Cardiac Surgery Adult – CSC Adult (AACN)
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: August 2019
OVERVIEW
Certification Description
The Cardiac Surgery Adult (CSC Adult) certification is a subspecialty certification that certifies that an RN has the skill level and expertise to provide direct patient care to acutely and critically ill adult cardiac patients in the first 48 hours after surgery. Nurses with this certification typically work in cardiac surgery settings and post-anesthesia care units.
Nurses with this credential may have career advancement opportunities and higher pay that other professionals may not be eligible for.
Skills Focus
The certification focuses on the following areas:
- Ability to recognize heart failure
- Knowledge of ABG interpretation and hemodynamic monitoring
- Understanding of coagulation, clotting times and QT interval monitoring
- Competency working with electrolyte imbalances
- Ability to identify non-cardiac chest pain
- Knowledge of cardiac enzymes, electrolytes, BMP and creatinine
- Familiarity with postoperative impaired conditions
- Understanding of incision assessment and management
- Proficiency working with Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
Exam Objectives
Exam Details
- Issuing Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
- Prerequisites: Applicants must hold an active RN or APRN license; applicants must complete 1 of the following practice hours requirements: Applicant has 1750+ hours working with acutely/critically ill adults patients in the last 2 years with 875+ hours being with cardiac patients post-operatively and/or applicant must have been an RN/APRN for 5+ years, with 2,000 hours in direct care of critically/acutely ill patients. Furthermore, applicant must have 1,000+ hours working with cardiac patients post-operatively
- Questions: 90
- Time: 120 minutes
- Cost: $130 for AACN members and $215 for non-members
- Re-certification and certification renewal: Every 3 years
- Exam Outline and Certification Handbook
Other relevant details: Exam is given at PSI/AMP testing centers
CSC Adult (AACN) Careers
Critical Care Registered Nurse (RN) Careers
Jobs you can get with a CSC Adult (AACN) certification (additional requirements may apply):
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Certified Critical Care Nurse
- Cardiac Nurse
Salary (Base Level)
A specialty certification may not only increase your employability, but may increase your earnings potential as well. Keep in mind that your actual salary can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Reference salary for the Registered Nurse (RN) shown. Salary based on 2019 data.
National average per year: $71,730
National average per hour: $34.48
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
CSC Adult (AACN) Training
Exam Preparation
- Study from the key topics on the Exam Handbook
- Complete practice questions
- Consider flash cards
- Review study resources and materials
- Take an online review course
Important: This is not a complete list of all certification training and learning options available. Remember to thoroughly research and choose study materials that fit your learning style and needs. This step is crucial to help you succeed in your certification exam.
@Raising Careers Inbox
Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you a summary of everything new on Raising Careers once a week.