Job Vacancies?

[Adams_Mommy_07]

I've never seen a CNS position up on the website of any local hospital in my area. So, my question is if a CNS wants to switch hospitals would they apply for an RN position in their unit of choice and still maintain the position as an APN (this is of course in reference to states like NC where CNS are APN for all intents and purposes)?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

If a CNS is an APN in your state, then I would apply for an NP position.

[Adams_Mommy_07]

Well right now I am seeking admission into an AE MSN program (will be applying next fall) and I'm trying to weigh out my options--I am not a nurse but applying for an accelerated program that will first and foremost make me an RN, and then educate me as an APN. Ideally, what I am looking for is to become an expert in one area, my interests are cardiac, pediatrics, and pulmonary. These would be the units I would be interested in while also desiring expertise in these areas. The trouble is the closest hospital to me is a small town hospital. The next closest is over an hour away. I want to chose a concentration that will allow me to stay where I am, and I am wondering if CNS will do so?? I guess what I am asking for is even though I have yet to see any CNS vacancies at the local hospital could I ever apply for a RN position for let's say the cardiac unit and still function as a CNS or would I function strictly within the confines of a RN?? I have no problem with that, I just do not want to waste my time going to school an extra three years to be doing exactly what I would be doing with a BSN. I never see NP vacancies for this hospital either--only nurse anesthetists, RNs, and Nurse managers (and LPNs, CNAs, etc.)

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Ok - now I understand. Sorry my answer was so flippant. In your state as well as mine, a CNS is an APN. If your local hospital doesn't hire APNs then you have a couple of choices: try to convince them of the advantages of more APNs or go elsewhere. Other places to look include physician practices, health dept, some nursing homes. Personally, if you want to be an APN, I would go the NP route and I would choose a specialty track like Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in order to give you the broadest range of ages. Also, I would contact the hospital HR or nurse recruiting dept and see what type of nurses they hire: do they hire the direct-entry APN? In tight job markets, hospitals and physicians can be very choosy and might want some experience as an APN first.

I would contact your state's advanced practice nursing organization and see what the climate is in your area for direct-entry APNs. They might be more of a resource.

Good luck.