NAME: Kathleen M. Baldwin, PhD, RN, ACNS, ANP, GNP, CEN
CURRENT POSITION: Nurse researcher, Texas Health; retired faculty from Texas Christian University
CURRENT AFFILIATION(S): Texas Health, Fort Worth; Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
AREA(S) OF SPECIALIZATION: Adult, gerontology, emergency/critical care nursing
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION: PhD in nursing from Texas Women's University; postdoctoral in nursing intervention from the University of Utah
CERTIFICATIONS: Adult health clinical nurse specialist, adult nurse practitioner, gerontological nurse practitioner
Describe why service at the professional level is important to you, and what motivated you to commit to these particular aspects of service for which you were recognized?
I have always been a member of professional nursing organizations. Most nurses reach a time in their nursing careers when they start thinking about becoming more involved and giving back more of their time and expertise to the profession. Working within NACNS (National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists) gave me the opportunity to do that. I hope to continue to work at the state and national level to promote the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) role, the true advanced practice nursing role.
What first motivated you to become a CNS?
I jokingly tell folks that I have been a closet CNS for my entire career. I view the CNS role as the only advanced practice role focused on improving nursing care. To me, the CNS is what every nurse should strive to be.
What, if any, professional or career issues did you face early in your career as a CNS?
Title protection and advanced practice recognition have been continuing issues for CNSs. I returned to school for my CNS after obtaining 2 nurse practitioner certifications, which I obtained because I was living in a state without any CNS programs. There should be no state, no city, and no health care institution where the role of the CNS isn't visible, in my opinion.
What do you perceive are the key areas of service for CNS today in regard to patients? To other CNSs? And to the nursing profession in general?
I believe the key patient area for all CNS service is transitional care, particularly for geriatric patients with multiple chronic diseases. There is little time in today's acute care settings for patient teaching, and patients often go home unsure of what to do. Outpatient follow-up by CNSs would alleviate that problem.
I believe that the key CNS area for CNS service is developing of local or regional CNS organizations. Such organizations provide mentoring opportunities for new CNSs and help to promote the CNS role at a local or regional level.
I believe that the key CNS area for the nursing profession for the CNS is adding to the body of nursing knowledge. Clinical nurse specialists do wonderful work improving nursing care quality, saving money, and translating evidence into practice, but often do not publish their work. It is imperative for the nursing profession that publication occurs.
To date, what do you perceive as your greatest accomplishments as a CNS?
I led the national validation study for the NACNS core CNS competencies. Although this national study took a long time and a lot of work to complete, it was very worthwhile to me to see that all of the competencies validated by the respondents.
What do you enjoy or value most about the role of a CNS?
I like the clinical research piece of the role most. Planning and conducting clinical research projects are my idea of fun.
What advice would you give a new CNS starting out in this role?
1. Find a mentor.
2. Actively participate in the CNS listserv.
3. Take and pass a national certification examination.
4. Choose your first job carefully-you want to have a good fit between your first employer and you.
5. Give back-mentor, teach, be active in a nursing organization.