Does anyone know of a perioperative NP or CNS program?

Trauma Columnist · Jan 15, 2011

You can get a CNS in many subjects but it all depends on your certification exam. I would do Adult Health CNS because it gives you a wide scope of practice and you tailor your clinical experiences to preoperative care.

Argo · Jan 16, 2011

All of the NP's I have met, not including CRNAs, have done general NP programs and gotten jobs with surgeons working directly for them.

My current hospital has a CNS that is our educator. Not sure what kind of CNS she is.

LuvTheOR · Jan 17, 2011

I have worked for a physician as a first assistant. The first surgeon, a neurosurgeon, that I worked for was a sweetheart and I worked for him until he died of CA. I then worked for a general surgeon for two years and he was an ***. I do not want to go that route again.

I want to work directly for the hospital. I would collaborate with our unit's educator, do quality assurance, and work with putting evidence based practices into use in the OR.

MereSanity · Jan 17, 2011

I am currently back to school working toward my NP (BSN first though) and would LOVE an answer to this question. I want to concentrate on the OR also (online is best for me). If you find more info please pass it along. Thanks!

Guest717236 · Jan 17, 2011

Does anyone know of a perioperative NP or CNS program?
Luv The OR

Good luck on your goal, sounds great! Since this appears to be a new educational direction,

would someone at AORN be able to direct you to some contacts?

With your past experience, it appears you would be an key resource person to OR staff and patients in either role.

LuvTheOR · Jan 20, 2011

Called AORN they have no idea of any programs. Still searching, will keep you updated.

Luv The OR :nurse:

Guest717236 · Jan 20, 2011

Called AORN they have no idea of any programs. Still searching, will keep you updated.
Luv The OR

:confused: Hopefully, they will soon. They have a position paper with no leads?

If I see anything here in the New England area, I'll let you know.

Keep up the search!

LuvTheOR · Jan 21, 2011

Thanks, I appreciate the extra set of eyes.

Luv The OR :nurse:

czyja, MSN, RN · Feb 10, 2011

Hi - I am heading into my last quarter of study for my MS. I am in a CNS track with a specialization in Critical Care Trauma Nursing.

Most nursing schools are moving adopting the AACN consensus model of APRN education. The idea is that APRNs have a role (NP, CNS, CRNA, or CNM) and a population focus (family/lifespan, adult/geriatric, neonatal, pediatrics, womens health/gender, or psychiatric). Some APRNs will have a specialty (oncology, orthopedics, trauma).

You write:

I would collaborate with our unit's educator, do quality assurance, and work with putting evidence based practices into use in the OR.

The practice you envision is is closest to the CNS role. I would, however, note that the cornerstone of APRN practice is (or ought to be) direct patient care. Most CNSs spend a good deal of time in evaluating evidence and implementing practice changes. But CNSs also provide direct care, mostly to the most complex and vulnerable patients.

CNSs are the smallest group of the in the APRN realm. So, I think you might have a tough time finding a program advertising itself as providing an education to future perioperative CNSs. I would suggest looking at programs that offer a CNS program focused on the adult/geri populations. Within such a program you could probably arrange clinical rotations and focus your research in the periop realm. I could easily envision a person with your interests in my current program. I am in San Francisco and I dont know alot about programs in the East. But I do know that know Mass General has an excellent CNS track program with a specialization in Acute Care. You might want to look at their website. Penn offers a highly customizable and very student focused (albeit expensive) education. Yale, Hopkins, Duke, and Columbia are the other big players. Tell 'em what you are looking for and ask if they can meet your needs.

You may also want to ask yourself if an APRN education is the right choice for you. The core curriculum for all of us is made is heavy on pathophyiology, advanced physical assessment, and advanced pharmacology. Do you envision needing training in these areas to achieve your career goals? I you are interested in education, quality, and research maybe a masters in nursing with a focus on education might better meet your needs. You might do a thesis on a clinical quality problem in periopertive nursing. Remember that most graduate education can be highly tailored to meet your needs.

Good Luck! Please let me know if I can help.