Evangelical Nurse Becomes Cardiac-Vascular Board Certified

Cheryl Walter, RN-BC recently completed all the necessary requirements and became board certified as a Cardiac-Vascular Nurse, making her the first nurse at Evangelical Community Hospital to receive this designation. Walter, celebrating her 37th year at Evangelical this June, works in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at Evangelical Community Hospital and is encouraging and mentoring other nurses in her field to become certified.

“This is an opportunity for any RN in this field to take their knowledge to another level. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to do this and can enhance the care to my patients,” Walter said.

The American Nurses Association Credentialing Center (ANCC) provides Registered Nurses with resources to achieve practice excellence through its internationally renowned credentialing program that certifies nurses in specialty practice areas. In addition to credentialing, the ANCC recognizes healthcare organizations for promoting safe, positive work environments, and accredits continuing nurse education organizations.

The Cardiac/Vascular Nurse Certification validates nursing knowledge in the two overlapping areas. Completion of the program demonstrates the participant meets the nationally recognized standard for their area of specialty. The examination in cardiovascular disease tests in seven main areas of nursing practice including the study of functional changes and how those changes present themselves in cardiovascular disease; communication; provision of care; patient and family/caregiver education; psychosocial aspects of cardiovascular disease; leadership; and legal and ethical issues.

“When the new Cardiac Rehabilitation suite opens in July, the skills I’ve acquired as a certified Cardiac/Vascular nurse will be put to good use with our patients on the latest technology and in a larger environment,” said Walter.

Walter represents her profession by speaking at health fairs and community events, for the Wellness Committee in the Hospital, and during education days for other nurses. She is the Critical Incident Stress Management Coordinator at the Hospital, involved in the clinical ladder project, teaches as a Basic Life Support Instructor and an Advanced Cardiac Life Support instructor, and is an active member of the Hospital Incident Command Committee. She recently was elected President of the Tri-State Society for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and is active in the National Certification Process by which the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center is certified through the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (ASACVPR).

Cheryl and her husband, Allen W. Walter, live in Milton, PA, and have three children and two grandchildren.

Evangelical Community Hospital is a non-profit organization that employs approximately 1,300 people and has more than 170 employed and non-employed physicians on staff. The Hospital is licensed to accommodate 127 overnight patients, 12 acute rehab patients and 18 bassinets. The Hospital serves residents throughout the Central Susquehanna Valley, including those living in Snyder, Union, Northumberland and Lycoming Counties, and has earned the HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award for four consecutive years.