CNS as Educators

Hi Chelle - I think first you should see how the CNS role is used in your institution or the place you want to work. The CNS's that I know that work in the CNS role do staff education and process change as the biggest part of their job. However, some are used more as the "clinical bedside expert" and this may be more what you are looking for?

I would check around your area first before you commit to a program. As to online versus brick and mortar, I did a combo program - we did most of our stuff online but then had three face to face meetings a semester. This helped for feedback and allowed for networking too.

Another option might be to join your state's advanced practice nursing organization - they would be able to help with your state-specific issues.

Good luck.

I have spent most of my career in CNS/Staff Development roles. In my experience, the staff development function has been a huge component of the CNS role -- but I realize that might not be the expectation everywhere.

Straight staff development roles are also an option for someone with a CNS education. There are no MSN's with a concentration in staff development: so, staff development instructors are often CNS's with an interest in education. Most education tracks in MSN programs focus on teaching undergraduates in colleges, not on staff development. While the general principles and processes of education are useful to the staff development instructor, a CNS who has focused on learning about teaching is often just as suited for a staff development role.

Hi ChelleChelle,

I am also ready to start an MSN program. My initial idea was to do a strictly nurse educator program. I have since decided to go with a CNS program with optional classes that focus on education. I feel that going with a CNS program, or even an NP program, would open more doors so to speak in the future. I would love to do an NP program, but I'm just not that strong with math and I'm finding that to be an obstacle in some scenarios.

I am currently considering Lynchburg University out of Lynchburg VA. They have an online program but are associated with a "bricks and mortar" school. I personally prefer that versus a completely online based school such as phoenix. The professor I have been in contact with has been very helpful, and quick to reply as well. I have a friend who is in her 3rd class (online) there and seems to really like it. They do have traditional fall, spring and summer semesters, but many of their classes are 8 weeks, so you can start at the different 8 week terms within the semesters.
Here is a link
http://www.luonline.com/index.cfm?PID=14415

I personally do not know any CNS's and wonder how they are utilized in
the facilities in my area. So one on one research has been difficult.

Anyways, good luck!

Last year about this time I was enrolled in a nurse educator track at my school (Saint John Fisher College in Rochester, NY), as I thought that I really wanted to be involved in teaching full-time. Since then, I have helped to open an inpatient palliative care unit. I really liked being involved in program development and specializing in the palliative/hospice field of nursing. This caused me to seriously reconsider what I wanted to be doing in the future.

As defined by the ANA, a CNS is "a clinical expert within a specialty area who promotes the improvement of nursing care through education, consultation, research, and acting as a change agent in the healthcare system."

After looking at all angles, I decided to switch from the educator track to the CNS track, and I have been very satisfied with my decision. As stated above, I will be able to be a consultant, conduct research, and help create change at a unit, facility, and/or community level in addition to teaching. I found this to be both exciting and liberating! I guess what I'm trying to say is that I look back and feel that I would have been painting myself into a corner with a degree in nursing education, as I would have only had 2 choices after graduation: staff development or academia. As a CNS, however, I will also be able to pursue other avenues such as program development and evaluation, clinical research, plus still be directly involved in patient care. I do intend to be involved in staff development, and I also plan to serve as an adjunct faculty member at one of the local colleges. Basically, I will be able to have the best of both worlds as a CNS.

So, bottom line: you will have to decide whether or not you really want to be doing nothing but teaching after graduation. If you do, then by all means go with the educator track, as your clinical practicum will be geared toward the teaching role. However, if this is not the case, then you will have to decide whether you want to be an NP or a CNS. Once again, look at the roles that you would be fulfilling after graduation - do you want to be diagnosing and treating patients, or do you want to be more geared toward staff/patient education, research, consultation, and program development? This should help you decide what avenue you will want to pursue in graduate school.

Hope this helps! Good luck!!!

Mark

Good points Mark...that is what took me to CNS too. You should also consider your state's nurse practice act. For instance, in GA, CNS's are not consider advanced practice nurses (APNs). That means...no seeing and treating patients, no prescriptive authority. In IL, where I practe, CNS is lumped together with NP, CNM and CRNA. I have prescriptive authority, DEA number, NPI number, and am fully credentialled at five hospitals. It makes job opportunities much more widespread.

I, too, am thinking about entering a program that would prepare me for diabetes education. That seems to be my niche. I've heard that there is an advanced practice certification for diabetes management out there? Has anyone heard of it? If so, what kind of educationcal path are we talking about? If anyone knows anything, I'd appreciate any info at all.

ANCC offers certification in Advanced Diabetes Management. This certification is for APN's, dietitians, and pharmacists. APN's earn the credentials APRN-BC-ADM. Details are found in this link:
http://www.nursecredentialing.org/ce...ility/adm.html

The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators also offers a multidisciplinary certification program that focuses on diabetes education. You can get certified by this group as an RN. You earn the credentials CDE after your name once you pass their exam. The details on how one can get certified are found here: http://www.ncbde.org/eligibility.cfm

Hope this helps.

I am currently finishing up my MSN. I live in PA and will be an advanced practice nurse (broad umbrella term) and a CNS once I take the certification exam. My specialty is Community Health. I am currently a part time clinical instructor of student LPN's and AD, RN students. I would be eligible for full time education position with the completion of my MSN.
I do feel that the CNS track gives you a much broader range of employment possibilities than nurse educator track. However, as was pointed out by someone else, if you took some education courses (I took 2 as electives), you would be more than prepared for clinical nurse educator position.

Good luck in whatever you choose!

I have recently graduated with an MSN specializing in Education. I have been offered a job as a Clinical Specialist in the facility where I did my Practicum.
I have also interviewed at a Community College where the interviewer has an MEd. She told me she needs to return to school to obtain her MSN because the Board of Registration in Massachusetts is requiring Educators to have their MSN.
What do you want to do?
Do you forsee teaching students in the future?
I would discuss options with other nurses in your State and find out the requirements.
You may do well by getting a degree that will open more doors for you.
I wish you the best.