PEDS CNS exam to be retired Dec 2015

Specialties CNS

Published

Ugh!!!

I'm an adult CNS (that exam is already retired) which is okay since I practice with adults.

However, in the mail today, I got notice that the Peds CNS exam is also being retired in December 2015 and at the moment I don't see kids so I was planning to take the test.

Anyone else???

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Well, I've kinda made the decision to go back to school and forget all this CNS stuff now. However, I have an MSN, and two post MSN certs already and I've been an APN for >8 years.

Needless to say all the schools I've looked at want me to repeat everything which is totally bogus! Ugh....

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Specializes in nursing education.

Since I'm graduating in a few months I've been watching the job boards closely and our regional pediatric hospital has several CNS positions available. Clearly there is some demand for the role.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I hope so - I see that you are in the midwest. May I ask which state? I'm in central IL where CNS=NP=APN.

However, soon CNS = RN as we lose our ability to recertify via testing.

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Specializes in nursing education.

TraumaRUs, I'm in Wisconsin.

It's a weird time. CNS used to be "senior nurses," now everything seems to be about the CNL, at least on paper. I haven't seen any CNL positions though, and many looking for CNS (mostly critical care and ED, both adult and peds).

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Thanks SHGR.

What a mess!

I'm facing going back to school now at a time where I truly thought school was done for me. And....the kicker of course is that the CNS doesn't even count for anything when you look at a post MSN FNP!

Yep, I've talked with three institutions in the last two days and submitted my transcripts and they all say that even though I have completed the 3 P's twice and have over 1200 hrs post grad clinicals + 8 years working as an APN, I still have to retake courses.

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Specializes in CNS, PMHNP, EMS, ER, Instructor.

I would definitely look around - I am a recent Adult CNS and I am attending Rush University to get my PMHNP. Rush took many of my CNS classes towards my PMHNP.

I went through nursingcas.org (I think that is the correct URL) and looked at the programs listed there until I found one that met my criteria.

Looking at your posting you are about as old as me - yes it sucks going back to school. But there are a lot of programs out there - one will hopefully fit your schedule.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Elk Park.. Where is the discussion between the two psych specialty groups happening about the Psych CNS role? And which two groups: APNA, I presume, and who else? I am also a psych CNS (adult).

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I took and passed the Adult Clinical Specialist Exam today?!! It is not retired yet!!

Good Luck everyone

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Congrats,,

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

@Bholi - the adult med surg CNS was retired and now the peds CNS will retire in Dec 2015.

You are correct that the adult health CNS is still viable....at least at this time.

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Elk Park.. Where is the discussion between the two psych specialty groups happening about the Psych CNS role? And which two groups: APNA, I presume, and who else? I am also a psych CNS (adult).

ISPN (the International Society of Psychiatric Nurses, International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses) is the other psych specialty organization (the one I've belonged to for many years; I've never been an APNA member).

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

It now appears that they are NOT retiring the exam at the end of 2015?

Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

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