Cardiovascular Nursing, Graduate Certificate Online

Loretta Heggelund poses for a photo after receiving her M.S. in Nursing degree.

“Cardiovascular Institute of the South is world-renowned in its advances in cardiovascular medicine, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to work with them and to take part in the program. It was very challenging at times, but it was manageable, and I learned so much.”

Future FNP to Focus Cardio Expertise on Prevention

You should earn your Graduate Certificate in Cardiovascular Nursing if:

  • You want to expand your diagnostic and therapeutic skills. 
  • You are passionate about cardiovascular disease prevention.  
  • You aspire to improve specialized healthcare access. 
  • You are excited to learn about the latest developments in telecardiology, innovative procedures, implants and pharmacological breakthroughs. 

Developed for advanced practice nurses, this 12-credit-hour program comprises four courses completed over two semesters. You'll complete 8 graduate credit hours of online coursework and 4 graduate credit hours earned through 120 contact hours of clinical practicum experience in healthcare settings.

Total tuition is $5,760, and scholarships are available.

Apply by Feb. 4 to enroll in the next cohort!

Specialize as a cardiovascular nurse

NP Marcus Montet, of Cardiovascular Institute of the South, demonstrates the organization's telehealth capabilities.

Meet industry needs.

Developed in conjunction with Cardiovascular Institute of the South, this program delivers applicable knowledge and skills for advanced practice nurses to specialize their skillset and meet critical healthcare needs.

Cardiovascular Nursing according to alumni, professors

Build on your knowledge as an NP.

with Dr. Deedra Harrington, Professor

Cardiovascular disease is very prominent in the South. If a family nurse practitioner wants to work in the cardio arena, they can gain the specialized background knowledge they did not acquire through their NP education.

Program Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate Certificate program in Cardiovascular Nursing, you must have: 

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate Nursing program and either
    1. Current enrollment in an MSN or BSN to DNP program and, for those matriculating in the FNP concentration in the Master of Science in Nursing Program through one of the four universities {鶹ҹ, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, and Southeastern Louisiana University) that collaborate to form the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN), current enrollment in or completion of NURS 583/683 - Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Health II or
    2. Completion of an accredited nurse practitioner program (in the role of FNP, adult/gerontology, NP or acute care NP population foci);
  • An overall undergraduate GPA of at least a 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) or an overall undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or an overall graduate GPA of not less than 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale);
  • Evidence of current, unencumbered Louisiana RN licensure and current, unencumbered Louisiana APRN Nurse Practitioner nursing license for current APRNs.*

*Students enrolled in or have graduated from a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice program and possess licensure and certification as a nurse practitioner in the roles of FNP, adult/gerontology NP, or acute care NP population foci are eligible.

To complete your application, you'll need to provide the following. With the exception of transcripts, all documents can be submitted through the online application portal.

  • Application fee
  • Official transcripts from the institution attended are required for the following*:
    • All institutions where any degree was awarded
    • All institutions where any graduate coursework was attempted 
  • Two letters of recommendation
    • One recommendation must be from someone who can attest to the clinical competencies of the applicant at an Advanced Practice level.
    • One recommendation must be from a former faculty member in a nursing program, a current or former nursing supervisor, or a nursing leader who can speak to the applicant’s potential for success in the graduate certificate program.

Transcripts must be submitted from your previous institution directly to the Graduate School at gradschool@louisiana.edu or by mail at:

鶹ҹ Graduate School
Martin Hall Suite 332
PO Box 43716
Lafayette, LA 70504-3716

*If an applicant is a current student in the 鶹ҹ MSN or BSN to DNP program in good academic standing, the application requirements of new official transcripts and letters of recommendation are waived.

Students must successfully complete the three courses listed below with a grade of “B” or better to receive the Graduate Certificate in Cardiovascular Nursing: 

  • NURS 450G - Foundations of Cardiovascular Care Credit Hours: 3
  • NURS 451G - Management and Care of Cardiac Dysrhythmias Credit Hours: 3
  • NURS 452G - Diagnosis and Management of Acute and Chronic Cardiac Disorders Credit Hours: 6

Online graduate students have the benefit of flat-rate, $480-per-credit tuition. Total tuition for the Graduate Certificate in Cardiovascular Nursing is $5,760, and scholarships are available.

Learn more about Tuition & Costs.

Because courses in this program will only be available online, the program may not be available to all applicants. The 鶹ҹ and its online programs must be in compliance in every state where a student is located. International students also may not be eligible. According to U.S. immigration regulations, F-1 students cannot pursue online degrees; international students in other visa categories (i.e., H-4, L2) are exempt from this restriction.