Help! Perinatal CNS v.s. CNL v.s. MSN-education

Specialties CNS

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I am currently enrolled in an MSN-education program, specifically the RN-MSN path. I have worked for 17 yrs as an L/D nurse and fulfill a lot of the roles of a CNS, I teach, precept, work on instituting EBP into our unit etc... so when I heard about the perinatal CNS role, it appealed to me. But now I am hearing conflicting thoughts. I can find very few schools that even offer this. I am reading this is a position that many are regretting. I really need some guidance! My ultimate goal is to stay in OB, this is where my experience is. What, in your opinion would be my best course of action, the best bang for buck, and time in school? I'm just getting started, so I want to get started on the right path. I would appreciate any guidance from those in these type of roles.

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Have you thought about being a midwife? It seems they are becoming more and more popular, even in hospitals.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Is a CNS used in your hospital? Although you have many years in L&D, the economy has forced many of us to spread our wings to other specialties, primary care in order to find jobs. Do you want to be an APN or the more traditional CNS role?

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I have thought about midwifery, but I do not want the extra liability and crazy hours.

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We do not have a perinatal CNS but I work in a small community hospitals. It seems to me the larger hospitals are the ones to utilize this role. I do not want to be an APN, I really just want to work in my specialized clinical practice, teaching, keeping up with the latest evidence, writing policies, keeping up with competencies etc... I already do many of these things in the small hospital I work at now, but I would like to make it my main job, not trying to fit it in when I'm not busy with patients. I am finding the confusion stems from the difference from state to state in licensing. In MN, a perinatal CNS must currently jump through many hoops, send in proof of hours in specialty etc... Confusing.

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Specializes in APRN, ACNP-BC, CNOR, RNFA.

The APNs in our OB dept. work in the clinic, triage, and post-partum. We have an ANP, FNP, and they're now looking for a CNM. This is a large underinsured/uninsured hospital district, so it depends on the setting you're seeking. They all work 8-4:30 since it's university affiliated and there are OB/GYN residents in house 24/7. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I got my MSN in Perinatal Nursing many, many years ago -- specializing in the Neonatal side of things, not the OB. I worked as a Neonatal CNS for several years ... eventually got a PhD ... and now work in Nursing Professional Development (staff education).

The CNS role is terrific in theory -- but politically, it was crippled in the turf wars and budget cuts of the 1980's and 1990's. Unless you work in a region where it is thriving, I think you may be best off specializing in education. You'll probably have more job options as an educator -- either student education or staff education.

But that's just my opion. I have stats or anything to back that up.

Edit: Oops! I mean, "I don't have stats or anything to back that up." I'm sorry for the possibly significant typo. That may depend on your particular local job market.

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Thank you, this is very helpful information!

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student nurse here, Can someone please explain the difference between an advanced practice nurse and a clinical nurse specialists?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

@procrastinator911 - can be kinda confusing. An APN advanced practice nurse encompasses: CRNA, NP, CNM (certified nurse midwife) and in some states, CNS. I practice in IL where CNS = APN. In other words, I do the same job as an NP. However, that is not true in all states. In some states, the CNS is considered more of a clinical leader role. Hope that explains it.....

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student nurse here Can someone please explain the difference between an advanced practice nurse and a clinical nurse specialists?[/quote']

In some states, (but I don't know if in ALL states) a CNS is an APN. There are 4 APNs (advanced practice nurse). They are Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, and certified Nurse Midwife.

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