For new graduates of nurse practitioner programs, cardiovascular-focused knowledge and skills can be improved with additional professional development opportunities. Guest Michelle Alland, APRN, AGACNP-BC, MSN, FNP-C, AACC, describes postgraduate fellowships, local and national training options, onboarding, and the importance of mentorship from more tenured NPs.

RELATED PCNA RESOURCES:

Professional Development

Awards

Abstracts

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What is a nurse scientist, and what is the difference between one that is PhD-prepared versus DNP-prepared? Guest Dawn Aycock, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAHA, FPCNA, FAAN, shares about the importance of nurse engagement in research, and how to get involved, no matter your role or location.

Related PCNA Resources:

Presenting Your Work: Call for Abstracts: https://pcna.net/events-news/cardiovascular-nursing-symposium/call-for-abstracts/

Empowering CV Nurses to Engage in Clinical Research (article): https://pcna.net/news/empowering-cardiovascular-nurses-to-engage-in-clinical-research/

Clinical Research: Engaging with the Community (podcast): https://pcna.net/podcast/clinical-research-engaging-with-the-community/

About Research and Evidence-Based Practice (article): https://pcna.net/health-topics/research-and-evidence-based-practice/

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Approximately 95% of SCAD cases (spontaneous coronary artery dissection) occur in women--even young women who do not have typical cardiovascular risk factors. Guests Eileen Handberg, PhD, ANP-BC, FAHA, FACC, FPCNA, and Maggie Teliska describe SCAD from both a clinical and patient standpoint: symptoms, diagnosis and misdiagnosis, treatments, advocating for yourself, and the importance of the SCAD registry in moving the science forward.

Related resources:

scadalliance.org

womenheart.org

Heberden's symptom description from 1800s: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2989494/

PCNA Article: Cardiovascular Health in Women: https://pcna.net/news/cardiovascular-health-in-women-beyond-the-basics/

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Professional development to improve nursing knowledge and skills occurs in a variety of forms. Learn from Sandra Klafter, BSN, RN, CV-BC, about her experience in preparing for the Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC) as well as her involvement in PCNA.

CV-BC Credential

Volunteering with PCNA

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Quality improvement projects can be done in just about any setting--but what does the process look like?

Guest Kate Lew, MSN, RN, FNP-C, shares her experience in the creation and completion of a QI project in her workplace. Learn about the steps and strategies that were used to identify the problem, access related data, and make recommendations for improvement.

Resources:

PCNA Abstracts: https://pcna.net/events-news/cardiovascular-nursing-symposium/call-for-abstracts/abstract-guidelines/

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Advanced practice providers (APP) provide both quality care and leadership in structural heart interventions. Guest Caitlin O’Callaghan Reen, CNP, FACC, describes how to effectively work with patients and their support communities in shared decision-making for long-term, lifetime planning, and leadership within the structural heart team.

Related PCNA CE Course: Structural Heart Interventions: What’s New?

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Around 4% of the global population has aortic stenosis, and early identification is key to reducing strain on the heart and reducing morbidity and mortality. Guest Alicia White, MSN, RN, describes signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care following procedures.

Related PCNA CE course:

Aortic Stenosis: An increasing risk for structural heart disease: https://pcna.net/course/aortic-stenosis-an-increasing-risk-for-structural-heart-disease/

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The intersection of risk factors for diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, the liver, and the cardiovascular system is becoming increasingly evident, and so is the mult-system impacts of lifestyle and specific pharmacotherapies for prevention and treatment. Episode guests Joseph Saseen, PharmD, MNLA, FACC, CLS, and Emily Bankhead, MSN, FNP-BC, describe the positive impacts of healthcare professionals working collaboratively, and to the top of their scope of licensure, to effectively address multi-system disorders.

Related Resources

2026 Multi-Society CKM Guideline [released after this episode recording]

PCNA CE Course: Cardiometabolic Treatments for Obesity

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How can nurses and other healthcare professionals help patients with diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions reduce their risk of CVD? Join guests Joseph Saseen, PharmD, MNLA, FACC, CLS, and Emily Bankhead, MSN, FNP-BC, for a discussion about applying current guidelines for hypertension and glucose-lowering therapies and the importance of team-based care.

Related Resources:

2025 AHA/ACC High Pressure Guideline

2026 Multi-Society CKM Guideline [released after this episode recording]

PREVENT Equations

PCNA CE Course: Cardiometabolic Treatments for Obesity

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This episode explores how translational research bridges the gap between scientific discovery and real-world patient care, and highlights the nurse’s pivotal role in clinical trials. Tune in to guests Brittany Butts, PhD, RN, and Erin Ferranti, PhD, MPH, RN, FAHA, FPCNA, FAAN, to learn how you can champion research, from participation to publication, and drive meaningful change in healthcare.

Link to the Cardiovascular Nursing Certificate here: https://pcna.net/career-development/cardiovascular-nursing-certificate/

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