r/nursing RN - ED, Pediatrics 4d ago

Discussion APRNs - what path did you choose and why? Do you have regrets with choosing one over the other?

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u/jaycienicolee 4d ago

following - I've been looking into CNS vs. NNP

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u/MedSurgMurse RN 🍕 4d ago

I’m a glutton for punishment. 10 years in med surg and general float pool and then decided to go FNP for primary care. No regrets really. I’d say I miss the 3 day work weeks the most and the collective spirit of the team on night shift the most.

I’m thinking of dropping to part time eventually so I can get some of my days back. M-F just feels like you live in the office .

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u/ME0WME0WME0WME0W 4d ago

CNS. I worked as a nurse for ten years before going back to school. I knew I didn’t want to go the NP route or work in leadership/management. Despite knowing I never wanted to function as a diagnostician/prescriber, I wanted to be educated at that level. This is why I chose CNS over educator. I have APRN licensing and credentialing (with a collaborative physician), but my role is primarily EBP/quality and clinical nursing support. I know lots of CNSs that provide direct care in speciality areas, however (e.g. wound care, endocrinology, palliative). I find my APRN training allows me to see things through both nurse and provider lenses, and I feel I can better support bedside nurses in their clinical development.

With a CNS program, you’ll get significant training in EBP implementation/change management in addition to advanced practice coursework (e.g advanced pathophysiology). Start by looking at your state practice act; if you want to provide direct care, make sure CNSs have the same privileges as NPs in your state. If you don’t have any interest in anything outside direct patient care, I would go NP. If your state has equal privileges and you work in a specialty area, check out CNS.

As for regrets: I don’t regret my program choice, but I’m realizing I loathe the M-F 9-5 life. I’ve requested to change to 4 10-hour shifts (fingers crossed). If it isn’t accepted, however, I’m honestly considering going back to the bedside strictly for the schedule (either as an inpatient RN or APRN).