The standards have been designed to reflect a minimum of two years practice in cardiovascular nursing. They assume a competency in general nursing practice and allow for recognition of excellence in a specialty practice. The standards support the beliefs and values of the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses (CCCN). The standards acknowledge and embrace the foundations of standards previously developed by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), provincial nursing associations and other specialty nursing groups. These standards are designed to guide cardiovascular nurses, in any area of practice, to achieve quality care to persons manifesting some aspect of cardiovascular disease