Advanced Nursing Practice Essay

Shannon
September 25, 2013

Internationally the concept of specialized expert or advanced nursing is not new and can be identified as early as the 19th century in the United States Civil War. (Hamric et al., 2005; Jacobs 2007). Advanced nursing practice, however, became definitively established in the USA in the 1970’s through advances in educational preparation and clinical practice roles for both the CNS and NP (Harmic et al.). The present-day CNS role is also established in Australia, Taiwan, China, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (Chen, 2009; Hamric et al.). In each country the definition and scope of practice of the CNS are influenced by factors such as the national economy, culture, education, practice standards
The International Council of Nurses states: A nurse practitioner/advanced practice nurse is a registered nurse who has the expert Knowledge base, complex decision making skills and clinical competencies for expanded Practice, the characteristics of which are shaped by the context and/or country in which She/he is credentialed to practice. A master’s degree is recommended for entry level (ICN, 2005, p.
My purpose is to describe the evolving role of the clinical nurse specialist in hospitals and the effects this role has on patient outcomes and evidence based practice. In the acute setting, the clinical nurse specialist impacts quality initiatives at the bedside, on a unit-based level, and hospital wide. The expertise of the clinical nurse specialist is sought to assist, implement, and evaluate hospital-wide quality initiatives and cost-effective patient care practices. The impact of the clinical nurse specialist enhances patient care and professional nursing