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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:
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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
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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.
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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
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Your Opportunities for Growth
through participation in NACNS
• Legislative/Regulatory Committee
• Membership Committee
• Nominating Committee
• Practice Committee
• Research Committee
• Affiliate Advisory Committee
• Education Committee
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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
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Contact Information
JOIN TODAY! Membership applications are easy to get, simple to
complete and convenient to submit.
NATIONAL OFFICE
NACNS
100 North 20th Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19103
PHONE
FAX
EMAIL
ONLINE
(215) 320-3881
(215) 564-2175
info@nacns.org
www.nacns.org
STAFF
Ethan Gray, Managing Director
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Join today!
Find out more at nacns.org
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