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Clinical Nurse Specialists: A Unique Nursing Role that Bridges the Gaps in Health Care

National Nursing Conference Will Showcase CNS Impact on Patients, Policy and Practice Issues

Hundreds of leaders in nursing and research will gather in Austin, Texas next week at the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) annual conference to discuss and learn from leaders in nursing and health care about:

  • innovations in nursing practice, interprofessional collaboration and mentoring students;
  • developments in cardiac, pediatric and palliative care, glycemic control and asthma;
  • strategies for reducing falls and hospital acquired infections, like pressure injuries, CAUTIs and CLABSIs;
  • the role of the CNS in reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes for high risk populations;
  • reducing hospital readmissions, improving standards and protocols;
  • addressing substance use and misuse;
  • advances in surgical safety and how to reduce alarm fatigue;
  • the latest in clinical research and evidence-based practice;
  • and much more.

Putting the Pieces Together: CNSs Bridging the Gaps in Health Care will be held:

February 28 – March 3

Renaissance Austin Hotel

9721 Arboretum Blvd.

Austin, Texas

Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who hold graduate degrees. The 2016 CNS Census revealed that two in three CNSs are nationally certified and, in addition to a master’s degree, more than one in ten CNSs also holds a doctorate. CNSs have additional education and training in advanced nursing care, physiology, pharmacology and physical assessment. CNSs’ work varies; they can provide diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of patients, advance nursing practice, and improve clinical processes to achieve greater safety and quality.

Former senior scientist and administrator at the NIH National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Nursing Research, J. Taylor Harden, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN will give the keynote address “How to Become the CNS That Others Will Follow in Research, Practice and Policy” on Thursday, March 1 at 9:00 am.

Writer and nursing advocate Toni Inglis, MSN, RN, CNS, FAAN, will be the closing keynote speaker, “Nurses: The Untapped Influencers of Policy,” on Saturday, March 3 at 11:00 am.

The CNS Institute is sponsoring a ticketed luncheon with Joe Don Cavender, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, Vice President and Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Children’s Health System of Texas – Children’s Medical Center Dallas on Friday, March 2 at 12:15 pm. He will discuss how clinical nurse specialists provide value to hospital systems, health policy and nurses and make a positive impact on patient outcomes.

In addition to the nearly 50 educational sessions and a dozen clinical lectures and symposia featuring more than 150 speakers, the conference will include four, two-hour, in-depth sessions on public policy; management of technology in the clinical setting; cutting-edge infection control updates; and writing for publication. In addition, there will be more than 80 poster presentations, including 55 from CNS students, on a range of health care issues from practices and protocol assessments to quality improvement to intervention strategies and much more.

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Founded in 1995, The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists is the only association representing the clinical nurse specialist (CNS). CNSs are advanced practice registered nurses who work in a variety of specialties to ensure high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered care. As leaders in health care settings, CNSs provide direct patient care and lead initiatives to improve care and clinical outcomes, and reduce costs. NACNS is dedicated to advancing CNS practice and education, removing certification and regulatory barriers, and assuring the public access to quality CNS services.

NOTE:  The NACNS 2018 annual conference is open to the media. Experts in a range of health care specialties are available for interviews. To receive a complete schedule or to set up an interview, please contact Luci Manning at 202/371-1999 (office) or 202/374-1974 (mobile).

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