mona b RN

Still not sure if I will sit for ANP certification. I really do not like primary care and it sounds like more money I will have to spend on licensing and CEU's, etc. I don't see myself ever working PC and if I really wanted to I could take a few courses in a PM and sit for the ANP-Gero that will be replacing the ANP.

Thank you for the feedback. I am starting USI's PM PMHNP program this fall. Still not sure if I will sit for certification in Adult health but I did talk to my advisor at USI and certification is not required for admittance to their Psych PM program.

I completed a MSN in Adult Health but am not yet certified. Here is why- my intention was to become more familiar with to get a solid medical foundation and co-morbidities beyond that of RN and then pursue a PM in Family Psych. If I do not have to take the ANP cert exam and spend time and money on it then I'd rather not. I think having both certs would increase my malpractice insurances and additional licensing fees too. I really want the Psych cert but not sure if I have to be certified in Adult health (after completing the ANP program) prior to being accepted in a PM program. In a nutshell, does anyone know if one needs initial advanced practice certification before one can enter a PM certificate program? Thanks!

UMDNJ is updating their psych to Family. It's not eliminated.

It amazes me that many of the posts indicate a "just deal with it' attitude. No wonder the credentialing boards and those involved in the consensus model make changes so easily. It's a crying shame...it really is.

I graduated from TESC. It is a great school but I wish there were more of an "community" for the students in the classes as the previous poster mentioned. The courses are challenging at times and the instructors are, for the most part, understanding and knowledgeable. Of course some stand above others but that you will find at any school. Taking two courses is manageable as long as you stay on schedule. I liked that the course ran for 12 weeks. Best of luck to you!

What age range can you treat?

I have not had problems transferring courses taken with CCConline. Chances are that if they approved CC course they will approve CCConline especially since they carry appropriate accreditation. I completed microbiology with them and it was no walk in the park. Rigorous course, but enjoyable. Good luck.

USI requires that you secure your own preceptor. I am not sure if they provide a list but I imagine if someone has a contract already in place they would give you that information. A caveat though, it seems to be getting increasingly difficult to find preceptors in certain areas so start early. Search "USI" in this forum and you will find a great deal of info from a previous student on this subject. Best of luck to you.

Just wondering if anyone was accepted to USI. I applied and was accepted but not sure how it will work out because of the time line they have me on. Apparently, there are too many students and not enough instructors for the clinical courses. Sounds like a great school though. I am definitely considering the program as an option but I am looking at others as well. If I accept I hope they will let me accelerate because as they have me scheduled now I would have just about a year with no class at all due to the fact that I transferred in three classes. Anyone else here accepted for Spring?

As others have stated, it really does depend on where you live and what the state's nursing practice act allows you to do. Some state's do not recognize the CNS as an advanced practice nurse which is really a shame. I am hopeful that interest in Magnet may revitalize the role of the CNS and the role will become popular once again. I work with a CNS and a APN-NP and they essentially do the same things. I am learning that NJ is a great place to be a CNS as they are considered APNs. Good luck with your decision.

You mentioned that you have to do the same courses. Did the school require you to retake the physiology, assessment and pharmacology courses for the post master's?

Thanks for the information traumaRUs. I live in NJ and CNS and NP are pretty much the same. I also want to focus on primary care and am curious how many CNSs there are in this area. I realize to be well rounded all the spheres should be included but there are many ways to do that in the primary care setting. Tons of educational opportunities with health promotion, for example. The program I am looking into is flexible with regard to clinical placements which is really nice but I am curious how one sets up their own objectives in this setting since as you said it is pretty non-traditional approach for CNS. I like how you put it best-pursued it as an "advanced practice nurse". Did your program include prescriptive/pharmacological content integrated into the curriculum or did you just have to complete an advanced pharmacology course to be able to prescribe?

Hi, I am interested in a CNS program and would like to hear from others regarding their experiences. Can anyone describe the details of their CNS clinical experiences, or practicum, as they are sometimes referred to? I am interested in adult health and wondering how students are meeting clinical requirements in their programs. For example, are you completing clinical in a family practice or a hospital environment? Do your clinical experiences involve direct patient care or are they more related to staff development? Thanks

Thanks for posting this Karen. We all need to get involved now more than ever with all the changes they are talking about. mona