Health Policy and Advanced Practice Nursing, 4th Edition | Chapter 41

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

11-1-2025

Editor

Kelly A. Goudreau and Mary C. Smolenski

Abstract

Today, the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is the most versatile of all advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). This is due to the CNS’ unique ability to impact what De Witt (1900) might now say are the three spheres of healthcare: patient care, nurses and nursing, and organizations and systems. The CNS has multiple roles within each sphere (and often more than one sphere). A role is a set of expected functions of a CNS and is characterized by a pattern of behavior in a given context, while CNS practice is what one does in a role. Although the CNS has traditionally been viewed as working in one of the traditional CNS roles (expert clinician, educator, researcher, and/or implementer of evidence-based practice, leader, or consultant), integrating these roles contributes to the CNS’ successful practice. This chapter discusses the CNS conceptual model and the future of CNS practice.

First Page

330

Last Page

335

Chapter Title

Chapter 41 - What the Future Holds for Clinical Nurse Specialists and Health Policy

Publisher

Springer Publishing Company

Comments

Featured in Faculty Publications Display; September 2026

ISBN

[9780826159328, 9780826179517]

Rights

Copyright © 2026 Springer Publishing Company, LLC

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