Public/Community Health CNS

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I have seriously been researching a post-master's certificate as a public/community health CNS. I have been corresponding with several program directors. I was told today by one program director that the public/community health CNS option no longer exists. However, the ANCC website states that it is still an eligibility option. Does anyone know any public/community health CNSs in their areas? If so, what master's/post-master's programs did they complete? I am already a family nurse practitioner, so I have taken the major courses according to the new APRN Concensus Model. I have been working as a school-based NP and rediscovered my love of public health nursing. I think that it will be beneficial to obtain certification as a public/community health CNS since I would like to work in some capacity for my state department of public health and teach community health to undergraduate nursing students. Any advice/suggestions are welcome! HELP:confused:!!!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hmmmm....I don't know a public health CNS. However, have you considered a post-masters in Public Health? I know several MDs that pursued that.

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No. I had not thought about the post-master's in public health route. That may be something I need to look into. Thanks for the info.

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Specializes in Peds ER.

Most programs are just public health nursing, not necessarily in a CNS program, but all you need to take to qualify to sit for the CNS-PHN exam is advanced pathophysiology, advanced assessment, and pharm. I'm currently in an MSN (public health nursing)/MPH joint program now.

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GiBalerio,

Thanks for the information! I have found clarification regarding this issue and plan to start a program sometime in 2011.

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Specializes in SICU, MICU, Med/Surg, ER, Private Duty.
I have seriously been researching a post-master's certificate as a public/community health CNS. I have been corresponding with several program directors. I was told today by one program director that the public/community health CNS option no longer exists. However, the ANCC website states that it is still an eligibility option. Does anyone know any public/community health CNSs in their areas? If so, what master's/post-master's programs did they complete? I am already a family nurse practitioner, so I have taken the major courses according to the new APRN Concensus Model. I have been working as a school-based NP and rediscovered my love of public health nursing. I think that it will be beneficial to obtain certification as a public/community health CNS since I would like to work in some capacity for my state department of public health and teach community health to undergraduate nursing students. Any advice/suggestions are welcome! HELP:confused:!!!

hey sorry i wont be able to answer your question, but can you answer mine?

I am interested into the school based clinics, what are your hours? what about summer time hours? are you off on the summer months? do school based NPs get paid less because of the summer months off??

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hey sorry i wont be able to answer your question, but can you answer mine?

I am interested into the school based clinics, what are your hours? what about summer time hours? are you off on the summer months? do school based NPs get paid less because of the summer months off??[/quote}\]

The hours at the health clinic where I worked were 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. We were off on weekends, holidays, and summers. For summer, you had an option of having your check "stretched" which meant you received a check in the summer. If your check is not "stretched", you do not receive a check for the summer months. Overall, the pay is significantly less than other specialties. You must truly love children and the job because you definitely don't receive a just compensation for the advanced education obtained and responsibilities (i.e., paperwork) fulfilled.

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Wright state Uniersity has a program online

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