Spotlight on Our Clinical Nurse Specialist Program (CNS week is Sept. 1-7)

The position is highly employable and creates opportunities for making real changes in health systems.
 

This article was originally published in Jan. 2014. The article has been republished in honor of National Clinical Nurse Specialist Recognition Week, Sept. 1-7

“A clinical nurse specialist is focused on bringing evidence to the bedside and implementing system wide changes to improve patient outcomes” says Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and University of Michigan School of Nursing (UMSN) Associate Professor Cynthia Arslanian-Engoren, Ph.D., RN, ACNS-BC, FAHA, FAAN.

CNSs are registered nurses prepared with a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing who are expert clinicians in specialized areas of nursing practice (e.g., adult gerontology, pediatrics). "Systems and safety, patients and families, and nursing staff are important spheres of influence for the CNS,” says Dr. Arslanian-Engoren. “CNSs help reduce the incidence of patient falls and infections, length of stay, and errors by fatigued personnel. This translates to reduced costs and increased patient satisfaction. CNSs are also entrepreneurs and consultants who run their own businesses."

“I have found this to be the most challenging work I’ve ever done but also the most rewarding,” says CNS and UMSN alumna Tara Nichols. “A CNS is not only doing the work but trying to help people understand what the work is and why you are doing it.”

Nichols cites the implementation of a therapeutic hypothermia protocol as a point of pride in her career. The treatment lowers the risk of complications during immediate recovery for cardiac arrest patients by cooling the body for 24 hours. “The discussion and decision on this treatment for a patient needs to happen right away,” says Nichols. “But the necessary equipment was all over the place. Working with the nurses, doctors, clerks, and people in central distribution we put together a hypothermia cart similar to a crash cart and it’s kept in one spot. That way anyone who needs it knows where it is and everything they need is in the cart. It makes a difference and I’m proud of that.”

Nichols and fellow UMSN alumna Nicole Gillis agree that a CNS position is a good fit for a nurse who wants to remain closely involved with patients, but also take a leadership role. “As a CNS, I am able to directly influence patient care outcomes at the bedside through the implementation of evidence-based nursing practice,” says Gillis. “On the organizational level, I am able to function as a change agent by serving as a consultant on best practices, conducting research, educating and mentoring nursing staff, and enhancing professional nursing practice system wide.”

CNSs were recently ranked Number 2 on the CNN.com list of the “Best Jobs in America,” receiving “A” marks for personal satisfaction, benefit to society, and flexibility. The position received a “C” for job stress. Dr. Arslanian-Engoren recognizes that creating change within an established system can be challenging and not always easy to accomplish. However, CNSs, by virtue of their education and role focus, are prepared to help implement system wide improvements in health care delivery systems to improve patient care and patient outcomes. 

“Having the ability to positively affect many disciplines, patients, families and the organization is truly a fulfilling experience,” says Gillis, who credits her UMSN education as a key reason for her professional success. “You have the opportunity to connect with nursing professionals within multiple fields of health care and the relationships are invaluable. UMSN provided me endless opportunities for advancement in my career.”

“Many of our students who graduate from our program have secured CNS positions upon graduation,” says Dr. Arslanian-Engoren. “In addition to learning assessment and management skills, our CNS students have been mentored by faculty to build clinical scholarship and to disseminate it at professional conferences and in peer-reviewed publications. Students learn how to evaluate, translate and apply research. This is what sets our graduate apart from others and why they are so highly valued.”

Learn more about UMSN’s CNS programs.