CSC® is a subspecialty certification for certified nurses who provide direct care to acutely/critically ill adult cardiac surgery patients in the first 48 hours postoperatively. Nurses interested in this certification may work in areas such as cardiothoracic surgery, cardiovascular surgery and post-anesthesia care units.
A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license is required.
An unencumbered license is not currently being subjected to formal discipline by any state board of nursing and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse’s practice in any way.
A current nationally accredited clinical nursing specialty certification, to which the CSC credential will be attached, is required.
Candidates must complete one of the following clinical practice hour requirement options:
Two-Year Option
Practice as an RN or APRN for 1,750 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients during the previous two years, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application. Of those 1,750 hours, 875 need to be in the care of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac surgery patients within the first 48 hours postoperatively.
OR
Five-Year Option
Practice as an RN or APRN for at least five years with a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients, with 144 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application. Of those 2,000 hours, 1,000 need to be in the care of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac surgery patients within the first 48 hours postoperatively.
CSC (Adult) Exam Resources
CSC Information