Additional Funds to Address Nursing Education, Health Research and Opioid Misuse Will Improve Health Care Workforce’s Capacity to Serve Patients, Communities
“As members of the advanced practice nursing community, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists is pleased to see Congress pass and President Trump sign a spending bill that allocates more funding for health and nursing programs. This spending bill is a step in the right direction if our nation is to rise and meet the need for high-quality care.
Every day across America, clinical nurse specialists provide expert care to patients and support nurses caring for patients at the bedside. They drive practice changes at their organizations and ensure the use of best practices and evidence-based care to achieve the best possible patient outcomes. Clinical nurse specialists and other advanced practice registered nurses deliver high-value care while lowering health care costs by coordinating care, providing preventive services and managing chronic conditions.
Supporting advanced nursing education, increasing funding for nursing scholarships and increasing nursing faculty will help grow the number of clinical nurse specialists and advanced practice registered nurses working to help patients, families and communities get and stay well. Additional funding for nursing research will help push advances in care and improve best practices.
Though this budget is a step in the right direction to bolster the health of our nation, there is still more work to be done. The deepening opioid crisis will continue to stretch resources. Making sure there is a constant and stable pipeline of nurse educators and leaders will take more than a one-time investment. We will continue to urge the Trump administration and Members of Congress to keep funding the critical programs that play a vital role in keeping our nation safe and healthy.”
Note: Anne Hysong, MSN, APRN, CCNS, ACNS-BC is the President of the 2018-2019 NACNS Board of Directors.
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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.