Can A CNS work as a staff nurse?

[dreamct]

SO I got in to a CNS program. CNS was a long term goal but with the GI Bill running out a a few other things going on it seems like a good time to go to school.

However I have 2 young kiddos and am enjoying working per diem 1-2 days a week.

I am an ER nurse and I like it (dont love it, that's OK I love my other job-mommy)

But I see doing this ER Per diem gig for 5-7 more years. Then going back and finding a full time job I love CNS-the traditional role seems to be a good fit. I never wanted to be an NP so I am not interested in that aspect of the role.

My question if I get my Master's take the board and pass can I continue working as a staff per diem RN?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I worked as a staff nurse while I was a CNS, in two different hospitals. I got no extra pay for my extra education level, nor anything else extra. I agree, that one is held to higher expectations if he/she is an advanced practice nurse than if not. If you should know something, since you're a CNS, it will be expected that you know it, even if it isn't in your role in the job you're doing.

In my state, an APN license isn't required to practice as a CNS, only to prescribe. In fact, when I applied for prescriptive authority, I was told there is no such thing as a CNS license. Then, surprisingly, after I got prescriptive authority, I got a CNS license in the mail. I don't think the people I talked to knew all the ins and outs.

I think there's lots of grey in this and you should be careful.

As for the difficulty finding CNS schools...I think NP schools are more preferred these days and maybe CNS education is being phased out. ??

When I worked in a general hospital, every floor had an CNS, including the ED. My CNS job there was phased out as "not needed."