The CNS with practitioner preparation: an emerging role in advanced practice nursing.

As health care reform continues, CNSs are retooling for nurse practitioner (NP) roles. Although the debate regarding role integration is ongoing, advanced practice nurses (APNs) with blended preparation are appearing in the workplace. Much has been written about attributes the NP brings to the practice setting, but little has been said about the unique skills and knowledge base that the CNS brings. CNSs, with additional preparation as practitioners, will be marketable providers with population-specific knowledge, technological expertise, and comfort with higher acuity levels. This will allow APNs to combine a preventive model with high acuity levels, practice holistically, improve quality, and decrease costs of care. A case study of care given by a pediatric critical care CNS returning to school for practitioner preparation, which demonstrates several of the above concepts, is presented.