Anybody still doing or just did or thinking about doing CNS?

mursej, ADN, BSN, DNP, LPN, CNS · Sep 8, 2013

I'm in an adult-gero CNS program. Our co-hort is kinda small, the big hospitals in my area are all looking at Magnet so there hiring CNS's for the traditional role.

stepbystep12, BSN, DNP · Sep 10, 2013

May i ask which area or state you are in?

mursej, ADN, BSN, DNP, LPN, CNS · Sep 10, 2013

I'm in Wisconsin. My program is in Minnesota.

Ahhphoey · Sep 19, 2013

I'm currently in a post-masters adult-gero CNS program with hopes of finishing next summer.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 19, 2013

I would LOVE to do a post-master's CNS, but - alas -I have two kids in college. I completed my MSNEd last year, and am still working as a staff RN and doing research on the side. Research and staff development are my real interests- but with budget cutbacks, there are no staff development positions open right now.

rudycoon · Sep 20, 2013

I'm thinking about this route but not sure how marketable it is.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 20, 2013

Much depends on how your state views the CNS. I live in IL and we are considered APNs. With the ANCC consensus model, the states that adopt it, will also use the CNS as an APN. Doesn't mean you can't occupy a more traditional CNS, simply that it will give us more opportunities.

In the tight job market, choices and wider scope of practice are good.

zoidberg, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2013

i always wanted to do an np MSN. I am seriously leaning toward a AG-CNS program now.(just finished reading the nurse practice act... again) Here in SC, NP/CNS/CNM get lumped together and can prescribe with md collaboration, so there is really no difference in scope. And, the local hospitals still hire CNS in the traditional role, so I could always do that if the opportunity presented itself.

zoidberg, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2013

traumaRUs,

I am trying to find a CNS willing to answer questions about the reality of CNS practice in my state. the data I found has some ~1200 NP's, ~800 CRNA's, then only about 55 CNS's and 70 CNM's. I am sure not many people are aware of what a CNS is, and I would like to know how likely it is to have a physician endorse me as a CNS for prescriptive privileges when they may not know much about how similar education is to that of an NP. Do you think I would face roadblocks if I know in my future I would like to work in outpatient primary care? I would like to start as either a traditional CNS role or as a more NP like APRN role in a hospital, then move outpatient when I need a change of pace.

moonshadeau, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP, CNS · Oct 1, 2013

I loved the CNS role despite the long hours and incredible challenges when dealing with processes and people, trying to affect change by turning a ripple into a tidal wave. That being said not so long ago many CNS positions were cut from my WI hospital. Problem is, cost savings and your impact on them are VERY difficult to quantify. Shame on me for not financially translating my worth to the bean counters that were looking for jobs to cut. I loved being a CNS because I like to ask questions like is there a better way to do x? Jobs for CNS are very scarce in this state. I know that some jobs in Madison do not require certification to be in that role. We have an issue with title protection in this state but that is another whole topic of discussion.

Trauma Columnist · Oct 2, 2013

Oh Moonshadeau so sorry to hear about cutbacks. This is what I see happening in IL too - if you can't bill for your services then your job is easily eliminated. Is CNS=APN in WI?