When it comes to NPs and other APNs, is the answer always "It depends"?

Specialties NP

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

A crabby question for sure.

But it seems that nothing is set, nothing well-defined when it comes to advanced practice. Unless you're a CRNA, PhD, or administrator, which seem to be better defined. But I'm not interested in those roles, I'm interested in NP/CNS/CNL.

And it seems that those roles vary considerably depending upon state and institution.

Which is frustrating, as I'm trying to plot my post-graduation course. I'm getting a better idea of what I want to do, but not what position(s) would fit those goals....

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

what is a CNL ?

Where I work at the role of the CNS and the NP is both mixed and delineated.

We have a CNS who works on my unit, but she does education issues and handles charting issues.. we computer chart. She doesnt manage patients at all. On the other hand, I know of a psyche CNS who prescribes and sees patients.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Yep. There has been a lot of "individualization" of roles over the years. Hospitals tend to hire whoever is available with a Master's Degree when they need one rather than wait for a person with a set of credentials that exactly match the functions they want performed. As time has gone by, various groups have lobbied state legislatures to amend Nurse Practice Acts to accommodate what they have/want in practice. Each school has pursued its own agenda without necessarily paying much attention to what was happening in the practice world.

Thus ... we have a mess.

I recommend making your decision by figuring out the TYPE OF WORK you want to do. Then, find a program that is focused on preparing people to do that type of work. Trust that if your program included the right coursework to prepare you for the types of jobs you want, you will be able to find a way to make it work in the job market.

What appeals to me is the lack of rigidity. So I guess I'm on the right track. Also as the journey progresses I'm learning definitions and distinctions. e.g. The first degree program I looked at was a CNL. At that time I didn't know a CNL from a CNS from a NP. I didn't get the point in getting a clinical nurse leader degree that qualified you to be an entry level RN. I think its fun to think back on what I've learned and ahead to possibiities.

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