New Facebook group for CNS

nicolein · Sep 9, 2013

There is a ANCC CNS exam study group on FB if u r interested. I just finished my program and took my exam this past summer. Passed on the first try thank god but I do wish I had done the NP tract in grad school :-(

mursej, ADN, BSN, DNP, LPN, CNS · Sep 9, 2013

Why do you now wish you had completed an NP track? Availability of job? Pay scale for traditional CNS's?

nicolein · Sep 9, 2013

Because although I live in a state that recognizes CNSs as an APRN I'm feel I'm not as marketable as a NP. I'm also limited to working in my state. If the job I was promised while in school does not pan out working with a CNS and NP in palliative care then I'll just be devastated. I might end up calling my university and asking if I can redo CLINICALS with the NP focus this time. In neighboring states CNS is not an APRN namely NY where I've seen many jobs in the speciality area I'd like to work but the postings are for NPs

mursej, ADN, BSN, DNP, LPN, CNS · Sep 10, 2013

Oh gotcha. You're hoping to be filling more the traditional advance practice prescriber role. Many a CNS on here has encouraged those wanting to be an APN to do an NP program over a CNS program.

nicolein · Sep 10, 2013

Yes I conquer. CNS are used mainly for staff Ed in my state.

pilgrim192 · Sep 11, 2013

Have no fear! All you have to do is apply for NP jobs and write on your resume and cover letter that you are an APN! Say that you HAVE PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY, since that is all they are looking for. Perhaps it says NP b/c it's more popular and the HR people dont know about the CNS role...just enlighten them! don't spend all that money on an NP degree...it's basically the same thing!

Psychcns · Sep 13, 2013

Have no fear! All you have to do is apply for NP jobs and write on your resume and cover letter that you are an APN! Say that you HAVE PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY since that is all they are looking for. Perhaps it says NP b/c it's more popular and the HR people dont know about the CNS role...just enlighten them! don't spend all that money on an NP degree...it's basically the same thing![/quote']
This is correct in states that recognize CNS as an APRN and allows CNS to have prescriptive authority. NY does not recognize CNS, CA recognizes psych CNS but won't allow prescriptive authority. AZ won't allow CNS to prescribe-- I think they recognize CNS as APRN. Does anyone know what kind of state political advocacy for CNS and adoption of APRN consensus model is being done in these states??

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Sep 16, 2013

This is correct in states that recognize CNS as an APRN and allows CNS to have prescriptive authority. NY does not recognize CNS, CA recognizes psych CNS but won't allow prescriptive authority. AZ won't allow CNS to prescribe-- I think they recognize CNS as APRN. Does anyone know what kind of state political advocacy for CNS and adoption of APRN consensus model is being done in these states??

CACNS has been involved in lobbying for prescriptive authority for all CNS's in CA. They have not been successful thus far mainly because I see the vast majority of CNS's in traditional roles of providing nursing staff development and offering clinical expertise in specialized fields of healthcare. Our hospital (an academic medical center) have used many CNS's in important clinical roles in Diabetes Management, Wound Care, Critical Care Nursing (both adult and peds), and Cardiac Care. They offer medical management recommendations (i.e., insulin management, wound care products) but do not write medication orders. I think many are very happy in this role and feel well appreciated for their contribution to over all hospital care. They are also outnumbered by NP's in the entire system (maybe 20:200+ ratio of CNS to NP).

Psychcns · Sep 17, 2013

I don't know the overall strategy for implementing the complete APRN consensus model. For the CNS there are about 16 states that do not allow prescribing.

I found a study done by the California BON in 2010 on the web on CNS job satisfaction. It seems CNS would like the option of prescriptive authority.

I think also that if schools want to keep offering a CNS track, more students would choose it because of the increased option of roles if it also includes prescriptive authority. It would make the degree more attractive.

I have heard of Psych CA CNS's getting authorized to prescribe inOregon to increase their chances of being authorized in CA--it being a neighboring state.

So the glass is more than half full for us. I am just annoyed that I can prescribe in some states and not other states.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Sep 18, 2013

The Consenus Model (just like the DNP proposal) has a proposed target year of 2015 for implementation. The problem with this is that Scope of Practice is more complicated than whipping up a piece of document by nurses sitting around a conference table. Scope of Practice change requires legislative changes in individual states. Nothing will change unless lawmakers get in on the plan.

On a side note, I know it's frustrating for many CNS's who have functioned in a provider role in one state with full prescriptive authority to realize that the same scope of practice is not in place in other states. However, I still don't understand why we keep calling the two professions by two different names if we are proposing blurring the lines that distinguish the two roles and calling it interchangeable. I think it just adds to more confusion as to who really can do what and what is considered sufficient training to allow one to perform a role so interchangeable.

Psychcns · Sep 18, 2013

Juan, thank you for your interest in this issue and for your comments. I think the adoption of the APRN title is supposed to address some of the confusion. I think that there is little difference in the NP and CNS curriculum now though that could change if the CNS survives since the CNS has more role preparation.

It is hard to follow on the Internet what is happening in state legislatures regarding CNS prescriptive authority. I know each BON has an APRN representative on the board who would likely be knowledgeable. I think the overall APRN consensus model caucus would by now be paying for professional lobbying state-by-state to move toward uniformity in the states not on board.