In this webinar, we review the Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative Certification Exam (CNS-CP) and who it is for, how to prepare for it, and how it will elevate the care given to patients. The purpose of the CNS-CP Exam is to provide recognition for those CNSs serving in an advanced practice perioperative specialty. Please watch the recorded version on YouTube at https://youtu.be/MtjcBYnFu2o

1. CNS PERIOPERATIVE
SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

2. HOUSEKEEPING DETAILS
• Today’s webinar is being recorded and will be
available soon.
• Submit questions via the chat feature in the lower left
hand corner of your screen.
• Questions will be answered during and at the end of
the webinar.
• If you need additional information about CNS-CP
certification, please call us at 888-257-2667.
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3. YOUR HOST FOR TONIGHT’S
WEBINAR
•Julie Mower, MSN, RN, CNS, CNOR, CNS-CP
Nurse Manager for Education and Credentialing,
CCI
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4. OBJECTIVES
1. Define advanced practice nursing.
2. Discuss educational preparation required for the
APRN.
3. Summarize major components of APRN Consensus
Model as they apply to specialty certification.
4. Discuss the process for applying for the CNS-CP
exam.
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5. An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN):
• Has completed a graduate-level (Master’s, Doctoral,
or Post-Master’s certificate) education program
• Has obtained a license to practice in one of the
following roles:
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Practitioner
• Certified Nurse Midwife
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
These nurses can diagnose illnesses and prescribe
treatments and medications

6. POST-MASTER’S CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
• University of Detroit, Mercy
• University of CA San Francisco School of Nursing
• University of Missouri
• University of Michigan
• Check with the school where you completed your
master’s program
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7. TRENDS WORTH PAYING ATTENTION TO
• Many states are beginning to require certification to
practice as an APRN.
• Many schools are phasing out their MSN programs
and offering a BSN-DNP program.
• Check grandfathering clauses in your state.
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8. DEFINITION OF CNS
• Licensed registered nurses who have graduate preparation (Master’s or
Doctorate) in nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.
• Clinical Nurse Specialists are expert clinicians in a specialized area of
nursing practice. The specialty may be identified in terms of:
• Population (e.g. pediatrics, geriatrics, women’s health)
• Setting (e.g. critical care, emergency room)
• Disease or Medical Subspecialty (e.g. diabetes, oncology)
• Type of Care (e.g. psychiatric, rehabilitation)
• Type of Problem (e.g. pain, wounds, stress)
• Clinical Nurse Specialists practice in a wide variety of health care
settings.
• From: NACNS. (2016). CNS FAQs. Retrieved July 25, 2016 from
http://nacns.org/html/cns-faqs1.php
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9. APRN CONSENSUS MODEL
• Collaboration between National Council of State
Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) APRN Advisory
Committee and APRN Consensus Work Group.
• Published in 2008.
• Expected implementation 2015.
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10. PURPOSE OF CONSENSUS MODEL
• Provide standardized definitions for APRN roles
• Identify four essential elements of APRN regulation
• LACE (Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education)
• Ultimate goal: Promote patient safety and protect the
public
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11. CNS SCOPE OF PRACTICE
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12. CNS PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY
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13. CONSENSUS MODEL FOR APRN REGULATION
CNS FOCUS
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14. CONSENSUS MODEL & SPECIALTY
CERTIFICATION
• Most CNSs have specialized in either a specific
patient population or health care need (e.g.,
congestive heart failure or pediatrics) or setting (e.g.,
acute care or perioperative).
• Specialty education/practice is in addition to
education in an APRN role/population foci.
• State boards will not regulate the APRN at the level
of specialties.
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15. SOUNDS GREAT-AM I ELIGIBLE?
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Eligibility criteria
• Includes education, licensure, and experience
• For more information go tohttp://www.cc-
institute.org/cns-cp/certification

16. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA-EDUCATION
Must meet one of the following requirements:
• Graduated from an accredited (CCNE or NLNAC)
graduate, post-master’s certificate, or
postgraduate program in nursing (Master’s or
higher) which has prepared applicant for CNS
role. Program contains 3P’s and 500 hour
practicum.
OR
• Graduation from CNS program with documented
advanced practice role in lieu of 3P’s and 500
hour practicum.
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17. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA-LICENSURE
• Current, full, unrestricted license (RN and/or APRN)
or recognition as a CNS by State Board of Nursing
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18. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA-LICENSURE cont.
• Optional:
• APRN license.
• Recognition as a CNS by State Board of
Nursing.
• Primary population certification as a CNS.
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19. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA-EXPERIENCE
Must meet one of the following requirements:
• Applicants may sit for CNS perioperative
specialty certification exam upon graduation from
an accredited CNS prepared Master’s program
which includes 3P’s and 500 clinical hours
OR
• Applicants who graduated from accredited
programs prior to implementation of Consensus
Model education standards must validate 2,400
practice hours and two years as a practicing CNS
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20. IN ADDITION....
• You must have completed a minimum of 2 years and
2,400 hours as a perioperative nurse.
• Of those 2, 400 hours, 1,200 must be in the
intraoperative setting.
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21. WHAT THE CNS-CP CREDENTIAL WILL DO
• Validates the unique skills and knowledge of the CNS
practicing in the perioperative setting.
• Aligns us with other specialty nursing organizations
that offer an advanced practice certification.
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22. WHAT THE CNS-CP WILL NOT DO
• Take the place of initial licensure/certification as a
CNS.
• Eliminate the need to obtain a master’s or DNP
degree.
• Add an additional population focus or role to the
Consensus Model.
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23. SUBJECT AREAS FOR EXAM
Domain
Required number of
contact hours if scored
less than at competency
level
1: Clinical expert in the delivery of advanced practice
perioperative care
30 questions
2: Consultant (Intra-and multidisciplinary) 15 questions
3: Education (nurse, other healthcare providers, patient, family,
and community
15 questions
4: Clinical inquiry 15 questions
5: Organizational and systems thinking 17 questions
6. Professional accountability 8 questions
TOTAL 100 scored questions
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24. EXAM PREP/ RESOURCES
• http://www.cc-institute.org/cns-cp
• Handbook
• FAQ’s
• Exam updates
• Eligibility requirements
• Application form
• APRN website “APRNsights”
• Sample job descriptions
• Core curriculums with perioperative
implications
• Resources
• References
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25. STUDY TIPS
1. Use blueprint to develop study plan.
2. Review task and knowledge statements and
reference books listed on bibliography at
http://www.cc-institute.org/docs/aprn
3. Look at gaps in primary education and spend extra
time addressing those.
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26. 26

27. APPLICATION
• The following must be submitted before approval to
take the exam can be granted:
• Application form (downloaded at http://www.cc-
institute.org/cns-cp/application).
• Original transcript-no copies!!
• Current resume or CV.
• Verification of RN/APRN license.
• Verification of primary certification, if held.
• Cost= $425. No discount for AORN membership.
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28. RECERTIFICATION
• Certification is good for 5 years.
• Recertify via combination of contact hours and
activities.
• Number of contact hours required is based on
performance on the exam
• Domains scored at less than competent
• CH offerings must be related to the domain(s)
• Require 10 pharm credits regardless of performance
on exam.
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29. Questions?
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30. REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
• American Nurses Association. (2011). Advanced Practice Nurses.
Available at
http://nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/AdvancedPracticeNurses
• CCI. APRNsights. Available at http://www.cc-institute.org/aprn
• CCI. CNS-CP. Available at http://www.cc-institute.org/cns-cp
• National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS). Available
at http://nacns.org/
• NCSBN. (2008). Consensus Modelfor APRN regulation: Licensure,
Accreditation, Certification, and Education. Available at
https://www.ncsbn.org/7_23_08_Consensue_APRN_Final.pdf
• AORN Advanced Practice Specialty Assembly. Available at
www.aorn.org

31. Please know that the CCI staff is here to help
you achieve CNS perioperative specialty
certification.
If you have questions, please contact us at
888-257-2667 or info@cc-institute.org
www.cc-institute.org 2011