On September 18, 2013, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) released "Achieving Specialty Competency for Clinical Nurse Specialists" paper. This document is crucial to have in the public domain as the nursing community moves forward with the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Regulatory Model. I wish to express my sincere thanks to all of those who diligently worked to bring this document to fruition. Peggy Barksdale, Anne Muller, and Janet Fulton are key individuals I want to acknowledge for their tireless efforts to get it right. NACNS strongly supports the continuation of specialty practice education for the clinical nurse specialist (CNS). Specialty practice is the principal element and the hallmark of this advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) role and must be maintained in the context of the new population-based licensure model articulated in the Consensus Model for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education (APRN Consensus Model). The paper offers options for specialty content and practice competencies as well as options for graduate programs.
The CNS is at the forefront of innovations that shape the future of professional practice and advance the care that we provide to our patients. I have spent a significant amount of time reviewing job advertisements and queries for talented individuals to fill open CNS positions across the nation. There is not a week that passes without a consulting firm seeking candidates for CNS positions or a personal phone call comes in asking if I know of a CNS who could fill their CNS roles. These opportunities cross all populations and specialties. Words and phrases I have found in the job postings are no surprise to any of you. Below are just a few examples without identifying the organizations. "The CNS is accountable for collaborating with members of the healthcare team to design, implement, and measure safe, cost-effective, evidence-based care strategies. The CNS is responsible for maintaining current professional knowledge and competencies and contributing to the advancement of the practice of nursing at the unit/system, local, state, and/or national and international level." "We are seeking a dynamic clinical nurse specialist primarily focused on the trauma resuscitation unit w ho is energized and engaged in carrying out the vision of the world renowned Trauma Center at the University Medical Center." "As a clinical nurse specialist, you will work in collaboration with nursing colleagues and healthcare providers from other disciplines to lead change by developing strategic initiatives that foster excellent care, optimizing patient and family outcomes." "The clinical nurse specialist is responsible for serving short term adolescence (aged 12-18 years ) in need of psychiatric coverage. Coverage involves monitoring medications, behavior and mental status of clientele. Additionally, the clinical nurse specialist is responsible for maintaining compliance with all state policies, standards, and protocols, including all pertinent documentation."
Clinical nurse specialist s are in demand! This is why I encourage all of you to look to the future as a CNS with confidence and resolve. You are the leaders who will actively lead transformation of healt hc are delivery in your facilities, areas of expertise and specialty, and in the communities you reside. According to Webster, to lead is to identify the need for change, articulate a new vision, and generate commitment to the new vision. Be part of the transformation, guiding interprofessional teams to excellence.
NACNS is taking bold steps to lead and advocate for the CNS now and in years to come. At the October Board meeting, all board members participated in strategic planning for the next 5-year plan. A plethora of ideas were generated, and a framework for a new plan with careful examination and review of our mission statement, goals, and budget was the result. The board is unified in its determination to continue to establish and build partnerships and appropriately reduce the cacophony that arose with the APRN Regulatory Consensus Model. Melinda Mercer-Ray, executive director, and I represent NACNS at LACE (Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Examination). There is a noticeable positive response to the needs of our members and concerns that must be addressed as the model is enacted. Collaboration, thoughtful and healthy discussion of issues, and provision of the evidence, all hallmarks of CNS practice, are critical moving forward. The Board of Directors plans to reveal the next strategic plan at the annual meeting in Orlando in March.
This has been a year of change, challenges, and celebrations. I sincerely thank each of you for maintaining your commitment to CNS practice and education and your ongoing membership in this vital organization. Please join me in Orlando in March to share in the successes of this year, networking with your colleagues and friends, and educational offerings that will stimulate and inform your practice.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALISTS NEWS
"Clinical Nurse Specialist" (CNS) for the iPad is now restricted to members and subscribers to the journal. Your subscription to CNS includes 6 print issues per year, full online access to cns-journal.com, including archived issues, and now exclusive access to the CNS iPad application! As a member, it is easy to continue access to issues of CNS for the iPad.
* Open the CNS app on your iPad, click "Sign In" at the top left of your screen, and follow the instructions.
If you have not seen CNS for the iPad, download today and join your colleagues who have already chosen CNS as their professional journal of choice. If you have questions or need assistance, LWW Customer Service can help. Contact them at [email protected] or call 1-800-638-3030.
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Annual Meeting
We hope to see you at the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) 2014 Conference. The conference offers the opportunity for you to network with your colleagues as well as enjoy the sunny resort environment of the Orlando World Center Marriott and, of course, the many activities in Orlando. Room rates at the Orlando World Center Marriott will be available for $189/night for single or double rooms. For specific questions about registration or hotel accommodations, please contact the NACNS office at 215-320-3881 or [email protected].
INTERPROFESSIONAL NEWS
Austin, Texas-With almost half of Americans living with chronic health conditions, an interprofessional team approach is needed to provide coordinated, high-quality patient care that improves patient outcomes. The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing's efforts to achieve this goal was recently advanced by a $1 million grant from the US Health Resources and Services Administration.
The 3-year grant will help integrate interprofessional education experiences with medicine, pharmacy, and social work into the curriculum to provide integrated, comprehensive, evidence-based care of persons with multiple chronic conditions in underserved populations. The expanded curriculum will be for students in the graduate-level Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program. Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice registered nurses eligible for prescriptive authority who are uniquely suited to work with interprofessional teams managing patients with multiple chronic conditions.
"In many cases, physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other allied health practitioners have struggled to find ways to work together for the good of the patient," said Alexa Stuifbergen, dean of the School of Nursing. "Because learning how to work in teams with other health care providers shouldn't begin on the job, several years ago we began to incorporate collaborative educational experiences into all levels of the nursing curricula. This grant will further our efforts to instill a team approach into nursing education and ultimately into health care settings."
Interprofessional education and team building are becoming essential parts of preparing tomorrow's healthcare professionals. The new Dell Medical School scheduled to open on the University of Texas at Austin campus in 2016 has stated a commitment to "improving human health through excellence in interprofessional and trans-disciplinary education, research, health care and community involvement." The new medical school will be unique in taking this foundational approach to interprofessional education.
"It's hard to change after years of doing things a certain way, but we're deliberately moving away from our academic silos to provide students with the tools they need to work seamlessly in interprofessional teams," said Gayle Timmerman, associate dean for academic affairs at the School of Nursing and project director of the Health Resources and Services Administration grant. "Health care is complex, and in order to achieve the best outcomes for patients, it's necessary to bring each discipline's unique perspective to the table."
For more information, contact Kathryn Wiley, School of Nursing, 512-471-9908, [email protected].
NEWS FROM OUR AFFILIATES CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST
I am pleased to acknowledge and CONGRATULATE our California Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CACNS) members' numerous achievements.
* CACNS will be holding their annual conference "Changing Healthcare One CNS at a Time" on Oct. 26th at Northbay HealthCare, Fairfield, CA.
* June Franklin, MSN, RN, CNS-Gerontology defended her thesis and completed the requirements for CNS in Gerontology through Point Loma Nazarene University.
* Cecilia Gray, MSN, RN, CNS, CWON has been appointed as the new Treasurer on the NACNS Board.
* Betty Halvorson, RN, MSN, ACNS-BC, MMGT a member of the Safe Patient Handling Committee, presented a poster at the 2nd Annual TMMC Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Symposium at Torrance Memorial Medical Center and received the Most Relevant New Poster Award.
* Jennifer McFarlane, RN, MSN, CNS, CCRN, CNRN, CBN presented her poster, "The Other Central Line Bundle" at the Improvement Science Research Network's annual conference in San Antonio, TX in July 2013.
* Ann Rocha, PhD(c), RN, MSN, CNS-BC a member of the NACNS Conference Steering Committee as well as the Education Committee want to alert members to the annual conference coming up on March 6-8, 2014 in Orlando, Florida. The Education Committee will be hosting a preconference on "Optimizing Educational Partnerships between Schools of Nursing, Clinical Agencies, and Preceptors."'
* Elizabeth Scruth, RN, PhD, MP.H CCNS, CCRN, will be presenting a research poster at the UCSF Research in Action days on October 25th: titled, "Gender and Secondary Risk Assessment following a ST Elevation Myocardial."
Submitted by: Diane Barkas, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN
NORTHEAST FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST
The Northeast Florida Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists meets monthly. We are fortunate to count 2 graduate students from the University of North Florida among our members: Precious Nolasco and Jeremy Ray. Another student member, Kimberly Wright, recently graduated and hopes to sit for certification soon. Two of our members passed the Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist certification: Lesia Mooney and Kara Hollins. Kara presently works in MICU, and Lesia was named the Neuro CNS at Mayo Clinic in Florida. Any one interested in attending future meetings may contact Jane Myrick @ [email protected].
Submitted by: Jane A. Myrick, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC
NORTHEAST NEW YORK CLINICAL NURSES SPECIALIST GROUP
After much hard work by the CNSs of NYS, the CNS title protection bill was signed by the Governor on September 27, 2013. Memos of support were received from the NYS Nurses Association, ANY NY, NY Patient Nurse Alliance, NYS Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Inc, and Nurse Practitioner Association New York State. Special thanks to NACNS chapters Upstate New York and Northeast New York for taking the lead of this most worthwhile project.
Submitted by: Melanie Kalman, RN, CNS, PhD
MEMBER NEWS CALL FOR NEWS ITEMS
If you have information you want to share about yourself, your NACNS peers, or your affiliate/affiliate peers, please send the news item to Tanya D. Williams at [email protected].