Fate of the CNS degree

[ExploringNurse]

I am currently a bedside nurse, interested in an advanced degree to start next year. I know the common routes, and np and np schools are popping up everywhere, accepting everyone. Education, academically, does not pay enough for my lifestyle with kids and traveling. Nurse practitioner is losing its appeal to me with the way the health system is in America. The ag CNS degree excited me over two years ago, and it still does, but it's fate is up in the air because of the emergence of tons of NPs.

What are people's opinions on where the CNS degree will be in 10 years? All opinions welcome.

[Jules A, MSN]

in 10 years the political landscape of health care will be different and I wouldn't be surprised if if there are more OTC meds with pharmacists answering questions.

I think that most people,when they are ill would prefer being seen and evaluated by a provider than only using Google to self treat.

A lot can happen in 10 years.

I have heard there is talk of pharmacists prescribing in the near future also.

[sauce]

nah I love my job i just enjoy being honest. Seems like most nurses think being a nurse practitioner is all purple farts and red roses because they've never had a job that requires, um, thought. At least more thought than, hmm, should i make this levophed drip faster or slower or change this wound with a turd in it now or in an hour. Or when to take smoke breaks, coffee sips, and whether or not doctor X wants me to call him since bob's blood pressure is 180/80 because the patient thinks metoprolol is the work of the devil since it makes his tool flimsy & he refuses to take it.

[sailornurse]

In New Mexico, no CNS programs here. New Mexico State used to have Adult CNS without prescriptive initially, then later added prescriptive. It was phased out/changed to Adult NP. The local hospitals treated those that did complete the CNS as RNs. Most of the people I know that had the Adult CNS have gone back for FNP at UT El Paso.

As for CNL (Clinical Nurse Leader) I am still unclear on the role, the purpose. No programs exist as far as I know for this. Sauce does have a point. Many entering NP programs do not seem to understand what NPs actually do, and questions the curriculum. I have talked to some people in BSN to DNP for Psych NP and they seem unclear on the objectives, they do seem to bring up the salary.

[Psychcns]

I have heard there is talk of pharmacists prescribing in the near future also.

It seems OR and CA now allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control pills. Pharmacists on SDN don't seems to have much interest in prescribing. I have run into individual pharmacists who seem to want to prescribe.

My understanding of Pharm education is that they are not trained in diagnoses or in case formulation. They are not clinicians. Their expertise is pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. It seems some want to branch out more than others. I have found pharmacists valuable in drug stores when I look for OTC meds for myself. I have found Pharm consultation valuable around med interactions, writing orders correctly and other med related issues.

[Pachinko]

I came to pity the CNSs on the units where I worked. Regardless of job description, they all seemed to end up being the unit directors' slaves, getting stuck with whatever projects the UD didn't want to do. They usually ended up running around and nagging staff, and everyone dreaded seeing them. It's a thankless job and easily abused.