NP to CNS?

Specialties CNS

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I have a MSN and am licensed as an RN/ARNP in Florida. I worked as an NP for 5 mos and had a terrible experience. I'm interested in the CNS role. Does anyone have info about becoming a CNS in Florida? Thanks.

Stephanie RN CDE

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
I have a MSN and am licensed as an RN/ARNP in Florida. I worked as an NP for 5 mos and had a terrible experience. I'm interested in the CNS role. Does anyone have info about becoming a CNS in Florida? Thanks.

Stephanie RN CDE

It's not in Florida, but it's a distance learning program from the SUNY Stonybrook (in NY). The program is a NP/CNS Masters degree, which gives you both. I don't know if you can bridge from one to the other with this program.

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No response to your question, but I am considering an advanced degree. How was your NP position such a bad experience? Did doctors give you a hard time? Actually, I'm thinking about the CNS route myself. If you learn of a good program please keep me in mind. Thank you.

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I realize that the original thread was posted back in September, but I thought I would provide the SUNY website for those interested.

http://sonce1.nursing.sunysb.edu/nursingweb.nsf/OnSiteMastersProgram?OpenForm

It's not in Florida, but it's a distance learning program from the SUNY Stonybrook (in NY). The program is a NP/CNS Masters degree, which gives you both. I don't know if you can bridge from one to the other with this program.
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What actually matters is the requirements for certification in the CNS specialty that you are interested in. Find out who offers the CS certification in the specialty you want (most are offered by ANCC, but I think a few are offered by other organizations), and find out what the requirements are for the certification (the ANCC website has all the info for their certifications). You may not need another degree and just need to pass the exam, or you may be able to just take a few courses to qualify to sit the exam (or, you may have to start from scratch ...)

What is your area of specialty now, and what area are you interested in for the CS? What is your MSN in? You went to a lot of trouble to become an NP; are you sure you want to throw that away after one bad 5-month experience?

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