Career Investigation: Clinical Nurse Specialist
Part 1: Research Report
There are four categories of recognized advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the United States. They are certified nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist and certified nurse anesthetist. Clinical nurse specialists constitute a team of experienced nurses who offer professional guidance associated with particular treatment procedures. The clinical nurse specialists are skilled in diagnosing and treating patients as authorized autonomous practitioners. The application of the phrase “specialist” in the field of nursing started in the 1900s (Cohen et al. 438). The nursing society recognized the importance of specialty practice in the nursing career. The recognition of specialty led to the emergence of psychiatric nursing as the initial department. Later, the specialty of clinical nurse specialist emerged. In 1974, the American Nurses Association (ANA) formally acknowledged the clinical nurse specialist as a professional practitioner. The nurses were required to have master’s degree for them to enroll in this specialty. In 1995, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) was established to formulate and coordinate the duties of clinical nurse specialists.
Presently, there are over 67,000 clinical nurse specialists in the United States. According to Dauda, Hadiza, and Nelson, “historically, clinical nurse specialist practice is grounded on the nature of nursing as initially described by Florence Nightingale” (62). After a thorough study, Nightingale concluded that ailment and sickness are two markedly diverse incidents. Nightingale contended that even if sickness may constitute ailment-related etiologies, most cases conditions other than ailment lead to suffering. Nightingale helped to identify the role of the nurse in prevention and treatment of sicknesses that result from conditions other than infection.
One of the individuals who contributed significantly to the specialty of the clinical nurse specialist is Nightingale. Nightingale was determined to transform the nursing practice to ensure that defense forces received proper medical attention. By turning the circumstances in which wounded military personnel received medical care, Nightingale managed to minimize their mortality rate. She was the first specialist to help the enhancement of the quality of health care. Nightingale’s contributions to the modern clinical nurse specialist include the rationalization of the roles of medicine and nursing as conspicuously diverse with the latter focusing on anguish and the former on infirmity (Foster and Flanders 23). She also introduced the standard scientific methods of data gathering, and examination that guided the nursing practice. Nightingale led to the introduction of scientific methods in the field of clinical nurse specialist. For the last fifty years, the clinical nurse specialist practice has undergone significant transformation. The practice has changed regarding services delivery as well as research. In 1998, the first guideline was launched, which sought to outline the qualifications and results of modern clinical nurse specialist practice. The guideline was compiled through the contribution of numerous clinical nurse specialists from different geographical regions.
Nightingale’s determination to improve the specialty of clinical nurse specialist made her open the first institution that trained nurses. She dedicated her time to boosting the quality of health care, particularly in the nursing specialty. A part from using scientific methods to gather and analyze data with the objective of improving clinical nurse specialist practice, she also took the time to train nurses in standard practices (Fulton, Lyon and Goudreau 74). She dedicated her life to promoting two categories of nursing which were the health and sick nursing. The health nursing aimed at curbing infirmity while the sick nursing focused on curing diseases.
Part 2: Process Analysis
A clinical nurse specialist is different from the ordinary nurse practitioners. The specialist concentrates on a nursing career that is distinguished by medical specialty, population, and a form of care or setting. The clinical nurse specialists rely on theory and research to formulate analysis and advance wellness. Besides, they endeavor to tender evidence-based superior medical services that are tailored to the needs of the patients. A majority of the clinical nurse specialists serve in hospital environments. Nevertheless, they can also work in the corporate environment, outpatient as well as community health. The specialty of clinical nurse specialist is quite demanding. For a nursing student to become a successful clinical nurse specialist, he/she must get a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a recognized institution. The student must also register as a nurse. The Bachelor’s degree is not adequate. The student has to undertake a master’s degree in an institution that trains clinical nurse specialists. After completing the master’s degree, the student must apply for certification and get a license from the board that manages the clinical nurse practitioners. Experience is paramount in the specialty of clinical nurse specialist. Therefore, it is imperative to acquire adequate expertise in the area that one has chosen. One can learn skills by ensuring that he/she meets the program basics.
One cannot become a clinical nurse specialist without going through a nursing school. The nursing school exposes the aspiring student to the medical environment. Additionally, the nursing school enables the student to identify the field that he/she intends to specialize in as a clinical nurse specialist. The bachelor’s degree also equips the students with hands-on experience as they undertake numerous clinical rotations under supervision. No one can practice nursing before registering. Therefore, if a student wishes to become a clinical nurse specialist, he/she must procure a state license. The bachelor’s degree offers a foundation that is essential for a student who aspires to be a clinical nurse specialist. One cannot become a clinical nurse specialist by acquiring the bachelor’s degree only (Gordon, Lorilla and Lehman 348). The clinical nurse specialist training commences at the master’s level. By this time, the student has a vast experience in the nursing field and can easily understand advanced medical studies. At the master’s level, the student is introduced to studies in advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and complicated health analysis procedures. Moreover, the student acquires knowledge in medical assessment and management. These studies equip the learner with the capacity to offer superior services as well as analyze and interpret complex health conditions.
The post of clinical nurse specialist is critical in guaranteeing the health safety of the population. As a result, one requires having adequate skills in nursing practice. The clinical nurse specialists must be skilled in diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Also, they must be capable of providing evidence-based nursing practices. One cannot provide such services without adequate and proper training. Therefore, a student who aspires to be a clinical nurse specialist must enroll for a master’s training in recognized institution. The reason for recommending the enrollment for a master’s training is to ensure that the student acquires skills that are requisite in managing entrusted therapeutic procedures that are related to the analysis and management of illnesses for a specialty population.
Institutions that train clinical nurse specialists equip them with advanced skills that are vital in handling diverse diseases. The students acquire “advanced knowledge of the science of nursing with a specialty focus and apply that knowledge to nursing assessments” (Zuzelo 363). Further, the students acquire skills that are vital for evaluation and management of different health conditions. Innovation is paramount in the specialty of clinical nurse specialists. For one to be a successful clinical nurse specialist, he/she must be in a position to come up with innovative ways of dealing with the challenges that patients encounter. The individual must be able to work autonomously and offer evidence-based care to patients. Undertaking a master’s training endows the learner with skills not only to work independently but also assist patients in realizing their health goals. Moreover, the training endows students with skills to devise, execute and appraise personal or community-based programs that guarantee efficient nurse-sensitive results.
Clinical nurse specialists do not undertake a general training in medical skills. Instead, they specialize in particular areas. For instance, one may concentrate on children, a particular problem such as surgical or special setting like inpatient. Additionally, a clinical nurse specialist may major in critical care or a single medical specialty like cardiac or spinal cord injury. For one to succeed in his/her preferred specialty, he/she must undergo an intensive training (Zuzelo 364). The training bequeaths the learner with the knowledge to serve as a change agent, leader and mentor in promoting the culture of nursing amid the nurses and across the medical facilities. Moreover, the master’s program enables the aspiring clinical nurse specialist to promote interdependence between various professionals. The certification and operating license give an individual the green light to start serving as clinical nurse specialist.
Part 3: Interview
The following section represents an interview carried out on Jean Carter. Jean is a clinical nurse specialist at St. Vincent Medical Center. She specializes in handling cardiovascular disorders. Jean holds an active registered nurse license from the New York state. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science in nursing degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and is approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center to serve as a cardiac nurse specialist. Besides, she has served for over 3000 faculty-supervised clinical hours with patients suffering from cardiovascular disorders. Jean is currently 34 years old and has been a clinical nurse specialist for five years. Additionally, she has served as a registered nurse for over seven years. Jean mainly majors in Telemetry care. She observes patients’ critical symptoms using the state-of-the-art instruments like electrocardiograms. Besides, she works in collaboration with cardiac cath lab (CCL) nurses because she provides follow-up observation and examination.
Q1: What fascinates you about the career of telemetry nursing?
A: Previously, I served as an anesthesia nurse. Thus, I gained experience in cardiac pulse, which is essential in telemetry nursing. Besides, I like telemetry nursing due to its prompt examination and speedy responses. It is a hard specialty, but it keeps me focused at all times.
Q2: What is most tasking about the specialty of telemetry nursing?
A: Telemetry nursing needs absolute care, which entails psychosomatic, physical, and at times divine care. The nurse needs to realize that the emotional and physical problems of the patient have adverse impacts on the heart. To handle all the needs of the patient, the nurse requires using a comprehensive approach. It might be difficult and quite challenging.
Q3: What issues should a telemetry nurse be careful about in his/her daily operations?
A: A common problem that arises is the brisk alteration in patient’s conditions. If the nurse is serving in the acute care unit, he/she has to be familiar with the faint changes in blood pressure, heartbeat, complexion and a couple of other symptoms. The nurse has to assess all these symptoms and make a swift and efficient judgment.
Q4: Are there personal qualities that work well in telemetry nursing?
A: For an individual to succeed in telemetry nursing, he/she must be inquisitive. The person must always question whatever happens to the patient. Besides, the nurse must critically evaluate the treatment procedures used to address varied symptoms. A telemetry nurse must be an ardent supporter for the sick. The patients must believe in the telemetry nurse.
Q5: Are there exceptional qualifications that one must meet to serve as telemetry nurse?
A: Mainly, all telemetry nurses must have advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) certification. Besides, having an advanced electrocardiogram (EKG) qualification or experience is an added advantage. Experience in electrocardiogram boosts the poise of a telemetry nurse.
Q6: Does technology has an effect in telemetry nursing?
A: Technology has a significant impact on telemetry work. It has enhanced efficiency in the field of telemetry nursing. For instance, it is easier to conduct blood analysis to determine the presence of cardiac enzymes. Besides, technology has facilitated the development of echo-cardiogram apparatus that is not only efficient but also portable. Telemetry nurse can easily do tests to a patient in the ward.
Q7: Is there an experience that demonstrates your career well?
A: St. Vincent Medical Center is notorious for open-heart surgical procedures. Thus, we encounter numerous incidences of cardio-thoracic. There was one incident that involved a young man who had undergone open-heart operation. The man had chest tubes. He was quite perplexed the night after the operation to an extent that he removed all the tubes. Fortunately, the nurse on duty was alert. She called us immediately, and we were able to help the young man before he could develop complications like infection. The team that served him was very glad that he responded positively and was discharged on time.
Q8: Have you witnessed any transformation in the specialty of telemetry nursing?
A: There have been tremendous changes in the treatment methods used to assist patients with cardiovascular disorders. Currently, telemetry nurses help patients to cope with heart problems. Besides, the nurses partner with pharmacists, surgeons, and physical therapists. Indeed, there is a high level of joint effort in telemetry.
Q9: What do you project to be the future of telemetry nurses?
A: The present trend in technological advancement is bound to make telemetry nurses less invasive. The nurses will soon devise mechanisms of addressing cardiovascular problems in advance. The only concern that the nurses will encounter is assisting patients to cope with a physiology that is not accustomed to an enduring life.
Q10: How can you advise individuals who wish to become telemetry nurses in the future?
A: The contemporary nursing puts much emphasis on total care. However, it is time to realize that the field of telemetry nursing has changed significantly. Telemetry Nursing is presently fast-paced and unique. If the aspiring telemetry nurses wish to succeed in their career, they must learn to satisfy the emotional, physical and psychosomatic desires of the patients.
For more information regarding telemetry nursing, kindly contact Jean through her email, which is jean.carter@gmail.com
Part 4: Annotated Bibliography
Cohen, Sharon, Nancy Crego, Richard Cuming and Melinda Smyth. “The Synergy Model and the Role of Clinical Nurse Specialists in a Multihospital System.” American Journal of Critical Care 11.5 (2002): 436-446. Print.
The duties of clinical nurse specialist were instituted in the early 1950s. The primary objective of establishing the position of clinical nurse specialist was to equip nurses with skills to assist patients who are acutely sick. The clinical nurse specialists served as educators, professional clinicians, and researchers. The duties of clinical nurse specialists were eliminated due to organizational restructuring. Nevertheless, an increase in demand for the professionals has resulted in the reemergence of the positions of clinical nurse practitioners. Organizations have come up with a synergy model to facilitate cooperation amid clinical nurse specialists and other medical officials.
This article helps to understand the historical background of the clinical nurse practitioners. Also, the article is useful to the project as it documents the features that a clinical nurse specialist must exhibit. This will help in the compilation of the informational process analysis.
Dauda, Salihu, Yahaya Hadiza, and Lola Nelson. “Clinical Nurse Specialist, a New Age Healthcare, Implementation Challenges in Nigeria.” Journal of Research in Nursing and Midwifery 4.4 (2015): 59-65. Print.
The article defines clinical nurse specialist as a specialized professional that deals with a particular group of patients. Clinical nurse specialists major in particular types of illnesses like cardiovascular disorder, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries. Besides, the specialists can serve in diverse health care environments like critical care and emergency and operating rooms. The specialty of clinical nurse specialist originated from the United States and spread to other countries. However, most African nations like Nigeria have not implemented the specialty of clinical nurse specialist due to the absence of proper policies. The introduction of the specialty of clinical nurse specialists will help to boost health care in rural areas.
This article will be significant to the project as it will help the researcher to understand the background of the specialty of clinical nurse specialist. Understanding the reasons developing countries have not introduced the position of clinical nurse specialist will offer insight into what the specialty entails. Therefore, it will be easy for the researcher to compile research questions.
Foster, Jan and Sonya Flanders. “Challenges in Clinical Nurse Specialist Education and Practice.” The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing 19.2 (2014): 17-34. Print.
Foster and Flanders maintain that clinical nurse specialists offer direct care and serve as mentors for nurses. The specialists encounter numerous challenges due to the nature of their work. The challenges include role confusion and the inability to transform evidence into practice. The clinical nurse specialists also encounter challenges in time and change management. Foster and Flanders argue that clinical nurse specialists are unable to demonstrate the value they offer to a medical facility. The two concludes by giving possible solutions to the challenges that the clinical nurse specialists face.
Understanding the challenges that the clinical nurse specialists encounter in their daily activities can go a long way towards understanding their roles in a health institution. Thus, Foster and Flanders’ work will play a significant role in the compilation of the process analysis.
Fulton, Janet, Brenda Lyon, and Kelly Goudreau. Foundations of Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice (2nd ed.), New York: Springer Publishing Company, 2014. Print.
Clinical nurse specialists make exceptional and valuable input to the well-being and security of the population through collaboration with the communities, patients, and other medical practitioners. In the varied specialties, clinical nurse specialists demonstrate essential practice proficiencies, which focus on three spheres. The spheres are system/institution, nurses/practice, and nursing/client. Fulton, Lyon, and Goudreau argue that the clinical nurse specialists help to establish a connection between research and practice. They facilitate the elimination of hurdles that encumber the provision of secure and efficient care. Presently, the role of clinical nurse specialists in the delivery of quality and efficient health care is highly regarded.
The book is useful for this project as it describes not only the foundation of the clinical nurse specialist but also their duties and competencies. As a result, the book will be helpful in writing the historical background of clinical nurse specialist. It will also give insights into the requisite credentials for a clinical nurse specialist.
Gordon, Jacqueline, Jennifer Lorilla and Cheryl Lehman. “The Role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Future of Health Care in the United States.” Perioperative Nursing Clinics 7.1 (2012): 343-353. Print.
Gordon, Lorilla, and Lehman maintain that clinical nurse specialists have the capacity to offer quality health care services in the United States. Nevertheless, the specialists are, in most cases, undervalued and poorly remunerated. Presently, the United States has not outlined the duties of the clinical nurse practitioners. Gordon et al. cite role confusion as the primary hurdle that prevents the clinical nurse specialists from discharging their duties efficiently. They allege that it is imperative to establish the functions of the specialists as a way to exploit their capacity. Gordon et al. maintain that clinical nurse specialists do not only provide quality services but also minimize the cost of health care and boost patient contentment.
This article is useful for the project since it gives not only the history of clinical nurse specialists but also their responsibilities. Therefore, it will help to identify the foundation of the career of clinical nurse specialist. Additionally, the article will facilitate the compilation of informational process analysis as it documents the requirements of a clinical nurse specialist.
Zuzelo, Patti. “Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice-Spheres of Influence.” The Official Voice of Perioperative Nursing Journal 77.2 (2003): 361-364. Print.
Zuzelo posits that a majority of the nurses cannot tell the distinctions in the practice spheres and didactic milieu of the ordinary nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists. As a result, many perioperative nurses are unable to choose the advanced practice function, which is in line with their professional objectives and interest. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists has come up with a guideline to direct clinical nurse specialists in their operations. The guidance outlines not only the educational requirements for the clinical nurse specialists but also recommendations for perioperative practices. Additionally, it describes the duties and educational requirements for ordinary nurse practitioners.
The journal is useful to the project since it describes the educational requirements for clinical nurse specialists. The information is vital in the compilation of informational process analysis. Additionally, the journal will help the researcher to distinguish between the ordinary nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist.
Part 5: Reflection
The research process accorded me a deeper understanding of the career field. Previously, I was not aware of the varied specialties in the nursing sphere. I believed that all nurses went through a standard training. However, as I conducted the research, I learned that nurses can specialize in diverse fields and offer invaluable assistance in the promotion of quality health care. The research process helped me gain a deeper understanding of the difference between ordinary nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists. Additionally, I understood the functions the clinical nurse specialists and their significance in the provision of quality health care. Besides learning my career field, I also gained experience in how to conduct a research process. I learned how to compare varied sources of information and obtain the relevant data. As I did the research, I came across numerous sources of information like online journals, books, and websites. The research process served as an eye opener. I realized that the internet constituted a wealth of information, which can be invaluable when conducting research.
Choosing the best articles to use for the study was a challenging task. Most articles had massive information about clinical nurse specialist. Thus, it was hard to determine the most relevant. I used the project outline to select the appropriate journals. Eventually, I learned that project outline is vital for a research process. It helps the researcher to identify the best sources of information, thus saving him/her the burden of going through all the available data.
Works Cited
Cohen, Sharon, Nancy Crego, Richard Cuming and Melinda Smyth. “The Synergy Model and the Role of Clinical Nurse Specialists in a Multihospital System.” American Journal of Critical Care 11.5 (2002): 436-446. Print.
Dauda, Salihu, Yahaya Hadiza and Lola Nelson. “Clinical Nurse Specialist, a New Age Healthcare, Implementation Challenges in Nigeria.” Journal of Research in Nursing and Midwifery 4.4 (2015): 59-65. Print.
Foster, Jan and Sonya Flanders. “Challenges in Clinical Nurse Specialist Education and Practice.” The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing 19.2 (2014): 17-34. Print.
Fulton, Janet, Brenda Lyon and Kelly Goudreau. Foundations of Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice (2nd ed.), New York: Springer Publishing Company, 2014. Print.
Gordon, Jacqueline, Jennifer Lorilla and Cheryl Lehman. “The Role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Future of Health Care in the United States.” Perioperative Nursing Clinics 7.1 (2012): 343-353. Print.
Zuzelo, Patti. “Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice-Spheres of Influence.” The Official Voice of Perioperative Nursing Journal 77.2 (2003): 361-364. Print.