MSN only requirement for CNS?

Trauma Columnist · Jan 27, 2012

In order to sit for the CNS exam, you have to complete a CNS program. However, since you are already a CNM, it would be a post-MSN certificate and you could probably do it in a couple of semesters. Don't forge the 500 + hours of clinical.

I have an MSN (management and leadership) and two post-MSN certificates.

I am considering completing an FNP and yep, you guessed it - gotta do another program. Waffling on the idea a bit.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 27, 2012

I don't know how it is everywhere, but I completed a MSN program (not a CNS program). Those in my graduating class were told we were CNSes when we graduated. As soon as I had my practice hours in (work as an advanced practice nurse) I was able to sit for the CNS certification exam.

There's also a difference between being a CNS by education and being a CNS by certification exam. The exam is required in order to bill for your services, as well as to prescribe.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 27, 2012

Whispera - can I ask what year you graduated? I did the MSN in 2005 and the CNS in 2006 and since that time, you have to have a CNS completed coursework in order to call yourself a CNS. It is a protected titel.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 27, 2012

2001 was the year I graduated, and I was certified in 2003 and recertified in 2008. I certified as a CNS and have prescriptive authority as a CNS and a state license as a CNS (Indiana).

Trauma Columnist · Jan 28, 2012

Hmm - dang I wish I had done it sooner! lol Thanks for the info.

At any rate ANCC NOW requires that you complete a CNS program (either as an MSN or post-MSN) in order to sit the credentialing exam.

As an aside, in IN - are you required to be certified? I moved to IL from Indianapolis in 1996 and at the time wasn't interested in the APN role but I thought I remembered something about IN being one of the states that didn't require certification for APNs, just that you complete a program?

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 28, 2012

In Indiana you have to be certified in order to bill on your own or for your facility to bill for your services. You also have to be certified to prescribe. Both billing and prescribing also require a collaborative agreement with a doctor. It's extremely complicated.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 28, 2012

That's the way it is in IL too. However, I'm an active member in the IL Society of APNs and so far we are whittling the collaborative agreement down to non-existent. We also recently rec'd (all APNs that is) prescriptive authority for class II narcotics.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 29, 2012

In Indiana, at least last time I applied, CNS's (I don't know about NPs since i'm not one) could apply for all classes of narcotics, without exception. I wish states would be consistent!

CCRNDiva, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2012

I think I recall some controversy about nurses completing MSNs that were not specifically CNS or NP programs and then practicing in that capacity. I remember that our nursing instructors cautioned us to be sure we applied to specific CNS and NP programs otherwise we would run into trouble when we attempted to practice. I think people also ran into trouble when they relocated. I'm pretty sure you have to complete a CNS or NP program in order to practice as an advanced practice nurse unless you've been grandfathered in.

TraumaRus, an advanced practice nurse does not have to hold national certification in order to practice in the state of IN. Most facilities, if not all, require national certification, however, in order to be credentialed. National certification is also required by most insurance companies and Medicare for independent billing as Whispera mentioned, but it is not required by the state to practice and prescribe.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 29, 2012

thanks ccrndiva - i thought in was one of the states that did not require national certification.

here is what ancc says about the adult health cns certification eligibility:

hold a current, active rn license in a state or territory of the united states or the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country.

hold a master’s, post-graduate, or doctorate degree from a clinical nurse specialist in adult health program accredited by the commission on collegiate nursing education (ccne) or the national league for nursing accrediting commission (nlnac). a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours in the cns-adult health role and specialty must be included in the educational program. the adult health cns graduate program must include three separate courses in:

advanced physical/health assessment

advanced pharmacology

advanced pathophysiology

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/adulthealthcns-eligibility.aspx

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 29, 2012

everything you wrote that follows was true when i graduated too, in order to be get my cns license from indiana, except the clinical nurse specialist words. i had to have advanced assessment, pharm, and pathophys as well as 500 hours of supervision. my schooling only provided 180 hours so i had to find someone who could supervise the remainder after school.

yes, an apn can practice in indiana without certification, but he or she can't charge for services or prescribe. such an apn can teach or consult and can work in a hospital that doesn't separate the apns service out as a line-item. licensure as a cns is not required in indiana except for billing and prescribing. licensure as a cns requires certification. the licensed cns, in indiana, still has to maintain licensure as an rn.

we're very off-topic from the original posting. should we move this to the cns forum?

thanks ccrndiva - i thought in was one of the states that did not require national certification.
here is what ancc says about the adult health cns certification eligibility:
hold a current, active rn license in a state or territory of the united states or the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country.
hold a master’s, post-graduate, or doctorate degree from a [color=#b22222]clinical nurse specialist in adult health program accredited by the commission on collegiate nursing education (ccne) or the national league for nursing accrediting commission (nlnac). a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours in the cns-adult health role and specialty must be included in the educational program. the adult health cns graduate program must include three separate courses in:
advanced physical/health assessment
advanced pharmacology
advanced pathophysiology
clinical nurse specialist in adult health certification eligibility criteria - american nurses credentialing center - ancc