[llg]

Originally Posted by Wanna_BA_Nurse

Does anyone know how long it takes to be either one? Like, does one take a masters? Shorter time frame? Thanks for any answers and consideration!

At this time, both the CNS role and the NP role require at least a Master's Degree. However, there is a rapidly growing movement to require a doctoral degree (the DNP) for NP roles. It's not required yet, but it may be by the time you are at that point in your career.

[Wanna_BA_Nurse]

Originally Posted by llg

At this time, both the CNS role and the NP role require at least a Master's Degree. However, there is a rapidly growing movement to require a doctoral degree (the DNP) for NP roles. It's not required yet, but it may be by the time you are at that point in your career.

Shoot! I can't stay in school that long! I hope it doesn't happen...I like it at a masters degree. Well, thanks for telling me! I probably sound like a total bimbo right now so I'll shush. But seriously, thanks!

[czyja]

Originally Posted by Wanna_BA_Nurse

Shoot! I can't stay in school that long! I hope it doesn't happen...I like it at a masters degree. Well, thanks for telling me! I probably sound like a total bimbo right now so I'll shush. But seriously, thanks!

You don't sound like a bimbo.

I wouldn't rule out anything in life. You'd be quite surprised at how fast time flies when you get busy.

[ANPFNPGNP]

Originally Posted by traumaRUs

I live in a state where CNS's are considered APNs and by that, they mean we have prescriptive authority and ability to bill Medicare/Medicaid. I knew this when I went into it and this is what I wanted. To be honest, I wouldn't have considered the CNS unless it had prescriptive authority and the ability to order tests, interpret the results, diagnose and treat.

I appreciate the info in the way things were originally.

Can you also be credentialed with insurance companies, i.e., BCBS, Humana, etc? Unfortunately, when it comes to job opportunities, it only matters if you can bill for your services.

[ricknick92]

I have just finished my masters and am a CNS. The college I attended also had an NP program (which is what I thought I wanted when I started). The further I got in the program, the more I knew I wanted to be a CNS. I did clinicals with NPs and their role is very patient oriented from what I see. They both worked in hospitals and had their own patient loads like resident physicians. They were responsible for all the care the patient received while hospitalizd. For me, the CNS role was the right one because I wanted to be an educator and was a bit ambivalent about the responsibilities of the NP role. Here in NY the CNS cannot prescribe and their role is more education/research/change agent.I hope this was helpful.

[traumaRUs]

Yes, my services can be billed to SOME insurances: BC/BS for one...that is the biggie here in IL.

[llg]

Originally Posted by ricknick92

I have just finished my masters and am a CNS. The college I attended also had an NP program (which is what I thought I wanted when I started). The further I got in the program, the more I knew I wanted to be a CNS. I did clinicals with NPs and their role is very patient oriented from what I see. They both worked in hospitals and had their own patient loads like resident physicians. They were responsible for all the care the patient received while hospitalizd. For me, the CNS role was the right one because I wanted to be an educator and was a bit ambivalent about the responsibilities of the NP role. Here in NY the CNS cannot prescribe and their role is more education/research/change agent.I hope this was helpful.

I see you are a relatively new member here at allnurses. Welcome!

A lot of people don't consider a CNS role when they are doing their undergraduate work or shortly thereafter. It seems most students only "see" the NP roles, nursing school faculty roles, and management roles. They don't seem to realize that there are a lot of other good options out there -- and a CNS education is a great foundation for most roles.

I look forward to reading your future posts.

[mona b RN]

Originally Posted by ricknick92

I have just finished my masters and am a CNS. The college I attended also had an NP program (which is what I thought I wanted when I started). The further I got in the program, the more I knew I wanted to be a CNS. I did clinicals with NPs and their role is very patient oriented from what I see. They both worked in hospitals and had their own patient loads like resident physicians. They were responsible for all the care the patient received while hospitalizd. For me, the CNS role was the right one because I wanted to be an educator and was a bit ambivalent about the responsibilities of the NP role. Here in NY the CNS cannot prescribe and their role is more education/research/change agent.I hope this was helpful.

Thank you for your informative post. I am curious as to what other states do not grant prescriptive privilege to the CNS?

[JacangalRN]

At the university I'm attending here in south east MI, they offer the CNS and MSN education as dual degrees.

[Joe NightingMale]

This has proven a pretty good thread.

I've been trying to make the "CNS vs NP" decision myself for quite a while. And I've bounced back a forth a few times.

I might do like some of trauma's classmates and just work as a clinical specialist and skip the extra classes for the CNS or NP. I've been working as a PCT and I find that I really like talking to patients and doing the hands-on work. The NPs I see do rounds with the doctors, something that I have no interest in (no interest in primary care either). From this thread it seems that a CNS does more education and research than patient care, so that really won't work for me either.