Resolution led by Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) calls for Clinical Nurse Specialists to be accurately counted, classified, and supported in federal health workforce planning
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA) today introduced a House resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Clinical Nurse Specialist Week, observed the first week of September. The resolution recognizes the contributions of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) to patient outcomes and health system quality, and reaffirms the House’s support for policies ensuring the CNS workforce is accurately counted, classified, and supported in federal health workforce planning. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), the only association representing the nation’s CNSs, welcomed the resolution’s introduction and thanked its original cosponsors for signing on ahead of introduction.
CNSs are advanced practice registered nurses who pair expert clinical care for patients with complex health conditions with systems-level leadership, mentoring health care teams, implementing evidence-based practices, and leading quality and patient safety initiatives. Despite this role, CNSs remain the only advanced practice registered nurse category without a standalone federal workforce projection. HRSA’s National Center for Health Workforce Analysis folds CNSs into the broader Registered Nurse category because the Bureau of Labor Statistics has not listed CNS as a distinct advanced practice nursing occupation, even though Medicare and Medicaid both recognize CNS as a distinct profession. HRSA projects continued RN shortages nationally through at least 2038, underscoring sustained demand for advanced nursing professionals, but without a CNS-specific data point, policymakers are left planning the nation’s nursing workforce around an incomplete picture. The most recent estimate, a 2022 analysis of National Provider Identifier registrations, identified 12,569 CNSs holding an NPI — a figure NACNS says likely understates the full scope of a workforce that federal labor statistics do not track separately.
The resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Clinical Nurse Specialist Week; recognizes CNS contributions to patient outcomes, nursing practice, and health system strength nationwide; encourages Americans to observe the week with appropriate programs and activities; and reaffirms support for policies ensuring the CNS workforce is accurately counted, appropriately classified, and adequately supported in federal health workforce planning.
NACNS President Jackeline Iseler, DNP, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CNE, FCNS, issued the following statement:
“Clinical Nurse Specialists are on the front lines of improving patient outcomes and strengthening health systems in every state, yet our workforce remains invisible in the federal data that shapes nursing policy. We thank Representative Kiggans and this resolution’s original cosponsors for recognizing CNS Week and for standing behind the simple principle that you cannot plan for a workforce you refuse to count. This resolution moves us closer to the day when CNSs are counted, classified, and supported the way our patients and health systems deserve.”
NACNS encourages Congress to build on this resolution by advancing policies that close the federal data gap facing the CNS workforce, and looks forward to working with Representative Kiggans and her colleagues throughout National Clinical Nurse Specialist Week and beyond.
About NACNS
The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), founded in 1995, is the only association representing the nation’s Clinical Nurse Specialists. NACNS enhances and promotes the unique, high-value contributions CNSs make to the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities, and advocates for policies that ensure the CNS workforce is recognized, counted, and supported across the U.S. health care system. Learn more at www.nacns.org.
Media Contact:
NACNS Communications
Alec Stone at alec@nacns.org