Certified Perioperative CNS
CCI offers the Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative Certification credential (CNS-CP) for advanced practice registered nurses who have completed graduate preparation (Master’s or Doctorate) in the CNS role.
Certification
About the CNS-CP
We offer this credential to recognize the important role CNSs have in promoting optimal perioperative patient outcomes.
- Promotion of patient safety
- Expert guidance and support of nurses and other members of the perioperative team
- Facilitating the use of evidence-based practice
- Reducing costs through the design, implementation, assessment, and evaluation of perioperative interventions
- Recommending innovative solutions to identified gaps in health care delivery systems
Specialty certification helps bridge the gap between initial certification as an APRN and specialty practice.
- Validates perioperative competency at an advanced practice level
- Positions the CNS for future developments in advanced practice
- Meets Consensus Model guidelines
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.
Overview
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.
Professional Portfolio
Project Subject Areas
Apply for CNS-CP Certification
Start your path to certification by applying for the CNS-CP credential. Learn more about the application process, credential components, and benefits to CNS-CP certification.
