What is the focus of a nurse practicing as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS)?

Question

1. Improvement of client care and nursing practice
2. Providing orientation for the novice nurse
3. Acting as a liaison between staff nurses and administration
4. Assisting physicians with in-patient care delivery

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1

The clinical nurse specialist is considered to be an expert in his or her field of preparation. The primary purpose of the CNS is to improve client care and nursing practice by functioning as an expert nurse in the practice setting. Orientation for new nurses is assumed by the educational nurse specialist and nurse preceptors on the nursing units. The focus of the CNS is not to act as liason between staff nurses and administration or assisting physcians with in-patient care delivery. The CNS role is an avenue toward professional advancement for nurses who want to remain in clinical practice at the bedside rather than advance to administration or education.