CNS and experience

Specialties CNS

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I have been an RN for 5 years and am looking to go back to school before I have kids. How much experience is needed or appropriate for a CNS? What can I do to grow my experience and work towards a CNS program if I need more?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Much depends on how you want to use your CNS: educator, change agent, clinical expert, advanced practice nurse?

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.

Find what you love clinically. Go deep into that area. Get certified, get involved in committees, be an active contributing member to your unit. Take every opportunity to attend lectures, conferences in your area of specialty. Study and practice and get involved educating others when opportunities arise.

There is no magic number for how long you have to do this before pursuing CNS, but realize CNSs are considered experts of a specific patient population. So what are you going to need to do to achieve expertise? And how long will that take you?

I know a couple of young CNSs, but they are not the norm. Generally CNSs are quite experienced at the bedside in their specialty. It is a very "grown up" role in nursing... so it is not like NPs where you expect to see many still wet-behind-the-ears... with CNSs people are expecting that person to be completely clinically solid out of the gate -- even if some aspects of the job will certainly come with a learning curve.

Hope that helps.

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I am very excited to start my CNS education in 2019!!

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Thank you WestCoastSunRN for the excellent and complete response. I will be starting my CNS in May and could not be more excited!!

My specialty is in Vascular Access and I have been a bedside vascular access RN for a little over 8 years now. My focus and interests have really moved toward education and being a leader in change using EBP. This is where I know I excel and where I can contribute the most to nursing.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.
5 hours ago, PICCRN79 said:

Thank you WestCoastSunRN for the excellent and complete response. I will be starting my CNS in May and could not be more excited!!

My specialty is in Vascular Access and I have been a bedside vascular access RN for a little over 8 years now. My focus and interests have really moved toward education and being a leader in change using EBP. This is where I know I excel and where I can contribute the most to nursing.

Congrats and best wishes

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I think CNS is a great way for a Vascular Access nurse to go. Good Luck!

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