OVERVIEW
Professional Portfolio Overview
The CNS-CP Professional Portfolio is a mechanism for demonstrating advanced levels of knowledge and skills in perioperative practice. The hallmark of a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in the perioperative setting is to assist in managing the care of complex surgical patients. The portfolio is therefore based on a project whose purpose is to promote quality patient outcomes.
ELIGIBILITY
Check Your Certification Eligibility
Education Requirements
Candidate must meet one of the two requirements:
- Successful completion of an accredited* graduate, post-master’s certificate, or doctoral program in nursing which has prepared the applicant for the CNS role. The program must contain core courses (advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and physical assessment), population-specific classes, and a precepted 500-hour clinical practicum in the CNS role, OR
- A master’s, post-master’s certificate, or doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited CNS program along with documentation of serving in an advanced practice role may be accepted in lieu of graduating from a program which did not include core courses and the precepted 500- hour clinical practicum.
*Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Licensure Requirements
Candidate must meet one of two requirements:
- Hold a current, full, unrestricted license (RN and/or APRN) in the United States, OR
- Hold a current, full, unrestricted RN license with recognition as a CNS by a state board of nursing.
Experience Requirements
Candidate must meet one of the two requirements:
- If enrolled in a CNS program with current accreditation standards*, the candidate may begin work on the CNS-CP Professional Portfolio project prior to graduation. The project must be completed after the CNS degree has been conferred, OR
- If graduated from a CNS program prior to implementation of these standards, candidate must validate 2,400 hours and 2 years as a practicing CNS in the perioperative setting.
* Program must include advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, physical assessment, role-specific classes, and a precepted 500-hour clinical practicum
Additional Requirements
- Have completed a minimum of 2 years and 2,400 hours of experience in perioperative nursing, with a minimum of 50% (1,200 hours) in the intraoperative setting.
- Be currently employed as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the perioperative setting.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Submitting Your Professional Portfolio
- Submission of the CNS-CP Pre-Approval Form:
The following documents must be submitted with the pre-approval form and approved before an applicant may begin the portfolio process:- Photocopies of RN and/or APRN license(s) or a photocopy of the online verification of current licensure from the state board(s) of nursing.
- An original transcript showing degree conferred and all graduate-level coursework. No faxed, scanned, e-mailed, or photocopied transcripts will be accepted.
- Verification of CNS primary certification, if held. A physical or electronic copy is acceptable.
- Once approved, the applicant will be given access to an electronic storage file and instructions on how to complete and submit the professional portfolio.
To prevent your credential from lapsing, a professional portfolio must be submitted for peer review no later than November 1st of the year the credential is due to expire.
If you have questions about applying for CNS-CP certification or would like more information, please contact us.
Certification Fees
CNS-CP Certification Fee
The total CNS-CP certification by portfolio fee is $375.
There is a $40 discount is available for those who hold an active CCI credential outside of CNS-CP®. Discounts cannot be combined and only one discount can be utilized per transaction.
$375
PORTFOLIO PRICE
GET PREPARED
CNS-CP Resources
CNS-CP Handbook
The complete guide on the CNS-CP credential including eligibility requirements.
CCI Staff Support
CCI's nursing staff is available to answer questions about eligibility or the portfolio process.