Cardiovascular Nursing Certification

I’m Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, Board President for PCNA. I’d like to welcome you to Heart to Heart Nurses. PCNA supports your professional journey with accessible continuing education, practical patient resources, and a vibrant community that understands the unique challenges and rewards of cardiovascular nursing. Together, we’re advancing the knowledge that defines excellence in cardiac care while celebrating the difference you make every day. 

Geralyn Warifeld (host) (00:32) 

I’d like to welcome our audience to today’s conversation with Sandy Klafter. Sandy, could you introduce yourself to us, please? 

Sandra Klafter (guest) (00:39) 

My name is Sandy Klafter and I’m a registered nurse in the Cardiac Imaging Department at Mayo Clinic, Arizona. 

Geralyn Warifeld (host) (00:48) 

Thank you so very much for being here, Sandy. And I know that nurses have a lot of educational opportunities available to them. Sometimes through their hospitals, sometimes they’re going through, let’s say, a graduate program and getting education there. But you have a very special type of education that you went through that you wanted to share with our audience. And what was that? 

Sandra Klafter (guest) (01:07) 

Well, a friend of mine and I decided to get our certification in cardiac vascular nursing. Since we worked in the field, we thought it would be a good opportunity to learn and grow.  

So, we looked into it, and we found a date. So, we picked a date and then after that, we would get together and study. We did do a review course, and then our employer—actually, they’re very good about reimbursing us for the cost of the sitting for the exam and the review class—it was all covered, so that was great. 

Geralyn Warifeld (host) (02:02) 

And so how long of a process was this from, let’s say, the time that you committed to actually going through this? It’s through ANCC, isn’t it? The American Nurses Credentialing Center-did I get that correct? 

Sandra Klafter (guest) (02:14) 

That’s right.  

Geralyn Warifeld (host) 

And I know PCNA is a supporter of this particular certification process as well. But how long did that take you? And I know you selected the date, so you could have selected a date that was sooner or later, I suspect, as well. 

Sandra Klafter (guest) (02:14) 

That’s right. We decided on how long we thought we needed to study and prepare and feel good about walking in there and taking it. So, I think we did maybe like six months or something like that. And as a member of PCNA, there was a discount. As a member of ANA, you also got a discount,  

Geralyn Warifeld (host) (03:01) 

And so what were the results of your certification process? And I don’t mean you need to tell us what your score was, but what do you think you got out of that process and that having that certification at hand when you passed? 

Sandra Klafter (guest) (03:14) 

Well, we were very proud of our accomplishment. And we kind of validated ourselves as cardiac vascular nurses. We learned a lot in the process. And then we encouraged our colleagues to take the exam, go sit for the exam. 

Geralyn Warifeld (host) (03:39) 

So, it sounds like it’s something that you’d recommend to other people that are looking for furthering their education and their skill set. Excellent.  

We’re going to take a quick break, and we will be right back.  

Geralyn Warifeld (host) 

I’d like to welcome back our audience to our conversation with Sandy Klafter.  

And Sandy, in addition to this certification exam that you described before our break, I know you’ve been really active in PCNA and I’m hoping you could tell us a little bit more about what that experience has been like and what your involvement or engagement opportunities have been. 

Sandra Klafter (guest) (03:45) 

Absolutely. 

I’ve been involved for a few years now. I’m one of the ambassadors for the local chapter here in Arizona.  

And also, we were on the planning committee for our, we have a spring event and a fall event. And then, we like to attend the annual symposiums, which are all over the country once a year. We learn a lot and it’s a lot of fun.  

I think also I’ve done some patient education tools—that you collaborate with other members, you know, across the country to update or produce new material for patient education. 

Geralyn Warfeld (host) (05:06) 

I want to make sure our audience knows that we’ll be sure to put in our show notes information about the credentialing and also the opportunities that Sandy has described for us. And Sandy, my final question for you is, do you have one key takeaway you would like to leave with our audience? 

Sandra Klafter (05:21) 

I would just encourage everyone to get involved in PCNA because I think it helps you grow and learn from others in the field. 

Geralyn Warifeld (host) (05:38) 

Well, we are so lucky to have active individuals like you involved in PCNA. Thank you so very much for joining us today.  

Sandra Klafter (guest) (05:44) 

Thank you. 

Geralyn Warifeld (host) 

This is your host, Geralyn Warfield, and we will see you next time. 

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Heart to Heart Nurses. We invite you to visit PCNA.net for education and resources that will empower you to provide preventive cardiovascular care with confidence and expertise.