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Graduate Certificate in Cardiovascular Nursing

Become a leader in cardiovascular health and disease management with your Graduate Certificate in Cardiovascular Nursing from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. As the national population ages and cardiovascular disease becomes more common, there is an increased need for NPs and cardiologists to provide cardiovascular medical care.

We are the only university in Louisiana to offer a graduate certificate in cardiovascular nursing for nurse practitioners.

The application deadline is February 4. Classes start in mid-March. Courses and clinical experiences are completed over the spring and summer, and the certificate is awarded at the beginning of August.

Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Cardiovascular Nursing is a six-month, 12-credit-hour program that combines online learning with clinical experiences.

  • 8 credit hours of online classes
  • 4 credit hours of clinical practicum experiences

Spring B Term Course: NURS 450G - Foundations of Cardiovascular Care (3 credit hours online/8-week term)

This course includes an overview of chronic cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease and common cardiac dysrhythmias. You’ll learn how to diagnose and manage congenital heart disease, rheumatic fever, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.

In addition to treating adults, you’ll learn the foundations of cardiovascular care as it applies to pediatric and obstetrical populations, including advanced assessment, diagnostic procedures, treatment, and pharmacological management for individuals diagnosed with these common cardiovascular disorders.

Spring Intersession Course: NURS 451G - Management and Care of Cardiac Dysrhythmias (3 credit hours online/3-week term)

This course will teach you 12-lead EKG interpretation and cardiac monitoring in patients diagnosed with cardiac dysrhythmias.

Summer Course: Diagnosis and Management of Acute and Chronic Cardiac Disorders (2 credit hours online and 4 credit hours clinical/8-week term)

The final course focuses on the diagnosis and management of chronic and acute cardiac disorders across a variety of clinical settings, such as telemedicine, outpatient, and inpatient. You’ll get to use cutting-edge technologies like telecardiology, remote monitoring, robotics, and mobile apps to monitor and facilitate care.

This course includes 120 hours in a clinical setting. You’ll work under a preceptor and a faculty member to collect data and compile a comprehensive medical history. You’ll use that history to guide physical examinations of patients diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases and develop an appropriate plan of care based on what you’ve learned in your previous two courses.

Tuition

UL Lafayette online students pay a flat-rate, per-credit-hour tuition. Online graduate students pay $480 per credit hour. 

Additional course fees, including materials, labs and proctoring fees, are not included. Online students are not assessed additional operational and activity fees or out-of-state tuition.

Scholarship Support Available

In addition to providing qualified NP and cardiologist preceptors, the Cardiovascular Institute of the South will sponsor scholarships for several students in the program’s initial years.

Admission

Students are admitted only once a year, as a cohort, to the Graduate Certificate in Cardiovascular Nursing.

The application deadline is February 4. Classes begin on March 18.

To be considered for admission to the cardiovascular nursing certificate program, you must:

  • Be enrolled in or have completed a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctorate in Nursing program and possess licensure and certification as a nurse practitioner in the roles of FNP, adult/gerontology NP, or acute care NP population foci;
  • Complete the online application and pay the application fee;
  • Submit official transcripts;
  • Submit proof of current licensure and certification as a nurse practitioner;
  • Submit a resume; and
  • Arrange for two references to provide letters of recommendation.

See a detailed list of application and admissions requirements from the Graduate School >

Apply today!

Online Learning

Learning online is ideal for advanced practice nurses who want to specialize their skillset without stepping away from their professional lives.

Our courses are uniquely designed with online students in mind. We have a long record of excellence in delivering a high caliber learning experience to working professionals.

Learn more about the online learning experience at UL Lafayette.

Contact

Dr. Christy Lenahan
Phone: 337-482-5606
Wharton Hall, 307
Email: christy.mcdonaldlenahan@louisiana.edu