CNSs and Other APRNs Provide Quality Care, Says National Nursing Leader
“We are incredibly disappointed that the American Medical Association (AMA) is fanning the flames of a settled argument with their call for the creation of a national strategy to oppose legislative efforts that grant full practice authority to non-physician practitioners (Resolution 214). In an effort to create concern among their members the AMA is utilizing inflammatory language implying clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are seeking to practice beyond their education and training. This is simply not true.
CNSs and other APRNs are key partners in providing quality and timely health care to patients across the country. CNSs have advanced education and training in advanced nursing care, physiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment. Additionally, numerous states have successfully supported providing full scope of practice to APRNs and have seen increased access to health care and patient satisfaction. Full scope of practice means that a provider is practicing to the full extent allowed by their license. CNSs and other APRNs practice within their state’s licensing laws as administered by the designated board – the board of nursing.
We need to focus our efforts on removing barriers to full practice authority for the almost 70,000 CNSs working in the United States today – not erecting them. The AMA’s outdated way of thinking is out of step with federal agencies, practice in more than half the U.S. states and the broader health care community.
The seminal 2010 Future of Nursing report from the Institute of Medicine, now the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, recommends that all APRNs, including CNSs, be allowed to practice to the full scope of their education and training. States are actively adopting the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education (APRN Consensus Model), which creates more uniform advance nursing practice across the country and enhances patient care.
Our country needs health care that is effective, patient-focused, high-quality and based on evidence—care that CNSs and other APRNs are qualified to deliver. We will work with other nursing and health professional organizations to oppose any unnecessary restrictions on the practice of qualified health care providers.”
Note: Vince Holly, MSN, RN, CCRN, CCNS, ACNS-BC is the President of the 2017-2018 NACNS Board of Directors.
so what can we do to change their thinking?
Really, when will our professional bodies be heard! What is the problem here? Is it really an issue of definition, lack of knowledge or a blatant effort to affront advanced practice nursing from gaining group.
Let our voices be heard across divisions. VA is leading the way! Let NACNS push this recognition forward so we can gain firm ground!