Fundamentals of Nursing Q 467
A clinical nurse specialist is a nurse who has:
A. Been certified by the National League for Nursing.
B. Received credentials from the American Nurses’ Association.
C. Graduated from an associate degree program and is a registered professional nurse.
D. Completed a master’s degree in the prescribed clinical area and is a registered professional nurse.
Correct Answer: D. Completed a master’s degree in the prescribed clinical area and is a registered professional nurse.
A clinical nurse specialist must have completed a master’s degree in a clinical specialty and be a registered professional nurse. A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a graduate-level registered nurse who is certified in a specialty of choice. Obtaining specialty certification demonstrates an advanced level of knowledge as well as advanced clinical skills in a niche area of nursing. There are differences between a nurse practitioner (NP) and CNS.
Option A: The National League of Nursing accredits educational programs in nursing and provides a testing service to evaluate student nursing competence but it does not certify nurses.
Option B: The American Nurses Association identifies requirements for certification and offers examinations for certification in many areas of nursing, such as medical-surgical nursing. This certification (credentialing) demonstrates that the nurse has the knowledge and the ability to provide high-quality nursing care in the area of her certification.
Option C: A graduate of an associate degree program is not a clinical nurse specialist: however, she is prepared to provide bedside nursing with a high degree of knowledge and skill. She must successfully complete the licensing examination to become a registered professional nurse.