. Designing treatment plans
10. Inserting central venous and arterial catheters
11. Monitoring postoperative cardiac patients
12. Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests
13. Preparing patients for surgery, procedures, and post-operative plan of care
14. Prescribing medications 

Cardiac Nurse Practitioner Specialties

Cardiac nurse practitioners can serve as generalists and cover all aspects of cardiac care, or they can further specialize in one of the following cardiac interventions, areas, or disorders:

1. Aortic aneurysms
2. Arrhythmias
3. Cardiac catheterization
4. Cardiac infections
5. Cardiac surgery
6. Congestive heart failure
7. Coronary artery disease
8. Myocardial infarctions
9. Valvular irregularities

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Where Can Cardiac Nurse Practitioners Work?

Cardiac NPs can work in a variety of locations, including:

1. Academia
2. Ambulatory care centers
3. Cardiac catheterization labs
4. Cardiac intensive care units
5. Community health centers
6. Coronary care units
7. Electrophysiology practice
8. Emergency room
9. Extended care facilities
10. Government agencies
11. Health department
12. Home care agencies 
13. Hospice
14. Hospital
15. Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation clinic
16. Palliative care
17. Private practice
18. Public health centers
19. Veterans’ facilities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for nurse practitioners in May 2024 was $129,210 per year. The BLS does not differentiate between different types of Nurse Practitioners, but Glassdoor reported an average salary of $119,000 annually for cardiac NPs in May 2025.

Highest Paying States for Cardiac Nurse Practitioners

 The BLS reports that in May 2024, the highest-paying states for nurse practitioners were:

State	Hourly Median Wage	Annual Median Wage
California	$80.10	$166,610
New Jersey	$71.94	$149,620
Alaska	$69.93	$145,450
New York	$69.90	$145,390
Oregon	$69.52	$144,600

Cardiac Nurse Practitioner Salary by Years of Experience

According to Payscale, cardiac NPs can earn a higher annual salary with more experience:

1. Less than 1 year of experience earns $102,243 annually
2. 1 to 4 years of experience earns $107,747 annually
3. 5 to 9 years of experience earns $118,860 annually
4. 10 to 19 years of experience earns $121,274 annually
5. Over 20 years of experience earns $119,916 annually

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If you want to become a cardiac nurse practitioner, you’ll need to first become a registered nurse, then advance your education with either a master's or doctorate-level nurse practitioner program, and finally, earn your certification in cardiology. 

1. Step 1: Graduate from an accredited nursing program
2. Step 2: Become a Registered Nurse by passing the NCLEX examination
3. Step 3: Gain at least 2-3 years of relevant cardiology nursing experience
4. Step 4: Earn your NP from an accredited nursing program
5. Step 5: Become a certified NP after passing your national examination
6. Step 6: Earn a post-NP certification specializing in cardiology
7. Step 7: Obtain a position as a Cardiac NP

How Long Does it Take to Become a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner?

Conservatively, it takes eleven years to become a Cardiac NP.

1. Four years to earn a BSN
2. A minimum of two years of bedside cardiac experience
3. Three years to earn a Cardiac NP degree
4. Two years of a cardiac NP fellowship

Becoming board-certified takes two years after completion of a cardiac NP program. A cardiac fellowship is not required, but many top hospitals and cardiac programs will find ideal candidates with fellowships.

Duke University and the University of South Alabama offer specialty programs for nurses interested in cardiology.

These programs are ideal because the didactic information and clinical rotations are specific to cardiology. This provides the first-hand experience needed to care for this specific group of patients.

The Mayo Clinic’s School of Health Sciences in Arizona also offers an exclusive cardiology nurse practitioner fellowship. 

 
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The American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine Inc. offers the Cardiac Nurse Practitioners Level IV (CVNP-BC) examination to qualified individuals. This is the only certification exam for cardiac NPs. 

Cardiac Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the CVN-BC examination, you’ll need to meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Current, active, unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the US, its territories, or Canada
2. Graduate degree from an accredited nurse practitioner program with a concentration in adult (primary or acute), family (across the lifespan), gerontology, or women’s health
3. Minimum of two years of cardiac experience

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the career outlook for NPs is excellent. Over the next decade, the field is projected to grow by 40% (Much faster than average).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. One person dies every 33 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease, and about 702,880 Americans died from heart disease in 2022—that’s 1 in every 5 deaths.

The need for cardiac NPs will only continue to grow. As more and more Americans are diagnosed with cardiac disease, nurse practitioners will be needed to care for these patients. Cardiac patients are complex and require extensive care, and cardiac NPs can help fill the void between cardiologists and patients. 

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CEU hours will vary based on the state of licensure. For each state an individual is licensed, CEU hours will be required. Generally, NPs must have at least 75 contact hours of continuing education in the specialty area (cardiology). 

Board-certified Cardiac NPs can utilize continuing education hours for both the certification renewal and NP renewal. It is important to confirm with the state board of nursing to determine the specific number of hours required for renewal. 

Additionally, even though they are functioning in an APRN role, they must maintain their RN certification.  In order for an individual to renew their RN license, they will need to fill out an application, complete a specific number of CEU hours, and pay a nominal fee. Each state has specific requirements, and it is important to check with the board of nursing prior to applying for license renewal.

Read our guide to continuing education for nurses to learn more about NP CEU requirements.

1. American Association of Nurse Practitioners
2. Doctors of Nursing Practice
3. American College of Cardiology
4. American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine
5. The American Journal of Cardiology

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3. Family Nurse Practitioner
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6. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
7. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
8. Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
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10. Emergency Nurse Practitioner
11. Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
12. Oncology Nurse Practitioner

$100,000+ MSN DNP Cardiac Bedside NP