This article was initiated to help two graduating Master's students learn what might be expected of them upon graduation. The purpose of this article is to provide insight from reviewing the current literature on clinical nurse specialist's (CNS's) characteristics. The authors believe that this information is especially useful for graduate CNS students and helpful for those who currently hold CNS positions. Based on a literature review, the article categorizes descriptions of the characteristics of the CNS role as perceived by the CNS, management, staff nurses, and physicians. Within the identified perceptions of each group were the following similarly common CNS role components: (a) clinical practice, (b) education, (c) administration, (d) research, and (e) consultation. The key to congruent expectations and understanding of the CNS role is clear communication between the members of each group. Without this communication, the common result is ambiguity, conflict, and frustration.
Falls prevention is a complex problem. Following in the footsteps of an earlier fall prevention team, the Safe Landings Fall Prevention Team used many strategies for implementing a fall prevention/reduction program. The tactics we used to prevent falls combined with the adoption of a fall assessment risk model are shared.
The Uniform Needs Assessment Instrument (UNAI) was developed to systematically assess the continuing care needs of high-risk older adults in response to the 1986 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Based on previous studies, a revised UNAI was tested with 103 hospitalized older adults, comparing usual discharge planning with the UNAI. High interrater reliability was obtained. The UNAI had high (> or = 85%) sensitivity and specificity when comparing needs identification on the UNAI with subjects' reported needs at 10 to 14 days after discharge. Overall, the UNAI was more effective (sensitive and specific).
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