Public Health/Community Clinical Nurse Specialist - Page 2

MA and NH so far.
Licensed also in CT and OR-haven't worked there yet.

Nevermind

Again - no snark intended. But I would suggest that unless your activities are governed by the board of medicine in your state, you are not practicing medicine.

If you are governed by the board of nursing, you are practicing NURSING as an APN.

Sycamorestudent -Think we got away from the original question. Let me rephrase, a CNS (in a majority of states is recognized as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). A RN with a MPH is not an APRN.

Thanks Mary for the clarification in the matter.

Quote from mmcgill

Sycamorestudent -Think we got away from the original question. Let me rephrase, a CNS (in a majority of states is recognized as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). A RN with a MPH is not an APRN.

I understand that in theory, But in practice does a Public Health CNS truly act as a APRN or are they in more of a change agent role? I'm really not familiar with the specialty at all. If it is the latter, i.e. not diagnosing or writing prescriptions, it seems a RN with a MPH could fill the role.

They can, depends on the job description of whichever employer is hiring. The good thing about the CNS role is that you can do either or. You are right if you are not wanting to do the APRN role then MPH would be ok. My wife is similar. She is doing her MHA, but I told her she should have done an Advanced Practice type schooling, that way she would have more options. We have a lot of APRN's in administrative roles at our hospital. However, if you are certain that the APRN role is not for you then MPH would be fine. Note as well, that I am an Adult acute and critical care CNS, verified through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, this covers a wide variety of patients, which provides more marketability. Overall, until all states are standardized, the CNS role will continue to confuse people. Hope this helps