The Advanced Practice Clinical Nurse Specialist

Abstract

The clinical nurse specialist (CNS), one of the 4 advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) categories, has a unique role to play in contributing to high-quality patient care and system-level change across multiple health care settings. CNS practice requires advanced knowledge and skills, including specialty expertise, the ability to integrate new knowledge and innovation into the system of care, the ability to consult and collaborate with all health professions, and the mentoring of nursing staff to support and fully implement that new knowledge. The purpose of this article was to describe the role of the CNS, explain the background of the CNS role as it relates to APRN practice, provide current CNS workforce statistics, and share opportunities for hospitals and health systems to strategically use CNSs to advance patient and organizational goals.

Construct validity of clinical nurse specialist core competency scale: An exploratory factor analysis

“…Overall, the finding of a four-competency-factor solution reflects similarities in the US and Canadian CNS competencies. The US CNS competencies are grouped under three spheres of patient, nursing and organisation (Baldwin et al, 2007) other specialty practitioners such as nurse administrators work in this sphere (Hanson & Hamric, 2003), the CNS practice within the organisation is supported by the other complimentary competence areas of patient, clinical nursing leadership and scholarship, which enable them to influence the organisational outcomes in the micro-, meso-and macrosystem (Mayo et al, 2017;Mohr & Coke, 2018).…”

The effectiveness of extended care based on Internet and home care platform for orthopaedics after hip replacement surgery in China

“…Nurse specialists are the best candidates to provide professional home care services for patients with chronic diseases (Bryant‐Lukosius et al., ; Mayo, Ray, Chamblee, Urden, & Moody, ). However, nurse specialist team building is still in the development stage, and the absolute number of nurse specialists is still far from sufficient in China (Tian et al., ).…”

From shadow to change agent: Revitalization of the clinical nurse specialist role

“…These efforts generate significant cost savings. The CNS is a change agent in the prevention of HACs, leading to improved care and health care cost savings 6 . In support of the evidence in the literature, the proposed model/structure included having the CNS report to a Director of Nursing.…”

“…The CNS was better positioned to help impact innovative change in the ever‐changing health care landscape (see Figure 2). 6 …”

“…The most powerful areas of influence of the CNS relate to improving quality care measures and nurse‐sensitive indicators. The CNS plays a unique role in contributing to high‐quality care and is prepared to deal with health care complexities at the front line or the patient level 6 . Therefore, organizational CNSs are now positioned based on their areas of specialty, strengths, and certification.…”