The Role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Future of Health Care in the United States

Authors

Jacqueline M. Gordon, Penn State Hershey Medical Center
Jennifer D. Lorilla, Tripler Army Medical Center
Cheryl A. Lehman, University of Texas Health Science CenterFollow

Date of this Version

2012

Citation

Perioperative Nursing Clinics 7 (2012) 343–353; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cpen.2012.06.006

Abstract

• The needs of the health care system and expectations of health care consumers can be met by an exceptionally trained Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN): the clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
• However, role confusion related to the CNS, by developing competing roles that do not have APRN privileges, has created challenges for current and future CNSs to overcome.
• CNSs in the United States have consistently documented outcomes including improved quality of care, decreased costs, and improved patient satisfaction.