ricknick92

Hi, I am also a CNS and am practicing in staff education. Here in NY a CNS does not have prescriptive priveleges and the jobs do not seem to be too numerous. There are positions in Manhattan and they mostly consist of specialty areas where it seems the CNS covers hospital units and does everything from policies to inservice as well as patient and family eduction (I couldn't speak to exactly what hey do in the hospital)

As a former smoker, I understand about nicotine addiction, but as a staff educator, I feel that someone who is new should be more conscientious (?sp) to learn their job instead of going out to smoke. Interruptions are not good for learning. Also I feel that it is great that you are so open-minded about smoking, but she should be respectful of the fact that you are not a smoker and stop asking you to sit with her!

I do not believ that in either of the hospitals I work will you ever get to drop weekends.

Did you have a union there? I have not seen any mention of it, but if so they should be able to help you with this. I think it is a shame and that nurses are treated this way to frequently. Sometimes your job performance just doesn't matter to the administrators. If it did they may not be so quick to take measures like n your case. As far as a reference, where I live, they are not allowed to give the reason you left.I believe the information they can provide is minimal. I wish you good luck! Maybe this is a sign that you are due for something better?

Congratulations MommaMel!!! Welcome to the club!!!

That was a good one!!! (about the short bus)

I have worked in a few hospitals (NY) and it was customary to give as many weeks as you get for vacation. Not sure if it is different elsewhere.

Good Luck to all of you taking the NCLEX!!!!

Although I did not do a CRNA, I did go for my CNS while working full time and having 2 children. I went part time and it took me almost 5 years, but it is possible.

Are you currently working as an RN? My opinion is that you should have some experience before becoming an NP. I don't think I would be as prepared to be a CNS if I wasn't already an RN for a while. I feel ou can't be an advanced practice nurse if you have not practiced as a nurse.

I wouldn't stress too much about it. 2.9 is very close to 3.0 and some places will work with you like my director did.

I also had a GPA

I have just finished my masters and am a CNS. The college I attended also had an NP program (which is what I thought I wanted when I started). The further I got in the program, the more I knew I wanted to be a CNS. I did clinicals with NPs and their role is very patient oriented from what I see. They both worked in hospitals and had their own patient loads like resident physicians. They were responsible for all the care the patient received while hospitalizd. For me, the CNS role was the right one because I wanted to be an educator and was a bit ambivalent about the responsibilities of the NP role. Here in NY the CNS cannot prescribe and their role is more education/research/change agent.I hope this was helpful.

I have never worked in ltc but your situation sounds horrible!!! My advice is to stay if you have to but I am sure there are other places that would be glad to have you on their team!

I will be taking the same exam you took. There is no review books but they do offer an online review course...one problem...it's $300.00 but I think I may get it anyway. Thanks for the input.