[hudson_rn]

Trauma, same question to you about your experiences as a broadcast journalist - how have you been able to integrate that into ANP role? What have been some of your greatest challenges and successes?

[traumaRUs]

I really enjoyed my time in journalism but it is a cut-throat business and very political. It wasn't something I was cut out to do. I am much happier in nursing. Probably my greatest accomplishment is getting thru school - lol. When I went back to school for my BSN and MSN, etc., there was a lot going on at home. I really had to blank out much in order to study. I really feel I earned these degrees.

Thanks for asking.

[Om3155]

Hi everyone,I have been accepted to SFSU's Generic Masters program, accelerated RN followed by CNS in
Pediatrics. I am trying to gather more information as to what opportunities would be
available to me with this degree. I've read all of the posts but I still can't seem to get a firm grasp of the
CNS role. This is a second career for me, coming from a desk job, I am interested in
hands on patients care and working with families. I also have a strong interest in
science, especially physiology. What are some of the pros and cons of the CNS degree? Thanks!

[traumaRUs]

Much depends on your state's nurse practice act. If you are considered an advanced practice nurse (APN) then you usually have prescribing priviledges, ability to actually "care and treat" the patient. However, the CNS role has many branches: some CNS's are the change agent of the hospital, while others work in staff development.

Is there a possibility of shadowing a pediatric CNS? Also, does the school provide contacts of alumni who have successfully found jobs? This is another biggie because if your area is saturated, finding a job might be difficult.

[elkpark]

Originally Posted by Om3155

Hi everyone,I have been accepted to SFSU's Generic Masters program, accelerated RN followed by CNS in
Pediatrics. I am trying to gather more information as to what opportunities would be
available to me with this degree. I've read all of the posts but I still can't seem to get a firm grasp of the
CNS role. This is a second career for me, coming from a desk job, I am interested in
hands on patients care and working with families. I also have a strong interest in
science, especially physiology. What are some of the pros and cons of the CNS degree? Thanks!

I would turn your question around and ask you, what do you want to do with your career and what degree do you need to help you do that and reach your goals? How did you decide that you want a peds CNS MSN if you don't know what peds CNSs do and what you can do with that degree? Maybe you need to do more research before you make a decision, because it's an important and expensive decision that you're making. I'm not making any comment about the direct-entry MSN programs in general, pro or con, but I have known a number of people who became NPs, CNMs, etc., through direct-entry programs without any experience in nursing, and then discovered, after they had completed a very expensive and demanding MSN program, that they didn't like being an NP, CNM, whatever, and found themselves with a degree and "career" they didn't want, and a huge load of student loans that they still have to repay ...

Is there some reason why you can't just pursue basic RN licensure, work as an RN for a while, get a better feel for what opportunities are out there, and then make a better-informed decision about furthering your career?

[llg]

Originally Posted by elkpark

I'm not making any comment about the direct-entry MSN programs in general, pro or con, but I have known a number of people who became NPs, CNMs, etc., through direct-entry programs without any experience in nursing, and then discovered, after they had completed a very expensive and demanding MSN program, that they didn't like being an NP, CNM, whatever, and found themselves with a degree and "career" they didn't want, and a huge load of student loans that they still have to repay ...

I have the same concern as elkpark. Once you get some experience as an RN, you'll be in a better position to choose an advanced practice path. If the generic MSN program is right for you, then go for it, by all means. You'll be a step ahead. But I suggest working as an RN a year or so before investing in advanced role education. I too have encountered many people who regreted making such a big investment prematurely.

The CNS role is essentially a "generic role" that focuses at an advanced level on a specific population. What distiguishes the role is its flexibility. Instead of preparing you to perform 1 or 2 specific job functions, a CNS education prepares you to fulfill a variety of job functions that require advanced knowledge of nursing processes related to a specific patient population. A CNS is prepared to provide to provide direct nursing care, be a resource for staff, teach, manage a program, research, evaluate care, etc. for the population selected (e.g. pediatrics).

So, the role does look a little different from place to place ... person to person ... as the needs and the interests of individuals are not the same everywhere. The CNS must be able to design their own role based on the needs of her employer and the needs of patients and nursing staff she works with. That's another reason why it is good to have some clinical experience prior to becoming a CNS. It takes someone "mature in their practice" to have the judgment necessary to create and modify their role to suit the situation.

[Om3155]

Thanks for the replies.

In response to "How did you decide that you want a peds CNS MSN if you don't know what peds CNSs do and what you can do with that degree?" I know I want to work with children, from my past experiences, I am completely sure about this. Since this is a second career for me I am limited as to where I could apply and SFSU is close by and affordable. I have been researching online here, and other sites as well as speaking to professors and other nurses. I will look into shadowing a Pediatric CNS.

I posed the question to find out more about specific personal likes and dislikes about the role. Because I do not want to go through the program and be unhappy with the role. BTW, I am also considering an accelerated BSN program.

Thanks again.

[elkpark]

Plenty of people have long, full careers as pediatric nurses without going to graduate school -- there are many options in pediatric nursing besides getting an MSN and becoming a pedi CNS, and there are much less expensive and demanding ways to get into nursing than direct-entry programs. I'm not particularly trying to discourage you; just encouraging you to look at all your options and not lock yourself into a particular path too early.

I don't understand your comment about how "since this is a second career for me I am limited as to where I could apply." There is no reason that second-career people can't apply to and get accepted into "regular" ADN or BSN nursing programs; you also mentioned the possibility of an accelerated BSN program.

We're getting kinda off-topic, so I'll shut up now ...

[Om3155]

Ok..so we are now officially off topic! I was really just asking about your personal likes and dislikes about the role. Because I am trying to find out ,more than I know now, about the role. This is only one source.

I know you are not discouraging me-and this is what I am doing, looking into all my options. And before posting here I have looked at them all, believe me.

So what do you like and dislike about your role?