Difference btwn CNS and NP?

[diddle]

Hi! I am a future nursing student and I am researching Direct-Entry programs. Many of the Master's Options offer Nurse Pracitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialists pathways, but I am unsure about the difference between the two. I only have experience working with Nurse Pracitioners. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks!

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

hello,

here is a link to a pdf article from the indiana university school of nursing about the role of the cns:

http://nursing.iupui.edu/alumni/pulse/cnspulse.pdf

and, here is a link from the american academy of nurse practitioners in pdf form about nps:

http://www.aanp.org/nr/rdonlyres/ekkfsb5zy4cerarzoaizeol2fb66ub62625c3hr24vja4q3rd4uxgcppf7ir3zcj4uiqpt3xpwbo6a/np%2bcurriculum%2bstatement%2b03.pdf

they are very similar in their roles. the cns(s) with whom i am associated, are in research.

i am np and traumarus, another moderator, is cns.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Hi - I am finishing up my CNS in adult health. Siri is correct in that the roles of the NP and CNS are very similar. In IL - our nurse practice act only discriminates between CNS/NP/CNM (certified nurse midwife) in one group and then puts the CRNA's in another group. The CNS role and NP role is very similar. Many times, the differentiation is that of the exact job description. For instance, both can bill for services, both have prescriptive authority and can act autonomously and both can have collaborative agreements with an MD or group of MDs.

I live in central IL and the roles are so blurred where I am, that even I have a trouble telling them apart. There is nothing wrong with that either - all of us are APNs (advanced practice nurses) with the ultimate goal of excellent patient care.

[OH RN,BSN]

Thanks for the articles.. I too am trying to decide which track to take. Can anyone say examples of jobs they have that might be out of the "traditional take" of what people see CNS(ie. hospital manager,college prof) or NP's (ie. Physician office) to have?