1. 2 who we are clinical nurse specialists (cns) clinical nurse specialists (cns) are licensed...

1

2

Who We Are

CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALISTS (CNS)

• Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are licensed registered nurses who have graduate preparation (Master’s or Doctorate) in nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

• Clinical Nurse Specialists are expert clinicians in a specialized area of nursing practice. The specialty may be identified in terms of a:– Population (e.g. pediatrics, geriatrics, women’s health)– Setting (e.g. critical care, emergency room)– Disease or Medical Subspecialty (e.g. diabetes, oncology)– Type of Care (e.g. psychiatric, rehabilitation)

– Type of Problem (e.g. pain, wounds, stress)

3

Who We Are (continued)

• Clinical Nurse Specialists practice in a wide variety of health care settings.

• In addition to providing direct patient care, Clinical Nurse Specialists influence care outcomes by providing expert consultation for nursing staffs and by implementing improvements in health care delivery systems.

4

Who We Are (continued)

• Clinical Nurse Specialist practice integrates nursing practice, which focuses on assisting patients in the prevention or resolution of illness, with medical diagnosis and treatment of disease, injury and disability

• Clinical Nurse Specialists are eligible to prescribe in 37 states. If a Clinical Nurse Specialist elects to use their prescriptive authority, they may prescribe durable medical equipment and/or pharmaceuticals.

5

Who We Are (continued)

• CNS practice is conceptualized across three spheres in which the CNS exerts influence:

– Patient/Client Sphere (Individual, Family, Community)

– Staff Sphere (Nurses, Nursing Practice)

– Organization/System Sphere

• Expert nursing practice in the patient/client sphere provides the underpinnings for CNS practice.

6

Selected Outcomes of CNS Practice

• Reduced Medical Complications in Hospitalized

Patients

• Reduced Hospital Costs and Length of Stay

• Improved Pain Management Practices

• Increased Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care

• Increase Professional Development of Nurses

• Reduced Frequency of Emergency Room Visits

7

CNS Statistics

• An estimated 59,242 RNs have the education and credentials to practice as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). Approximately 16,363 are prepared as both a nurse practitioner and a CNS. (HRSA, 2008 National Sample Survey of RNs)

• Depending upon the region of the country and clinical specialty, CNS salaries range from $65,000 to over $110,000 annually.

8

MISSION: To enhance and promote the unique, high value contribution of the clinical nurse specialist to the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups and communities, and to promote and advance the practice of nursing.

ESTABLISHED: Sept. 30/Oct. 1, 1995, in Indianapolis, IN

9

HERITAGE: Grew out of commitment from grassroots national representation of CNSs meeting collectively over a 6 year period at a biannual CNS conference sponsored in the Midwest by the Indiana University School of Nursing

NACNS is the first organization to represent CNSs and is responsible for clarification & dissemination of the nature of CNS practice within the US.

10

Strategic Goals

• Increase national visibility and influence of CNSs.

• Promote the growth and development of NACNS.

• Provide a national forum for CNSs to exchange information, share resources and discuss current issues .

• Maintain NACNS as the national authority for CNS practice, education, and research.

• Demonstrate the linkage of CNS practice to safe, high quality, evidence-based cost effective health care.

11

Membership Categories

STUDENT: An Individual Who

• holds a license to practice as a registered nurse;

• provides verification of enrollment as a part-time or full-time student in an accredited masters program that prepares clinical nurse specialists or is a clinical nurse specialist enrolled full-time in a doctoral program;

• pays dues at a reduced rate as established by the NACNS Board of Directors.

12

Membership Categories

REGULAR: An Individual Who:

• holds a license to practice as a registered nurse; and

• holds a masters/doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited program that prepares clinical nurse specialists, or has a masters/doctoral degree, in a related area;

• practices as a clinical nurse specialist or is doctorally prepared and is involved in the education and development of clinical nurse specialists;

• has paid the assessed dues; • is entitled to vote, hold office, and chair

committees.

13

Membership Categories

RETIRED: An Individual Who:

• pays dues at a reduced rate as established by the NACNS Board of Directors;

• may participate on committees; • retains voting rights.

14

Membership Benefits

• A subscription to Clinical Nurse Specialist: The Journal for Advanced Nursing Practice — 6 issues annually (a $97.91 value)

• Electronic Newsletter – CNS Communiqué

• Access to JBI Connect+: an array of web-based resources that support the use of evidence and the concept of evidenced-based practice in clinical decision making

• Access to information provided to members only, including the membership directory, updates on public policy and issues affecting practice and education. (continued)

15

Membership Benefits

• Reduced registration rates for the annual NACNS Conference

• Opportunities to be involved at a national level on committees that directly impact the NACNS and ultimately CNS practice across the country

• Assistance in the development of regional and local NACNS affiliates

(continued)

16

Membership Benefits

• Discount fees for ANCC CNS exams

• Representation in policy forums addressing your concerns about regulation, certification, reimbursement and other legislative and regulatory issues

• Representation in many national forums addressing nursing and CNS practice

• Communication via the NACNS website

17

National Leadership Role

Current Initiatives

• Dissemination of Criteria for the Evaluation of Clinical Nurse Specialist Master’s, Practice Doctorate, and Post-Master’s Certificate Educational Programs

• Development of Web-Based Case Studies for Geriatric Care.

• Implementation of a Legislative and Regulatory Agenda

• Development of Tool Kit for state legislative priorities.

18

National Leadership Role

• State based advocacy to achieve appropriate regulation of CNSs.

• Collaboration with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) on the annual survey of graduate education programs

(continued)

19

Your Opportunities for Growth

• Legislative/Regulatory Committee

• Membership Committee

• Nominating Committee

• Practice Committee

• Research Committee

• Affiliate Advisory Committee

• Education Committee

through participation in NACNS

20

Membership Fee Structure

Joining is a bargain, considering all the benefits you receive.

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP: $80.00

REGULAR MEMBERSHIP: $125.00

RETIRED MEMBERSHIP: $62.50

21

Contact Information

JOIN TODAY! Membership applications are easy to get, simple to complete and convenient to submit.

NATIONAL OFFICE NACNS100 North 20th Street, Suite 400Philadelphia, PA 19103

PHONE (215) 320-3881FAX (215) 564-2175EMAIL info@nacns.orgONLINE www.nacns.org

STAFF Ethan Gray, Managing Director

22

Join today! Find out more at nacns.org