Position Papers
Entry for CNS Practice Position Statement (March 2023)
Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with graduate level preparation at the master’s post-graduate certificate, or doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) levels…MORE
Clinical Nurse Specialist Full Practice Authority (March 2023)
The 2008 Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) Consensus Model created a structure establishing licensing, accreditation, certification, and education (L.A.C.E) requirements for four APRN roles…MORE
PhD Position Statement (August 2016)
NACNS recognizes the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) as the highest level of formal education for those individuals whose career path is to develop science to promote the discipline and practice of nursing…. MORE
Importance of the CNS Role in Care Coordination (December 2013)
The CNS role promotes quality health care services and decreases health care expenditures… MORE
Achieving Specialty Competency for Clinical Nurse Specialists (September 2013)
NACNS strongly supports the continuation of specialty practice education for the clinical nurse specialist…. MORE
Prescriptive Privilege for the Clinical Nurse Specialist (September 2021)
NACNS recognizes the practice of the CNS is at the advanced practice level…. MORE
Clinical Nurse Leader – Statements 1 and 2 (September 2005)
NACNS recognizes that the AACN is proposing this role in response to the perceived quality gaps…. MORE
Opioid Position Papers
Abuse and Misuse Position (May 2018)
NACNS supports a balanced approach to the care of patients in pain; one that integrates clinician
education, judicious use of opioid analgesics and … MORE
Role of the CNS Position Statement (May 2018)
The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) supports and advocates for the active
involvement of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in all efforts to address the national opioid crisis…. MORE
Universal Paper (May 2018)
In light of the critical nature of the national opioid public health emergency the National Association of
Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) advocates for funding and national support for thoughtful, varied and
individualized approaches…. MORE
White Papers
NACNS White Paper on Telehealth Competency for the Clinical Nurse Specialist: Gap Analysis and Recommendations (August 2021)
The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) supports and advocates for the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in the provision of telehealth services. The diversity of CNS roles and practice settings creates challenges in precisely defining how telehealth is incorporated into the CNS role…MORE
CNS Quality Outcomes Paper: Impact of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Role on the Costs and Quality of Health Care (December 2013)
Research and demonstration projects have shown that the CNS role is uniquely suited to lead implementation of evidence-based quality improvement actions that also reduce cost throughout the health care system…. MORE
NACNS Response to IOM Future of Nursing Report (March 2012)
NACNS supports the four overarching key messages identified by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, The Future of Nursing.… MORE
NACNS Statement on APRN Consensus Model Implementation (March 2012)
NACNS calls for careful implementation of the Consensus Model in order to preserve patient and health care system access to CNS services, particularly given the significant influence this role has on cost and quality of health care outcomes…. MORE
Certification of Clinical Nurse Specialists (September 2005)
NACNS supports validation of core knowledge, specialty knowledge, and attainment of CNS competencies…. MORE
Talking Points
Talking Points on Regulation of CNSs
Talking Points on CNS Certification
Other Resources
Nursing Organization Alliances Statement on Principles of a Healthful Practice/Work Environment. NACNS endorses this statement (September 2005)