Heather Bastardi, RN, MSN, PNP (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)
at Children's Hospital Boston answered the following questions:

What is the role of the pediatric nurse practitioner?

A pediatric nurse practitioner in the Cardiology Department at Children's Hospital Boston is a nurse with a master's degree that works with the doctors to organize and direct care. Different from nurses, she can perform physical examinations, write prescriptions and order and interpret diagnostic tests.

• In the outpatient setting she can perform cardiology assessments, interpret test findings, educate families and work with the cardiologists to manage patient care.

• In the inpatient setting she works with the cardiologists and the cardiac surgeons to manage the post cardiac surgery patients.

• In all settings, she works with the doctors, the patients and the family to provide the best possible medical care.

What is the role of the heart transplant coordinator?

As the heart transplant coordinator at Children's Hospital in Boston, it my role to act as the "bridge" between the patient and the doctors. This entails:

• Working with patients and their families throughout the entire transplant process (from initial evaluation through follow-up after transplant).

• Performing physical examinations, writing prescriptions as well as ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests.

• Working with all members of the heart transplant team social worker, nutritionist, cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, pharmacist, child psychiatrist, patient, family, etc.) to coordinate and organize the complex care involved in heart transplantation.