Cardiology Nurse Practitioners

Background. The role of the acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) evolved as a response to a reduction in the health care workforce and the increased acuity of illness in hospitalized patients. Objective. This article reviews the purpose of the ACNP role at a university medical center in the specialty area of cardiology. An overview of role development as well as expansion of the role in the division of cardiology at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, where there are currently more than 200 NPs now employed, is discussed. The responsibilities of the Cardiology Telemetry NP service are reviewed, including discussion of physician satisfaction with the collaborative clinical decision-making process. Conclusion. The role of the cardiology NP has evolved as a result of a focused effort at expanding the care provided by NPs to patients in cardiology. Clinical Implications. Strategies used by this service may be used in other departments to promote the development of the ACNP role, including garnering administrative support, promoting collegial practice relationships with medical departments, demonstration of advance knowledge and skills, and professional role modeling.