CNS not recognized

[pilgrim192]

I am moving to RI to be with my husband after finishing my MSN. We will live next to Massachusetts. I am currently getting my adult gero CNS...I love this degree in Texas because it's APRN...in RI and Mass, it's not even recognized APRN!

Not sure what to do since I want to prescribe and diagnose patients outpatient. That is why I am in school-second career.

Do I continue my program? Do I quit school and start a new NP program in RI to be with my family? I can't even work as a RN there because my program only certifies me as an RN in Texas and not in other states. I don't have a BSN. I have a BBA in Business.

I'm so sad and frustrated with this!

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

Are you sure you can't work as an RN? Is this a direct entry program? Even though you will not have a BSN (only an MS or MSN at the end), you should still be eligible to obtain a license as an RN in another state. Make sure you have completed your graduate program and have obtained a TX RN license. That way, you are merely endorsing your TX license and graduate nursing degree to RI or MA.

You can't endorse without completing your graduate program and earning your nursing degree. That's the limitation direct entry students have with endorsing to another state without earning their degree (because as you know direct entry students can get a license as an RN after completion of the undergraduate nursing portion of the program even though there was no degree awarded).

You can later go to school to earn credits toward NP if you like.