Curriculum for the NP Fellowship in Cardiology

Trainee Experience

The Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in Cardiology prepares postgraduate nurse practitioners (NP) to apply critical thinking skills and increase confidence to practice in cardiovascular specialty areas. The curriculum is based on core competencies that include knowledge, skills, and understanding of health care areas.

Clinical Training and Rotations

By the end of the fellowship, you will have rotated monthly and have a strong knowledge of evidence-based practices in these areas, within your scope of practice:

  • Cardiovascular risk and assessment
  • Advanced heart failure management
  • Acute coronary syndrome management
  • Structural heart disease
  • Rhythm disorders (arrhythmias, cardiac implantable electronic devices)
  • Implantable cardiac devices management
  • Valvular heart diseases
  • Vascular heart disease and microvascular heart disease workup

By the end of the fellowship , you will have experience performing cardiovascular-focused skills or procedures, within your scope of practice, that may include:

  • Cardiac P/E exam
  • Electrocardiogram interpretation
  • Stress test supervision
  • Cardiac imaging review (Echo, cardiac catheterization)
  • Cardiac device interrogation

Curriculum Enhancements

The UIC College of Nursing and College of Medicine are committed to developing and maintaining the best educational programs. The curriculum and other aspects of this program are routinely assessed and changed as necessary to ensure the highest quality training.

Schedule and Hours

The program offers you a variable, on-site schedule to achieve the best learning opportunities to meet the program goals. Most of the rotations include eight- to 12-hour days, four to five days a week.

Schedules may vary during subspecialty areas and mentor preferences. Flexibility in scheduling ensures that you receive adequate rest and time off.

Department and Faculty

Teaching faculty

The Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in Cardiology is coordinated and taught by an interdisciplinary team, including nurse practitioners, allied health, and physician staff of the UIC College of Medicine Division of Cardiology.

Faculty members are chosen for their commitment to teaching, as well as clinical practice and research. Many have published and lectured extensively and are highly regarded in their fields.

You have direct access to these individuals throughout your training, giving you the opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners in cardiology.

Program Director
Carolyn Dickens, PhD, MBA, APRN, ACNP-BC, CNP-FPA, FAAN, FHFSA

Associate Program Directors
Sisay Mersha, Senior Director, Advanced Practice Providers
Carol Sieck, PhD, RN, Executive Director, Faculty Practice & Partnerships

Medical Director
Dr. Adhir Shroff, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine, Clinical Chief of Cardiology, UIC

Facilities

The College of Medicine at UIC is one of the nation’s largest and most diverse colleges of medicine, with experience in both rural and urban care. The College of Nursing also has a main campus in Chicago and was recently ranked #17 among the best Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs nationally. In addition, we have a state-of-the-art simulation lab with life-size models and robotics that simulate patient care scenarios.

Grading or Evaluation

Fellows receive clinical evaluations from clinic preceptors and inpatient service attendings. Evaluations are reviewed by the academic performance committee and the fellows. All fellows will be expected to take the ACC CCKE exam upon completion of the fellowship.

Questions?

Carol Sieck, PhD, RN
Associate Program Director, Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in Cardiology
Executive Director, Faculty Practice and Partnerships, UIC College of Nursing
312-996-7115 or npfellowship@uic.edu