Clinical Nurse Specialist Role Paper

The advanced practice nursing roles are similar in goals, however have their unique differences. The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) role as described by Hamric, Hanson, Tracy & O’Grady (2014) states it looks different from any other APN roles such as the nurse practiconer (NP). The confusion has continued over the last decade relating to the CNS role. The CNS role positively progresses and continues to provide opportunities to improve the healthcare system as health care reform advances (Hamric et al., 2014). The 1960’s is noted as the decade the clinical nurse specialty became recognized (Hamric et al., 2014). The CNS role has intentionally remained broad due to unending changing environments and must remain a multifaceted role, while maintaining the defining characteristic of direct patient care (Hamris et al., 2014).
The CNS is an advance practice registered nurse with a focus on the macrosystems with three scopes of influence. The three scopes of influence include the patient, nursing, and healthcare system (Stuesse, 2014). They are often the human answer to disease-specific situations (Stusesse, 2014). According to the core competencies outline by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists; the CNS demonstrates their knowledge and proficiency at the macro level by developing plans of care aimed to …show more content…
NP’s are master or doctorate prepared registered nurses who provide health evaluation and disease management services to their clients or patients (McClelland, 2014). In many states NP’s are independent providers and can prescribe medications and treatments (McClelland, 2014). According to Lynch (1996) NP’s proficiency in assessment and treatment helps them provide the greatest impact in patient delivery of care. These individuals will play a major role in providing an increase access to quality health care (Hamric et al.,