For Rick’s Final Round Up blog, outgoing President Rick Basset discusses posting CNS career opportunities on the NACNS website, book recommendations for the Clinical Nurse Specialist exam, and more!
- Can CNSs focus on mental health, and if so, where can they earn a degree for CNS/mental health?
While there is a past certification (can be renewed) for a Psych/Mental Health CNS, there is no current new certification for CNSs. Having said that, ANCC does offer a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC™) for RNs and APRNs, which further recognizes your specialization in the Psych/Mental Health specialty. - Is NACNS membership required to post a position?
Anyone can post CNS positions on the NACNS website https://careers.nacns.org/employer/pricing/. Both Employers and Job seekers are required to create an account, but are not required to be members. - I’m in West Central FL and trying to find a preceptor.
Please email info@nacns.org and request a response from the Affiliate Advisory Committee leaders. If you are a student member, we have a robust student group that could help locate a preceptor, and members who have selected to be contacted to be a preceptor as a member benefit. You can also search the NACNS membership (must be a member to access) by clicking “Member Search” and then putting Florida in the “Location” and selecting YES under the “Willing to Mentor” section. When I did this, it displayed 15 CNSs in Florida willing to mentor. - What books to use for the Clinical Nurse Specialist exam?
Here are a couple, but there are others out there to consider:- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification Review 1st edition | 9780826174161, 9780826174178 | VitalSource
- Adult-Gerontology CNS Exam – Mometrix: Adult-Gerontology CNS Exam Secrets Study Guide: CNS Test Review for the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Exam: 9781630942861: Medicine & Health Science Books on Amazon.com
- I was looking at what the renewal process looks like for a CNS. I saw if you do not work as a CNS you can submit CEUs and retake the exam for renewal. How realistic is this option? I do not currently live in a state that utilizes the CNS role. An educator role would be the closest role to this in my area.
- It depends on which exam you took, ANCC: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Cert | ANCC (https://www.nursingworld.org/) or ACCN: ACCNS-AG Certification Renewal – AACN (https://www.aacn.org/) Carefully review the recertification requirements for the one you took. There may be options to renew without retaking the exam.
- I always recommend keeping your certification current regardless of the state you practice in and, if needed, take the recertification exam.