Is an MSN an advanced practitice nurse? ( oops --venting too)
HMMM! Very fitting for today. I sat in a meeting where I was informed that since I have "merely a MSN and am not a CNS" that I am not considered an advanced practice nurse in the state of OH. I was a bit stunned. I spend oodles of money, invested gallons of blood,sweat and tears into a dual masters in nursing education and administration -- only to be told that I have not achieved an advanced practice status. Is that accurate? Does the advanced practice nurse have to be a NP or a clin spec.? Our MSN program referred to all of us ( whether educators, administrators, NPs, or Clinical Nurse Specialists) as advanced practice nurses. This person (who would love to have the earth open up and swallow me whole) said that the laws in MI must be more lenient than they are in OH -- because having a MSN doesn't make one an advanced practice nurse -- extra clinical hours (such as those necessary to become a CNS) determine that."
I am trying not to let this person intimidate and bully me. She has a very strong, overbearing personality and is an extremely intelligent woman -- however, she tends to be a bit manipulative and is not friendly to folks. When I started in this position, I believe our personality differences made me much easier to approach and talk with -- I am thinking that has made her feel threatened -- I do NOT want her job, I just want recognition of the fact that the degree I worked so hard to get is valid -- I just want to be able to do what I love (teach nursing excellence) and not have to be constantly fielding digs like these.