RN license to CNS license

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Nephrology.

I have a Florida nursing license. I want to now if I got a CNN (Nephrology Nurse Certification) Can I change my RN license to a CNS license?

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

A CNS or Clinical Nurse Specialist requires a master's degree. The Certified Nephrology Nurse is a certification. No license to change.

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A CNS or Clinical Nurse Specialist requires a master's degree. The Certified Nephrology Nurse is a certification. No license to change.

(And a Master's degree with a specific Clinical Nurse Specialist concentration, not just any random MSN.)

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Specializes in Nephrology.

I know that. But I downloaded the CNS application and if you have a certification the Board can upgrade your license to a CNS even if you do not have a Masters.

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I know that. But I downloaded the CNS application and if you have a certification the Board can upgrade your license to a CNS even if you do not have a Masters.

Source?

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I know that. But I downloaded the CNS application and if you have a certification the Board can upgrade your license to a CNS even if you do not have a Masters.

I'm sorry but I think you're a little confused. To receive this designation you need a Master's degree no matter what, and either proof of certification by a recognized agency or if there is no certification available, proof that you have completed a thousand hours working specifically within the specialty and 500 hours must be post-graduation from the degree program.

You don't get the CNS designation without a Master's, and you don't get a different license, you're still an RN.

Florida Board of Nursing >> Clinical Nurse Specialist - Licensing, Renewals & Information

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Specializes in Nephrology.

Florida Board of Nursing CNS application

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I know that. But I downloaded the CNS application and if you have a certification the Board can upgrade your license to a CNS even if you do not have a Masters.

Now I'm curious, so I went to the website and looked. The FL BON website says the following about CNS licensure:

"For Certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, the requirements are as follows and can be found in Section 464.0115, F.S.:Any nurse seeking certification as a clinical nurse specialist must apply to the department and submit proof that he or she holds:

a) a current license as a Registered Nurse

b) a master's degree in a clinical nursing specialty

c) and either:

1. Proof of current certification in a specialty area as a clinical nurse specialist from a nationally recognized certifying body as determined by the board;

OR

2. Proof that he or she holds a master's degree in a specialty area for which there is no certification within the clinical nurse specialist role and specialty and proof of having completed 1,000 hours of clinical experience in the clinical specialty for which he or she is academically prepared, with a minimum of 500 hours of clinical practice after graduation. The applicant for certification as a clinical nurse specialist must submit an affidavit to the Board of Nursing affirming the required hours of clinical experience. Falsification of the affidavit constitutes grounds for discipline in accordance with s. 464.018(1)(f)."

Florida Board of Nursing >> Clinical Nurse Specialist - Licensing, Renewals & Information

(Emphasis mine)

The website clearly states that the requirements for certification as a CNS are that the applicant has a Master's degree from a CNS program, and is nationally certified as a CNS (not just any nursing certification).

WhenI look at the application form, I see boxes to check off what current national certification you hold as a CNS, and there is a section in which to list where you went to school for your graduate degree or post-graduate certificate that makes you a CNS (and you have to submit transcripts from the school).

Don't know what you think you saw that says something different; maybe you could share it with us.

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Specializes in Nephrology.

Thank you for sharing. I've misunderstood.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

FYI, the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice nurse. They have prescriptive authority in the majority of states.

One of our site administrators is a CNS with a scope of practice identical to that of a nurse practitioner: she rounds on her patients, has prescriptive authority, and makes the clinical decisions regarding their care.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Um, I'd triple check that!

I know that. But I downloaded the CNS application and if you have a certification the Board can upgrade your license to a CNS even if you do not have a Masters.
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Um, I'd triple check that!

She did.

Thank you for sharing. I've misunderstood.
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