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Discussion

HELP! CNS or NP

Hello. I was wondering what the difference is btwn NP and CNS? I plan to get my MSN but cant figure out which advance nursing I want to get? I was thinking Neontal NP but is there a Neonatal Nurse Specialist as well? What personality and traits fit best with an NP? or a CNS? Are the duties the same???

Featured Replies

  • Experts

Its good that you are looking at this BEFORE choosing a program. Much of the scope of practice and the type of jobs you get depend on which state you live in. In IL, where I live, the CNS and NP roles are virtually interchangeable as is the scope of practice. This worked well for me as I wanted an advanced practice role. However, the true CNS role which is more a staff development, change agent is rare in my neck of the woods. llg is another poster here who is a CNS and has a background (I believe) in neonatal education. I'm sure she will check in and add some more info.

Good luck in your choice.

I was accepted into Liberty Universities Acute Care CNS program on June 24, 2008 and I'm very happy. I will be working towards Adult CNS-PMH and/or CNS Gero-Psyche specialty in the future.

I plan to work for and retire from the Veterans Administration (VA).

  • Experts

Wonderful! Congratulations....

I am 1 year into nursing right now and I am very eager to get back to school to get my Masters and an advanced degree. This is what I want:

1) Prescribe medications

2) Diagnose; differential diagnoses

3) Obviously work with the MD;team

4) Still work inpatient

5) Teach fellow coworkers/research/educate

6) I want to take advanced pharm and pathophys

7) I want to specialize in Cardiovascular/Pulm med/surge

Is NP more accepted in hospitals as opposed to CNS'? Please tell me what you think. The schools I am looking @ are in Boston; they are unbelievably expensive! (900 approx a credit for 50-60 credit programs). Anyways I am looking forward to hearing responses for I am lost!

  • Experts

I think the NP role might be more what you are looking for. However, that said, it is best to check with your state board of nursing for the scope of practice for both APNs (advanced practice nurses).

In my area, there are many more NPs than CNSs. So, while the NP might be the more recognizable degree, a CNS does fine also.

I was accepted into Liberty Universities Acute Care CNS program on June 24, 2008 and I'm very happy. I will be working towards Adult CNS-PMH and/or CNS Gero-Psyche specialty in the future.

I plan to work for and retire from the Veterans Administration (VA).

How do you like the Liberty program so far?

Sadie Lady

You shoudl look into a Acute care NP program. NP are well used on my cardio floor at DHMC

How do you like the Liberty program so far?

Sadie Lady

Sorry Sadie Lady for taking so long to get back with you.

I decided to postpone my admission until Jan 2009 to start the CNS program.

That's my start date also. I'm taking the nursing theory course the first 8 weeks then the community health course (I need that one because my BS is not in nursing). I'm deciding if I want to switch into a NP program, but the courses I'm taking in Jan are pretty much required everywhere.

Sadie Lady

That's my start date also. I'm taking the nursing theory course the first 8 weeks then the community health course (I need that one because my BS is not in nursing). I'm deciding if I want to switch into a NP program, but the courses I'm taking in Jan are pretty much required everywhere.

Sadie Lady

Same courses for me and I am also considering the NP route also. Right now their is a need for Psychiatric/Behavioral Health NP or CNS and that is what I really want to do.

Have you checked into the University of South Alabamas (CNS & NP) 100% distance educations programs? http://www.usouthal.edu/nursing/

The school has a RN to MSN (for Nurses with Non-Nursing BS) route also and it's reasonably priced also.

Take care,

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