CNS jobs

Specialties CNS

Published

Specializes in Neurology, Long Term Care, Med-Surg..

Is it difficult to find a CNS job? I am considering switching my MSN focus from AG-NP to AG-CNS. Does any one have insite into the future of the CNS profession?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My question too. Not finding too many (job) opportunities online as compared to NP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I have seen CNS provided clinical leadership in hospitals. Either as charge nurse, nurse manager, or educator. There are more direct care jobs where the role is an NP.. NP's have prescriptive authority in more states..

The APRN consensus model is trying to help.

I don't know about cns jobs in community health.

I think the VA hires CNSs

I am a CNS working in a NP role, now called APRN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I've been a CNS since 2006 and since I work in an APRN role, I wish I had done NP. Much depends on your state. If your state says CNS=APN then you can apply for NP roles. If not, then I would look to hospitals for positions which require leadership and focused clinical expertise.

IMHO - charge nurse or educator does not require CNS.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
IMHO - charge nurse or educator does not require CNS.

(And yet "educator" is one of the basic pieces of the CNS role, and always has been ...)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Expand your search for roles without the "CNS" title. Consider jobs in staff development, patient education, program cordinator, etc. That's one big advantage of the CNS role, it prepares you to wear many hats in a variety of leadership roles. And there are lots of jobs out there that don't exactly match up with a specific academic degree -- for which a CNS might be a very good fit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I agree about not looking for the "CNS" in the title but rather looking for the role requirements. Where I work, Master's prepared RN's some with CNS backgrounds work in many different capacities in Staff Development and Education, Organ Transplant Coordinators (which require a lot of patient education and follow-up), Mechanical Circulatory Service Coordinators (LVADs, ECMO support). These are very challenging roles on their own requiring a high level of expertise so the lack of prescriptive authority is not such a big deal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Some of us with CNS like variety. I have worked as a manager, consultant, educator, and now NP. I have a CNS friend who took a management job after years of prescribing. I like what lig and Juan (above) say--to search for roles- not CNS. I think it is good to be eligible for prescription authority..gives you more options..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neurology, Long Term Care, Med-Surg..

You all are great. Thank you! CNS is definitely the route I want to take, but I had to make sure it was sunny on the other side before I jumped the fence. No big complaints about bedside, but I know it'll get old as I get old and as the older get bigger and so on.

Next obstacle is finding a good CNS program. NP's are taking over!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment