What degrees are needed for becoming an cardiac rehabilitation nurse?

Education Requirements

To become a cardiac rehabilitation nurse, you’ll need a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited college or university. Some hospitals may also require nurses to have a master's degree in nursing. As a cardiac rehabilitation nurse, you’ll gain experience and may become certified through the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).

Required Degrees: Bachelor’s Degree and State License

There are few differences between the required education for cardiac rehabilitation nurses and those in other nursing specialties. Cardiac rehabilitation nurses most commonly hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).

All registered nurses must be licensed by the state in which they practice. Licensing is regulated by the state board of nursing. As part of the licensing process, nurses must be registered with the Nursys database. Nursys is the nursing application management system used by all licensing boards of nursing in the United States.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctoral Degrees

Registered nurses with a BSN can advance their education by pursuing an advanced nursing degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Although some cardiac rehabilitation nurses have an MSN, it’s not always necessary. Cardiac rehabilitation nurses who want to hold management or administrative positions or be nurse practitioners may need an MSN or higher.

Advanced career paths for cardiac rehabilitation include positions as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), clinical managers, and directors.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Certifications

Cardiac rehabilitation nurses may also opt to become certified in their specialty. Certifications are offered by nursing organizations to showcase nurses’ experience, knowledge, and expertise in cardiac rehabilitation nursing.