[nurbac]

The role of the CNS really varies from institution to institution. For instance I am responsible for 5 med/surg units in terms of monitoring standard of care, nurse development, policy review and change. Some CNSs focus on a particular disease process such as CHF or diabetes. Usually you are "assigned" to specific areas. Again, there is not a universal definition of the CNS role and your priviliges will vary from state to state. I practice in Alabama and we are required to have a second license to use the title "CNS" but all states do not require that. Hope this helps some.

Originally Posted by ChrisA

Almost all of the direct entry MS/MSN programs I've been looking at provide concentrations in both NP and CNS areas. So will CNSs typically, for instance, work the whole hospital on "rounds" stopping by several units to check on a specific aspect of patient care?

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by nurbac

The role of the CNS really varies from institution to institution. For instance I am responsible for 5 med/surg units in terms of monitoring standard of care, nurse development, policy review and change. Some CNSs focus on a particular disease process such as CHF or diabetes. Usually you are "assigned" to specific areas. Again, there is not a universal definition of the CNS role and your priviliges will vary from state to state. I practice in Alabama and we are required to have a second license to use the title "CNS" but all states do not require that. Hope this helps some.

It does, but I've got a few more questions (those who know me will not be surprised. ). For those of you who are CNSs, what percentage of your time would you say is pt contact, and policy management, and education, and research, and further training. One of the programs I'm reviewing has a CNS focus in "Adult care"; does this correspond to a fixed exam with a given licensing body? Would there be a corresponding organization that I could contact for more information?

[nurbac]

The percentages of time would depend on how the institution utilized the CNS role. I spend about 70% of my time in nurse development, 20% in direct patient care, and 10% in the other stuff. This may change as I am beginning to work on a stroke project. If you go to the ANCC (American Nursing Credentialliing Center) you can find the exams offered for the CNS. They are somewhat limited by specialty with Med/Surg being sort of a generalist exam to hold certification. For instance I am certified in medical surgical nursing as well as advanced diabetes management. Good luck! Let me know if I can help! If you would like to e mail me personally my address is billiecr@earthlink.net. There is also a list serve for Clinical Nurse Specialists that you can hook up with.

Originally Posted by ChrisA

It does, but I've got a few more questions (those who know me will not be surprised. ). For those of you who are CNSs, what percentage of your time would you say is pt contact, and policy management, and education, and research, and further training. One of the programs I'm reviewing has a CNS focus in "Adult care"; does this correspond to a fixed exam with a given licensing body? Would there be a corresponding organization that I could contact for more information?

[JWRN]

I am Critical care CNS. I cover 5 units right now, as one of the three of us resigned..getting married, moving back closer to home, etc...So, myself and the other CNS divided up her units....
I have 2 ICU's and 3 Tele units....That I cover...mostly staff competencies, staff education....Lots of committees (loads of fun)...Peer review cases to do, clinical risk review cases to review, policies/procedures to review, new nurses/PCT's to see and do their initial schedule and get them a preceptor...skills day which we have 7-8 times a year....lastly, the internship that we do twice a year....So it is a lot of work....I rarely do patient care anymore...I miss it sometimes and the 3 days a week too.....Good luck to all those who are thinking about CNS track...I enjoyed mine, so much I am in PhD program.....Best of luck.....

[FLCRNA2B]

Is there much of a difference between ARNP and CNS salary?

[pediCNS]

You can follow the path you choose with either path. The biggest difference is prescriptive privileges. Not all states allow CNS to obtain them. However, in Indiana, with the appropriate preparation and continuing education, it is possible. I do agree that the primary roles of clinical nurse specialists have always been research and teaching, but there is also a huge amount of family contact. A MSN is required entry level into practice except for those persons grandfathered in years ago. You can do an ASN to MSN bridge for either degree. You need to think about how you want to work with young women in preventing pregnancy. If a school based clinic is what you are interested in and you want to prescribe the meds, then a PNP is the right choice. However, if you want to be more of a sounding board, community liasion, educator about birth control, then you might want to think CNS. Either major has a ANCC certification examination. There is also now talk about making a clinical doctorate a prerequisite for either role.I hope this helps. PS, I love my CNS role with children with developmental disabilities. Good luck.


Alicia

[surfer betty crocker]

There is also now talk about making a clinical doctorate a prerequisite for either role.

Is this possible prereq. a nation-wide issue? Meaning that in order to function as ANP or CNS you must completed your PhD?

[elkpark]

Is this possible prereq. a nation-wide issue? Meaning that in order to function as ANP or CNS you must completed your PhD?

"Clinical doctorates" are the DSN or DNSc, which are very different from a PhD (the focus is on clinical practice, not scholarship and research -- comparable to an MD or JD). As far as I've heard so far, this is being "talked about" in the same sense that making the BSN the entry level for nursing has been "talked about" all these years -- lots of discussion in academia and nursing leadership circles, but nowhere close to actually happening. Even if it comes to pass, I'm sure existing APRNs would be grandfathered in. Not something anyone needs to worry about just yet ...