With all the developments in health care, from credentialing to the changes associated with Affordable Care Act, it can be a challenge to keep up with the latest news affecting clinical nurse specialists (CNSs).
The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists is the only association representing the unique role of the CNS. NACNS members are advanced practice registered nurses and leaders in health care. Our members work in a variety of specialties-from acute care to diabetes to pain management and more-across the continuum of health care to ensure high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered care.NACNS is dedicated to advancing CNS practice and education, removing certification and regulatory barriers, and assuring the public access to quality CNS services.
Help Spread the Word about NACNS
NACNS is the only organization working to support the role of the CNS. In order for our voice to have impact in Congress, we need the support of all CNSs. The more members NACNS has, the stronger our voice. To help spread that word, the Membership Committee has been hard at work putting together a script for everyone to use to describe NACNS and what it does for our profession. It can be copied and pasted in an email, or it can be used to help you articulate the value that you get from being a member of our organization. See the script here.
Representing the Unique Interests of CNSs
Clinical nurse specialists are agents of change in the health care system, and NACNS serves to represent their unique interests and give them a national voice. Each day, NACNS works to increase the visibility and influence of CNSs. NACNS is the national authority for CNS practice and education. It offers professional development and enhanced leadership possibilities and opportunities to network with other CNSs from around the country. The association promotes ground-breaking research done by CNSs that further illustrates how CNSs are instrumental in raising the quality of health care, improving patient safety and reducing the costs of health care delivery.
Benefits of Membership
NACNS members are leaders in health care. Our members work in a variety of specialties across the continuum of health care to ensure high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered care.
Benefits include:
- FREE CEs for NACNS’s Webinar Series- more than 20 contact hours per year at no cost! ($1400 value)
- At your finger-tips access to NACNS’ Journal- Clinical Nurse Specialist™ ($160 value) – both online and in hard copy
- Discounted registration to the NACNS Annual Conference ($300 discount at Early-Bird, and $235 discount onsite)
- CNS certification discounts from American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
- Discounts on liability insurance from the Nurses Service Organization (NSO) for newly graduated students and those who complete contact hours at the NACNS Annual Conference.*
- National and state representation about issues affecting CNSs, like regulation, certification, reimbursement and more.
- Special products related to the celebration of CNS Week, September 1-7 each year.
- Assistance developing regional and local NACNS affiliates.
- Networking opportunities with CNSs from around the country.
The total value of NACNS annual membership is more than $1900. Actual membership dues are less than a fraction of that, making NACNS membership an excellent value.
*Contact info@nacns.org for more information
Affordable Professional Development Opportunities
Individual Membership
The benefits of joining NACNS far outweigh the costs. A one year, individual NACNS membership is $165. The rate for nursing students is $133, and the rate for retired CNSs is $92. NACNS offers associate memberships for $150, for those who are interested in supporting the clinical nurse specialist role but were not educated as a CNS. There is also a discounted rate for multi-year memberships, and an auto-renewal option for select member types.
To join NACNS, click the link for your desired member type below:
CNS Membership – $165
Student Membership – $133
Transition to Practice Membership – $133 (available to existing student members for one year after graduation)
International Membership – $133
International Membership – Developing Country – $67
Retired Membership – $92
Associate Membership – $150
Institutional Membership
Institutions may join NACNS and receive a bulk number of memberships. NACNS offers several levels of institutional membership depending on the size and the number of CNSs to be included. In addition, institutional members receive discounts on conference exhibits, print and electronic subscriptions to the Clinical Nurse Specialist: The International Journal for Advanced Nursing, and a print copy of the NACNS Statement on CNS Practice and Education. Apply now and support your CNS workforce with this important benefit.
There are six tiers of Institutional Memberships:
Copper Membership – 5 Employee Seats – $765/year
Bronze Membership – 10 Employee Seats – $1,530/year
Silver Membership – 20 Employee Seats – $3,055/year
Gold Membership – 30 Employee Seats – $4,580/year
Platinum Membership – 40 Employee Seats – $6,110/year
Diamond Membership – 50+ Employee Seats – $7,633/year
Institutional Membership options are discounted bulk purchases, and offer a savings when compared to purchasing individual CNS Memberships. Member organizations are responsible for providing their roster of designated members to NACNS, and should review them on an annual basis at the time of renewal.
If you would like to purchase this member type, please contact info@nacns.org.
Create a non-member account here for store or NACNS EDGE purchases.
Please send check payments to:
NACNS
c/o NACNS Accounting
401 Edgewater Place, Suite 600
Wakefield, MA 01880