CSC (Adult)

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.

This certification is accepted by the Magnet Recognition Program^®.

Initial Eligibility Requirements & Fees

A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license is required.
An unencumbered license is not currently being subjected to formal discipline by the board of nursing in the state(s) in which the nurse is practicing and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse’s practice. Provisions or conditions may include, but are not limited to, direct supervision of practice, drug administration limitations and/or practice area exclusions.

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.

Five-Year Option

Practice as an RN or APRN during the previous 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.

Eligible Clinical Practice Hours:

Must be completed in a U.S.-based or Canada-based facility or in a facility determined to be comparable to the U.S. standard of acute/critical care nursing practice.
Are those spent actively providing direct care to acutely/critically ill adult patients or supervising nurses or nursing students at the bedside of acutely/critically ill adult patients, if working as a manager, educator, preceptor or APRN.
Are verifiable by your clinical supervisor or professional colleague (RN or physician). Contact information must be provided for verification of eligibility related to clinical hours, to be used if you are selected for audit.
For complete eligibility requirements, refer to the CSC Exam Handbook.