Irina Nikoltcheva RN, MSN, FNP-BC is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who specializes in cardiology. She obtained her Bachelor in the Science of Nursing degree at Lewis University, where she double majored in nursing and sociology. During her undergraduate studies, Irina was involved in a study called “Walk to Chicago- A Program to Encourage Exercise for Latinas” which focused on improving cardiovascular health and decreasing blood glucose in Hispanic patients with type II diabetes. She presented the findings of the study at the Sixth Annual Evidence Based Practice Conference at Edward Hospital and became the only student presenter.

Prior to her career as a Nurse Practitioner Irina worked on Cardiovascular Unit at Advocate Christ Medical Center for 6 years as a floor and charge nurse and caring for patients with Left Ventricular Assistive Devices (LVADs), pacemakers, heart and lung transplants, post cardiac catheterization patients and post lung surgery patients. Irina also worked as a preceptor for new nurses and received the Preceptor of Distinction Magnet Award in 2013.

While working as a full time registered nurse and pursuing her interest in cardiology and cardiovascular health, Irina returned to Lewis University and earned her Master of Science Degree. She graduated with Honors and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honors Society of Nursing Epsilon Upsilon Chapter. Irina holds a national board certification with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a family nurse practitioner.

Irina joined Heart Care Centers of Illinois in 2017 and works closely with the many cardiologists in the practice. She provides direct care to cardiac patients in the hospital and clinic settings and focuses on heart failure and treatment of complex lipid disorders.   

Irina believes in providing culturally competent, compassionate, holistic care based on education, health promotion, and primary prevention. While striving to meet and exceed the demands of a patient population, Irina thoroughly enjoys working closely with her patients and delivering the very best care possible to help them maintain good health.

In her free time Irina enjoys being outdoors, tennis, kickboxing, Zumba, traveling around the world and spending time with her family and friends.