The 2008 National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists National Conference is planned for Atlanta, Georgia, on March 5-8. More than 350 clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), graduate faculty, nurse administrators, nurse researchers, and graduate students are registered. This year's theme, Clinical Nurse Specialists: Leaders in Clinical Excellence, demonstrated the essential leadership skills of the CNS as well as the CNS role in implementing evidence-based practice.
One hundred three abstracts were submitted; 58 were selected for either podium or poster presentations. Again this year, there is a CNS student poster session. The abstracts addressed CNS practice in the 3 spheres emphasizing patient safety and quality care outcomes, leadership, evidence-based practice, and new ways to shape CNS practice. Topics include new research in diabetes care, designing CNS practice for specialty settings, strategies for maintaining clinical excellence, doctoral education choices for CNSs, building a healthy work environment through CNS-nurse manager partnerships, developing a CNS ladder for career advancement, and many new and thoughtful ideas for supporting CNS education and certification. Collectively, the abstracts represented the breadth, depth, and richness of the CNS's contribution to the well-being of the nursing profession, individuals, families, communities, and society.
The conference abstracts are published so that we may share new knowledge with those who were unable to attend the conference. As you read each abstract, appreciate the intellectual talent and clinical scholarship of your CNS colleagues who are advancing the practice of nursing and contributing to the health of society through improved outcomes for patients and healthcare organizations. We encourage you to contact individual presenters to network, collaborate, consult, or share your own thoughts and ideas on these topics. Watch out for next year's call for abstracts and consider submitting for presentation at the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists' next annual conference in St Louis, Missouri, March 11-14, 2009.
Note: Abstracts are in alphabetical order by title; authors are listed in alphabetical order.
Authenticating CNS Education: Capturing Current Practice
Camille P. Stern PhD, RN, and Helen M. Taggart DSN, RN, APRN,BC, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, Georgia
Purpose:
This presentation will discuss a methodological approach to ensuring that didactic and clinical expectations of clinical nurse specialist (CNS) students are truly reflective of current practice in complex organizations. Curricular review and enhancement using CNS stakeholders can help generate quality patient outcomes.
Significance:
The CNS works in an increasingly complex organizational culture and is responsible for patient safety and quality patient outcomes. Clinical nurse specialist curricula and clinical experiences must be complete and inclusive in the education and preparation of CNS students for practice environments.
Design:
Clinical nurse specialist educators must respond to many different factors in the designing curricula and must deliver an educational product which actually prepares CNS graduates for practice in complex organizational systems. The clarity of CNS practice is strongly enhanced by linking authentic practice elements to the CNS educational experience.
Methods:
The graduate faculty of the CNS program at Armstrong Atlantic State University initiated a curriculum revision project. The goal was to authenticate, through discussions with CNS key stakeholders, the inclusion of patient safety, organizational complexity, and quality patient outcomes while meeting the published criteria from the accrediting bodies. In addition to program faculty, 13 practicing CNSs and 4 students participated in the review.
Findings:
The revised curriculum meets the requirements and better reflects the real work of the CNS. Learning modules and activities related to complex organizational culture, patient safety, and patient outcomes were added.
Conclusions:
Inclusion of practicing CNSs and CNS students adds authenticity to curriculum revisions. In addition, the CNSs expressed appreciation for being included in the discussions.
Implications for Practice:
The dire shortage of CNSs means that CNS graduates must be able to assume the role immediately. Authentic practice can be more readily ensured when practicing CNSs are an integral part of the curricular revision. Educators must accurately ensure during the process of curricular revision maintaining close communication with practicing CNSs. Educational preparation must reflect practice.