Request for help on project

[deni_in_LA]

I am looking for a Master's prepared nurse in geriatrics that would be willing to be interviewed (phone, email, or on this forum) for an MSN Advanced Nursing Roles class that I am taking. I am looking at areas that are of interest to me in the future and geri interests me from some hospice volunteer work I did years ago. I need to complete the interview by Oct 17 or 18 Interview is of course anonymous.

As background, I am in my first semester of a Master's Entry Level Program for Clinical Nurse Leaders. This program is designed for students with a Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field (I have been a research microbiologist for 30 years). After completing the program the CNL will act as a bedside nurses in a generalist role, helping to integrate evidence-based practice into patient care.

I really appreciate anyone's help. As a microbiologist, I have not had much contact with nurses and have no family members in the field. Some of the questions are:

*What is your role and primary responsibilities?

*What is the role title and position description?

*How did you choose this role? How long have you been in the role?

*What are the best/worst/hardest/most rewarding things about your role?

*What educational preparation is required for the role?

*What is the setting in which the role is enacted?

*Are there role conflicts or "turf" issues within the organization, and if so how are they handled or resolved?

*What are actual or perceived barriers to practice or innovation?

*Are there any special skills that are needed to lead or influence others on the care team or within the organization?

*How are patient outcomes tracked or reported, so that the value of this advanced practice role contribution can be identified?

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help me on this. If you care to respond to just some of the questions, I am interested in other opinions as well. I am also posting to home health since it also interests me.

[Vito Andolini]

Do you have to become an RN before getting an MSN? Will you be expected to lead RN's without prior RN experience?

[deni_in_LA]

The study program is an intensive 20-24 month program (17 units and 192 clinical hours per semester---no employment during the program). It encompasses BSN and all the MSN courses including advanced theory, advanced pharmacology, adv. patho, etc.

After graduating from the MEPN program we sit for the NCLEX to get our RN licenses. Of course, with only our clinical hours (1200 hours) from school we will need to gain a lot more clinical experience to become competent nurses. The eventual goal is to remain as advanced bedside nurse generalists with an ability to lead in a lateral fashion in order to implement evidence-based care. It is not an administrative or management role.

This program has only been around for a few years so there isn't much known about how the goals have been met. There is an additional exam to sit for in order to get the Clinical Nurse Leader license (see CNL website). I realize there is controversy about adding another nursing role to the mix...

Let me know if you have any more questions. Or see the AACN "White Paper on the Clinical Nurse Leader."