Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 19, September 20, 2024
A. The unique
role of the clinical nurse specialist is to:
(1) Integrate care across the continuum and
through three spheres of impact:
(a) The
patient;
(b) The nurse;
and
(c) The system;
and
(2) Ranges from:
(a) Wellness to illness; and
(b) Acute to chronic
care.
B. The
clinical nurse specialist provides direct care to patients with complex needs,
acts as a consultant, conducts research, and provides education and guidance
for staff nurses.
C. The practice
of the clinical nurse specialist encompasses the continuous improvement of
patient outcomes and nursing care.
D. The clinical nurse specialist shall adhere
to standards of clinical practice, scope of practice, and the standards of
professional performance in accordance with this chapter.
E. The scope of practice of the clinical
nurse specialist includes, but is not limited to:
(1) Practicing with individual clients,
families, groups, and populations of clients;
(2) Performing a comprehensive physical
assessment of patients;
(3)
Establishing medical diagnosis for common short-term and chronic stable health
problems;
(4) Diagnosing, treating,
and managing patients with acute and chronic illness or disease, or
both;
(5) Ordering, performing, and
interpreting laboratory tests;
(6)
Ordering diagnostic tests and using the findings or results in the care of
patients;
(7) Initiating,
monitoring, and altering appropriate therapies or treatments;
(8) Providing primary health care, including
health promotion and disease prevention by assessing, educating, and providing
referrals for the patient, family, and caregiver;
(9) Providing emergency care;
(10) Referring patients to appropriate
licensed physicians or other health care providers as needed;
(11) Consulting or collaborating with a
licensed physician or other health care provider as needed; and
(12) Creating therapeutic environments
through mentoring and system changes to:
(a)
Develop caring, evidence-based practices;
(b) Facilitate ethical decision
making;
(c) Respond to diversity;
and
(d) Alleviate patient
distress.
