Clinical Nurse Specialist Role and Practice in Canada

In Canada, the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) role is recognized as an advanced practice nursing role focused on improving nursing practice and patient, population, and health system outcomes. The CNS role is multidimensional in nature involving the integration of knowledge, skills, and expertise in clinical care, leadership, consultation, collaboration, education, and research. The competencies for CNS practice have been organized into four main categories related to clinical practice, systems leadership, advancement of nursing practice, and evaluation and research. While recent progress has been made, full integration and optimal use of the CNS role within the Canadian healthcare system remains elusive. Pan-Canadian strategies to clarify and communicate the role to key stakeholders, develop national credentialing mechanisms, increase access to CNS-specific education, and create healthcare policies and funding mechanisms to support utilization of the role are required. Research to evaluate the outcomes and impact of the CNS role within the context of the Canadian healthcare system is also needed.