NP and CNS?

[lexi1200]

Hey all

I could use some advice. I'm enrolled in an Acute/Chronic PNP program. The school gives the option of combining it with CNS. It takes only one extra online class (that you take during NP residency) and one extra semester for the CNS residency. I want to function more in the NP role and plan to try to get a job in a busy peds cardiac icu after graduating. Long-term I know I want to continue working with peds with congenital heart defects but am unsure of what type of setting (don't think I can hack ICU setting for more then 5years). I hoped the CNS role would make me more marketable and may lead to better job offers. However a few NPs I have talked to said it wouldn't make a difference when looking for NP job. I thought about dropping the CNS idea and just go for the NP but my advisor just told me what she had in mind for me for the CNS residency. It would be dividing my time with the NP who does transplant and manages the CV surgical patients and the CNS who oversees the PCICU. It would be an amazing learning experience with two fantastic preceptors and would give me two semesters of residency in peds cardiac. But I'm worn so thin now with work and grad school (not to mention costs of extra semester) that I don't want to pursue both if it won't be of benefit besides on the name badge.

Any advice? Thanks in advance.

[jpRN84, BSN, RN]

If you can afford it and have the energy to do it, I would say go for it! That experience sounds like it would be great for your career, and if at some point you get tired of doing one role, you could switch to the other. I myself am looking for a program that combines a cns and np in psychiatric nursing. Good luck to you!

Jon