Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 12, 2008

My MSN is in Perinatal Nursing -- but my clinical experience has been in the NICU. So, I have spent many years as a Neonatal CNS working side by side with some Maternity CNS's and Perinatal CNS's. etc.

I think it is a great role and that you are coming at it with the correct background (the OB side). For me, coming from the neonatal side, I could never be considered really knowledgable in OB -- so I was not really able to get jobs that were truly "perinatal."

The jobs themselves that I have seen are just like other CNS roles -- including some staff education and clinical practice and program development, etc. Most are simply the CNS for the OB department, just like other people are the CNS for the ICU ... or CNS for pediatrics ... etc. If you look at other threads related to the CNS role, you'll find discussion of the general CNS role there. I haven't seen perinatal CNS jobs that are significantly different from the other CNS jobs. It's just that you work with the maternity population.

Good luck to you.

micmac · Mar 12, 2008

Thanks so much...it is very helpful to hear your thoughts. I get closer every day to filling out the application! :)

imenid37 · Apr 2, 2008

Where are you applying? They just dc'd my program for lack of enrollment I wish you all the best!

rebecrsgnc · Apr 9, 2008

Hi, what school did you attend to get your MSN in perinatal nursing? Did this also include the CNS or how did you get that? I'm just beginning the search process and am curious. Thanks!

My MSN is in Perinatal Nursing -- but my clinical experience has been in the NICU. So, I have spent many years as a Neonatal CNS working side by side with some Maternity CNS's and Perinatal CNS's. etc.
I think it is a great role and that you are coming at it with the correct background (the OB side). For me, coming from the neonatal side, I could never be considered really knowledgable in OB -- so I was not really able to get jobs that were truly "perinatal."
The jobs themselves that I have seen are just like other CNS roles -- including some staff education and clinical practice and program development, etc. Most are simply the CNS for the OB department, just like other people are the CNS for the ICU ... or CNS for pediatrics ... etc. If you look at other threads related to the CNS role, you'll find discussion of the general CNS role there. I haven't seen perinatal CNS jobs that are significantly different from the other CNS jobs. It's just that you work with the maternity population.
Good luck to you.

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 9, 2008

Hi, what school did you attend to get your MSN in perinatal nursing? Did this also include the CNS or how did you get that? I'm just beginning the search process and am curious. Thanks!

I got my MSN a long time ago (in 1981). In those days, programs were not designated "CNS" programs, they simply focused on specific clinical areas and included courses that covered staff development, program management, etc. that support CNS functions.

Frankly, I think that was a better system than the current mess. People could get a MSN in a clinical area and have a basic well-rounded foundation for a variety of roles. By taking only an extra course or two (e.g. management, education, etc.) once could have a management career ... or teach for a university ... or be a CNS ... or be a Staff Development Instructor ... or add on the NP practicum and be an NP ... etc. You didn't have to commit to a specific role before entering a program. It gave us graduates much more career flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing job markets and situations.

I believe the profession of nursing has made a big mistake by creating too many specific role titles, certifications, and required educational programs to become qualified for strictuly defined specific roles/titles. It makes it too hard for the individual nurse to build a reasonable career for herself in a world that changes continually -- and that varies from locale to locale. The specific education, role, certification, etc. that is in vogue in one state may not be the "flavor of the month" in another. I think the old way of getting a "general education at the MSN level" focusing on a clinical area, but leaving a little role flexibility was better. Schools could then develop a 2 or 3 course "post-MSN" add-on for people who needed additional education for a specific role function.