Role of the Perinatal CNS in the NICU

[NICU<3RN]

I am beginning a masters degree as a Perinatal CNS. Currently I am not a nurse, I have my Bachelors in a different area (Biology).. I have ALWAYS wanted to work in the NICU.. I chose Biology b/c I was going to go to med school to become a neonatologist but decided to do nursing later (another story)

ANYWAY. I will of course become an RN first and work in the NICU as an RN.. however, since my MSN will be as a Perinatal CNS, what role do they have in your NICU? I know that the Perinatal CNS role varies with different NICU's needs, etc. Do you have one? And if so, what do they do? What else should I know?

THANKS! I plan to work in no other unit ever, so this is important to me!!

[llg, PhD, RN]

My MSN was in Perinatal Nursing many years ago. In fact, I was in one of the first perinatal programs in the country. I had worked for a couple of years in a NICU before I got my MSN and I worked as a CNS in a NICU afterwards. However ... my particular MSN focused equally on the NICU experience and the pre-natal experience. So, I actually had significant coursework and clinical in NICU at the Master's level. This may not apply to your program -- but I have seen some Perinatal programs that don't include as much NICU as mine did.

In the NICU, I did things like other CNS's do. I did Staff Development ... I oversaw the development of new policies... etc. I also ran a parent support group and did a little research. The basic traditional CNS role. The NNP's were the "physician extenders." My work focused on helping the staff nurses be better staff nurses and augmenting the care the staff nurses provided.

Is that the kind of role you have in mind? If so, I would strongly suggest getting certified in Neonatal ICU as opposed to (or in addition to) Perinatal. You'll need to have credentials that show your NICU competence.

[NICU<3RN]

Unfortunately there are no Neonatal CNS programs where I am, so I have chosen the Perinatal CNS program with a Neonatal concentration (two concentrations were available: OB and Neonatal). My clinical experience will be in the NICU as that is what I am choosing to use as my concentration. I am hoping that this will be close enough to allow me to work in the NICU as a CNS. Of course with a more "open" role than an NNP, I am worried that I wont fit anywhere into the NICU and have to work elsewhere..

(edit to add: the programs available to me were limited since I have a bachelors in another science and am doing a direct-admit masters program so NNP and NCNS weren't available - in fact no school around me direct-admit or not offers the NCNS)

That is exactly the sort of role I have in mind, and I was also hoping to help run or implement a volunteer cuddler program (depending on where I will be working) as I was once a volunteer cuddler and LOVED it! Im hoping to do it again when I begin school as the hospital that offers it is across the street from the school. Is that something that a CNS would do as well?

Are you still working as a Perinatal CNS now? If so, what do you do now that you are no longer working in the NICU?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I worked in roles with a variety of titles for 10 years -- NICU CNS, NICU Staff Development, etc. for 10 years. Then I went back to school and got a PhD. After a very brief stint teaching undergraduates, I went back to a NICU CNS-type role. After 4 years of that, I now work at a Children's Hospital in their Staff Development Department -- coordinating their extern program, chairing the research and evidence-based practice committee, and working on their Magnet efforts.