To give you an understanding on the CCNS certification, here are the details about the CCNS exam content and some of the eligibility required for one to take the said examination.

CCNS Examination Content

The CCNS exam content consist of about 175 multiple choice items to be answered for about 3.5 hours. 155 of the total test items are scored while the remaining 20 items are used to gather stat data on item performance to be regarded for the future examinations. This exam concentrates on the areas of adult, pediatric and neonatal patient population. The Professional Caring as well as Ethical Practice comprises the 78% of the said examination while the remaining 22% comprises of Clinical Judgment.

Some of the Initial Eligibility Required

Here are some of the initial eligibility required for the CCNS certification. You can find the total package of the required eligibility at the ACCN.

• Unencumbered license being a Registered Nurse or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the U.S.  This is not subject under the formal discipline of any Board of Nursing presently. If restrictions are given to certified CCNS and candidates’ RN and APRN license, they are required to report within 30 days to the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Corporation. Submission of a scanned or photocopied RN or APRN license together with the application for the CCNS examination is also required.
• One must have finished a graduate degree in advanced practice such as the master’s degree or a doctorate degree in nursing with a specialization on acute/critical care clinical nurse specialist in an accredited educational institution.  The curriculum of the program must the consistency of competencies in the acute/critical care CNS practice.
• A 500 hours of clinical practice in the master’s degree program is a must which involves 1 patient population for adult, pediatric and neonatal.

For more info, visit the ACCN certification corporation.

Because they are APNs, many of those who have taken the adult health clinical nurse specialist certification gained the chance to become case managers, APNs in health care facilities or in joint practice with physicians in the field. Their wide knowledge and skills in complex physiological patient care has made AHCNS to become more in demand now in the United States.

A credentialing body for this is the American Nurses Credentialing Center. There will be a computer-based test which requires you to pay an examination fee first prior to taking the said exam. However, the fee varies which depends if whether you are an American Nurses Association member or a National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists member. Once you are able to pass the said exam, you will be given a credential as an Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist – Board Certified (AHCNS – BC). Being a licensed professional in this field, it is a must to renew your certification every after 5 years by applying for a renewal at the American Nurses Credentialing Center before your certificate expires –for at least 3 months.

What is the required Eligibility?

You are required to have the following eligibility before you can become a certified AHCNS.

•  You must be a registered nurse (RN). License should be legally issued by government agency assigned for it either inside the U.S. or abroad.

• Must have at least a master’s degree in nursing level from an accredited educational institution. It should be accredited by any of the two accrediting agencies: Commission on the Collegiate of Nursing Education (CCNE) and National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

•  Must have accomplished a 500 hours or more being a Clinical Nurse Specialist under supervision by a faculty member as part of the degree program.

• Must have the following subjects in the course work:

                     ***Advanced Health Assessment

                     ***Advanced Pathophysiology

                     ***Advanced Pharmacology

Regarding Certification Examination  

The certification examination for the adult health clinical nurse specialist comprises of 175 test items divided into 6 areas such as the Nursing Nurse, Organization/Network/Health System, Research, Education, Basic and Applied Science, Professional Attitudes. Please take note of the following components and its equivalents below:

There are several benefits that are being enjoyed by the registered nurses who decide to enroll for clinical nurse specialist programs. Most of them are being promoted in their working place. They have also enjoyed the increase of their monthly salary after they have provided their human resource personnel with the certification from an accredited online programs or institution. They have also developed their knowledge by acquiring the latest issues on the nursing theory which are scientifically approved and supported by nursing research. Another benefit involves the development of nursing skills which are brought by intensive clinical practice with reinforcement by the current nursing practice based on the investigative research made by nurses as well. They have cultivated their attitude towards different people with various cultures which are also tackled in the program.

Why is it Important?

Learning is a continuous practice that involves with the current updates. There are seminars that have been organized in different locations to reach out nurses who wanted to expand their learning.  This is very important for the growth and development of the career. It is said to have a major influence to nurses because this allows them to specialize on a certain area. Most especially if a nurse is employed in a hospital that is recognized to be accredited with International Standard Operations (ISO), they need to have a degree that is part of the requirement in assessing the entire facility. This program is very important in providing health services to the people because there are traditional practices that are being omitted due to some clinical findings that it proven to commit errors and difficulties.

How to Find it?

Recently, there are many nurses who successfully passed the state board examination anywhere in the world. This is because of the increasing demand in the health care society that needs nurses and other health care personnel to provide services to those people who needs it. One of the current trends in nursing education is by providing a post-graduate course  which aims to direct nurses in providing a specific field of nursing. To find an appropriate program for you, you should consider the following factors. These factors include:

1. The standard. There are many clinical nurse specialist programs which have varying standards. To make sure that your chosen institution or online program provides high standard, you can always ask for their background and performances. By asking their formerly clients, you can easily check their profile. There are nursing organizations in your country that also recommends a list of top performing institution or online programs; and
2. The quality. It is very important for you to make sure that the mode of their teaching strategy must be very comprehensive. There are programs that have complicated curriculum and this can jeopardize the quality of their service. An online or institution that offers this program must be capable of incorporating reliable resources and information that are easily digested by their enrollees.

What are the Roles They Perform Daily?

 Clinical nurse specialist are registered nurses having advanced practice and have attained a master’s or doctorate degree from institutions providing CNS programs. They have acquired specialization in one or two fields and have achieved clinical expertise to improve nursing practices and outcomes. They perform several daily roles as they fulfill their duties.

 Clinical nurse specialists are involved in direct clinical practice as a part of their daily roles. No longer are they are reduced to mere assistants, but are active in advanced assessment of the patient’s condition. Moreover, they take charge of implementing nurse care as they see fit and are also responsible for the evaluation of the results of the treatments the patient underwent.

They are expert in coaching and guidance as well. Being more experienced and knowledgeable than most practice nurses, they should help nurses integrate new methods in the practice and provide education and teaching skills not only to nurses, but also to the patients and their families.

In order to successfully carry out their daily roles, they require collaboration with nurses and doctors alike. Collaboration yields positive results and opens opportunities for teambuilding. Medical specialists with notable teamwork flawlessly perform duties requiring the aid of others. This is of great benefit to the patient, personal and professional relations, and to the profession itself.

Consultation is also of great importance to them as they perform their daily roles. This involves a careful and thorough review of alternative approaches and implementing alterations whenever necessary.

Research is one of their daily roles and ensures professional growth among nurses. Methods and treatments may become outdated as new breakthroughs in the field surface. Research equips them with the knowledge and skills that allow them to keep up with the changing times.

They are also expected to assume clinical and professional leadership as one of their daily roles. Not only should they guide nurses and the like, but also introduce change and innovation in the patient care system. Moreover, they should take an active part in dealing with dilemmas, allocating funds, and patient care.

Indeed, clinical nurse specialists play several roles in the clinical setting and are indispensable to the medical society.

What are the Requirements?

Becoming a nurse practitioner is probably the first step in earning a clinical nursing specialist certificate. Aspiring nurses need only take up the high school courses required for the nursing program. Individuals interested in becoming a licensed practical nurse should be intelligent, tactful, caring, and possess sound judgment. These skills, along with good health and physical stamina, are very important in this line of work. They should also have a sincere interest in people and be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with them. They are often responsible for observing patients, recording their reactions to medications and treatments, and reporting the results to the registered nurse or physician in charge. CNS Certification requires nurses to show competency in specific areas of nursing care.

Additional training is available to allow practical nurses to care for patients in specialized areas of medicine such as pediatrics, surgery, recovery, obstetrics, and psychiatry All students for this program must have completed an advanced education degree in nursing. Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice nurses who are in high demand by employers. Working registered nurses enter this for practice specialization education and potential career advancement opportunities. Qualified nurses who enter a program choose from a number of specialties, including diabetes management, gerontology, family practice, adult health, pediatrics, and community health. This can be completed in 1-2 years. Programs are primarily available via 4-year education institutions. Many certificate programs have a minimum clinical or working hours requirement.

Areas of Specialty

Education in CNS certificate programs is centered on advanced nursing practices. Specific courses will vary based on chosen specialty, such as geriatric care, adult health or family practice nursing. Common courses may include advanced practice nursing theory, advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, advanced pharmacology, resource development & financial management, evidence-based practice, research methodology, clinical nurse specialist practicum, healthcare ethical issues, and pathophysiology.

Earning the clinical nursing specialist certification opens opportunities for personal and professional development, while allowing individuals to earn more.

So the first thing to do is to get a RN certification. You must first take an Associate Degree in Nursing (AND) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) that are offered in almost every colleges and universities across the globe. An AND is a 2 to 3-year course that specializes on a large variety of nursing disciplines. A BSN is a 4-year course that covers everything that is taught in an AND program, introduction to contemporary researches, nursing theories, and normally used technologies. After graduating from an AND or a BSN program, one must be able to pass the RN certification exam for him or her to get an RN certification.

 After becoming a registered nurse, one must gain experience. An RN can begin as a staff nurse in a hospital. Of course, just like any other professional attempts, a good performance yields job progression opportunities. Several registered nurses want to concentrate in advanced practice nursing but it requires a master’s degree. Experience is important for graduate schools requires their students to at least have a good working experience. It won’t be possible for a RN to become such without having professional experience beforehand.

Areas of Specialization

You must decide to what specialization you are going to focus to. A clinical nurse specialist, unlike regular registered nurses, focuses on a single field of specialty only. You can choose to specialize in Acute Care Nursing, Adult Nursing, Cardiovascular Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Geriatric Nursing, Home Health Nursing, Infectious Disease Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, Occupational Health Nursing, Oncology Nursing, Parent-Child Nursing, Prenatal Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Rehabilitation Nursing, School Health Nursing, or Women’s Health Nursing.

Pre-requisite Program

After choosing an area of interest, a registered nurse must now enroll in a graduate school to take a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). This 2-year program will combine instructive training with stress on the field of specialty preferred.

Finally, after graduating from an MSN program, one must acquire a Clinical Nurse Specialist credential. A RN who has finished an MSN program can now take a CNS certification exam. Furthermore, a post-master’s certificate program is offered to these nurses with advanced practice who wish to add a specialization.

They are basically registered nurses having advanced practiced and have attained a master’s or doctorate degree from accredited  institutions. They have acquired specialization in one or two fields and have achieved clinical expertise to improve nursing practices and outcomes.

What’s the Difference?

Clinical nurse specialists are involved in direct clinical practice. No longer are they are reduced to mere assistants, but are active in advanced assessment of the patient’s condition. Moreover, they take charge of implementing nurse care as they see fit. They are also responsible for the evaluation of the results of the treatments the patient underwent. Being more experienced and knowledgeable than most practice nurses, they help nurses integrate new methods in the practice.More than that, they provide education and teaching skills to fellow nurses. As a matter of fact, a report released by Salary.com in February 2011 their annual salary. According to said report, their average annual salary is $87,800. The lowest annual salaries were at $73,400 while the top-earners can bring in as much as $102,550 annually.

Practical nurses are often responsible for observing patients, recording their reactions to medications and treatments, and reporting the results to the registered nurse or physician in charge. Practical nurses or nurse practitioners perform duties that may include giving injections, taking vital signs, performing basic diagnostic tests, observing patients, dressing wounds, and administering medication. They also assist patients in daily living activities such as eating, dressing, exercising, and bathing. They are often simply assistants to registered nurses and advanced practice nurse such as CNS. They usually work under the supervision of registered nurses, physicians, or dentists. Additional training is available to allow them to care for patients in specialized areas such as pediatrics, surgery, recovery, obstetrics, and psychiatry. They also work in various health care facilities that include hospitals, nursing homes, dental offices, mental health institutions, private homes, community health clinics, and public health departments. They also earn less as compared to CNS.  Several salary reports show they can earn an annual income as low as $38,256, with only $73,791 for the highest-earners.

Indeed, these nursing practice are closely related jobs but are quite different from one another. It is clear that clinical nurse specialists perform much less menial jobs and are able to earn more, as compared to nurse practitioners.

In other words, they can be all-around nurses that can give more expertise in the line of medicine in a hospital. A hopeful nurse who wishes to pursue an online Clinical Nurse Specialist program must first be a graduate of a bachelor or associate degree in nursing, must have a good working experience, and must have finished a two year program in the master’s degree, which students can take in full or part-time, with at least 500 hours of intensive hands-on training. One must be expert in clinical practice, teaching or academic field, research or study, consulting, and health management or administration.

Specialty Areas Available for Online Programs

If you would want to enroll in an online program, you must first choose a line of specialty. Some of the specializations are Acute Care Nursing, Adult Nursing, Cardiovascular Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Geriatric Nursing, Home Health Nursing, Infectious Disease Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, Occupational Health Nursing, Oncology Nursing, Parent-Child Nursing, Prenatal Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Rehabilitation Nursing, School Health Nursing, or Women’s Health Nursing.

A full-time completion of a master’s degree will only take 2 years to finish while a part-time will take a student 2-4 years to complete. Lessons will be transmitted electronically through discussion boards, visual media such as chat rooms, video presentations, recorded lessons, or live conferencing. Aside from at-home discussions and lectures, you will also have to complete a hands-on training or know-how at the medical facility or institution that offered the online program. But of course you must first have a working experience in a hospital as a registered nurse. Some of the courses that a yout can take in a master’s degree are Theory Course, Pharmacology Course, and Biostatics Course.

If you are already a certified clinical nurse specialist and you desire to pursue another field of specialization, you can take a post-master’s certification as an option. Courses that can be taken by a post-master’s CNS are Pathophysiology Course, Health Assessment Course, and Clinical Practicum Course.

Online Schools to Choose From

Some of the most popular accredited schools that offers the program online are the Walden University, Kaplan University, Grand Canyon University, Herzing University, Liberty University, Colorado Technical University, Capella University, University of Phoenix, DeVry University, and Strayer University.

Salary Review

Conducting a survey, Salary.com places the average salary for clinical nurse specialists at $81,586 in a November 2009 salary report.  The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists disclosed that they in the United States alone can fetch an annual salary with its low at $65,000 and its higher end at $110,000 and depends on the nurse’s geographic location and specialization. Another salary report released by Salary.com in February 2011 showed a significant increase in their salary. According to said report, their average annual salary is $87,800. The lowest annual salaries were at $73,400 while the top-earners can bring in as much as $102,550 annually.

Factors to Consider the Value

Their earnings relatively increase with work experience. A May 2010 salary survey of Payscale .com reveals that with less than one year of work experience, they only bring in salaries between $51,000 and $68,765. Those with work experience of five to nine years bring home between $59,996 and $79,791. The salary range significantly rises to $62,380 and $92,413 for those who have been on the job for more than 20 years, according to the report.

Moreover, their salaries greatly depend on the geographic location. For an instance,  they can earn about $62,300 per year in Montana, while those in New Jersey had annual pay rates of $102,550, according to Salary.com in February 2011. Those working in in Oklahoma had an average annual salary of $80,750; in Virginia, $82,970; in Minnesota, $87,020; and in California, $95,520.

Another factor that can affect earnings in the nursing profession is industry. Those employed by general medical and surgical hospitals earn highest, with an average annual salary of $63,880. Those working in the offices of doctors make $59,210 on average. Those employed in nursing care facilities were paid least, at $57,060 annually.

Indeed, there are many factors that affect their annual salaries.  Work experience, geographic location, and the industry determine how much a they will earn. However, no matter the experience, location, or industry, it is undeniable that they do very well in the job market and are paid quite a hefty annual salary.

Yes, you can now earn a nursing degree online. There are several options available to you through online college programs. The programs offered online are intended to better prepare and educate nurses for their particular field of interest. These online programs are also designed to instruct nurses on how they can provide the best patient care possible.  Many of the nursing careers today require a specific degree in order to obtain a job as a nurse. By enrolling in an online nursing program you will not only be working towards a highly respected degree, but you will also obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to help you advance in your nursing career. Whether you are just entering into the world of nursing or you have decided to further your education as a nurse professional, you will find many online nursing colleges that offer degrees and programs for both. By deciding to earn your course, you will be able to set the pace of your education as you see fit.  This means that you are not necessarily required to be in a classroom on a set day and time of each week as required by many college campus settings. You will have the opportunity to work around your busy schedule and work at your convenience.  You can choose to work on your schooling late at night or early in the morning, the choice is yours.

Online Nursing Degree Programs Top Choices of 2012

CNS Degree – Clinical Nurse Specialist Degree

The clinical nurse specialist degree does not necessarily focus on one particular field within the nursing profession, but relates to many different specialty areas in nursing. As stated, cns nursing will provide several avenues to choose from while working toward your goal.  Below are just a few of the nursing specialties that you can specialize.

• Child Psychology and Mental Health
• Pediatrics
• Home Healthcare
• Diabetes – Advanced Management
• Community Health

LPN – Licensed Practical Nurse

An LPN, frequently referred to as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, require the least amount of schooling to enter into a nursing career.  On average, a Licensed Practical Nurse can acquire their lpn certification in approximately 1 year.  There is a limit to what practices and procedures an lpn can administer regarding patient healthcare. Simple and basic patient care can be provided by an lpn, and for the most part they will assist in the RNs daily patient care and responsibilities.  Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse does give you a great foundation and starting point into the nursing field, and it also provides several options to branch off into new and exciting nursing careers.

BSN to DNP – Bachelors of Science to Doctor of Nursing Practice

Having a bsn, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, qualifies you to join the nursing profession as an RN, registered nurse. You may also want to advance your nursing career by enrolling in a bsn to dnp (doctor of nursing practice) program. When you have finished a dnp program, you can work as a health care executive, a policy expert or a clinical expert. If you have these plans for your career, learn about the important programs online for completing your bsn to dnp degree. Understanding this nursing degree option will help you determine what path is best for you.