Self-paced cardiovascular advanced practice series offered by Cizik School of Nursing

Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston has launched a series of continuing professional development courses to provide highly specialized cardiovascular knowledge for advanced practice providers (APPs), ranging from prevention to care for the most acutely ill patients. 

“APPs play an increasingly important role in caring for patients experiencing or at risk for cardiovascular disease, and we are pleased to provide in-depth knowledge of the prevention, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of their care through this new professional development series,” said Professor Jessica Coviello, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, associate dean of faculty development. 

Participants may log in to live WebEx lectures or watch recordings at their own pace online. Advance practice nurses who participate in the entire series will earn 38 contact hours of continuing professional development. The cost is $700 for the entire series. 

The first 12 lectures, offered during the spring semester, will provide a general review of cardiovascular care. A second series featuring more advanced concepts and specialized topics is planned to launch this summer. 

The first lecture, a cardiovascular physiology review, was presented Feb. 22, 2023,  by Mary-Ann Cyr, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC.  Dr. Cyr’s clinical expertise includes over 30 years in the management of critically ill patients, particularly those requiring advanced hemodynamic monitoring and mechanical circulatory support. Dr Cyr is currently a senior lecturer at Yale University School of Nursing and a surgical critical care APRN at Hartford Hospital Connecticut. 

The first series of lectures has been completed and will be available soon for for additional students to complete online at their own pace. A second, more advanced series will begin in the fall of 2023. 

Information presented is in accordance with the 2020 cardiovascular advanced provider knowledge competencies defined by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association.  

Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.