Improving Knowledge of Leaders About the CNS Role and CNS Utilization in Acute Care Organizations

TL;DR

Educational intervention improves leader understanding of the CNS role.

Transcript

good afternoon I'm Patricia Avala and it is a privilege to be with you for the next 20 to 30 minutes to share with you improving knowledge of leaders about the CNS role and CNS utilization in Acute Care Organization let's review our objectives for this session first we are going to appraise the development of a tool to measure leade... Read More

Key Insights

• The CNS is the only advanced practice role within nursing, distinct from other APRNs who extend the medical model.
• There is significant confusion about the CNS role among leaders, often due to overlapping roles with other nursing positions.
• A knowledge gap among nurse leaders may lead to reduced collaboration and misutilization of the CNS role, impacting patient care negatively.
• An educational intervention aimed to improve leader understanding of the CNS role and increase collaboration was conducted.
• The study involved nurse and non-nurse leaders at a magnet-designated facility, using a newly developed tool to assess CNS role knowledge.
• The intervention showed a statistically significant increase in leader knowledge, particularly among non-nurse leaders.
• Leaders recognized the CNSs were not being fully utilized, highlighting a need for better integration into organizational practices.
• The study suggests that educating leaders about the CNS role can enhance collaboration and optimize CNS utilization.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main purpose of the educational intervention discussed?

The main purpose of the educational intervention was to improve leader understanding of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) role and increase collaboration between leaders and CNSs. By addressing the knowledge gap among nurse leaders, the intervention aimed to optimize CNS utilization and enhance patient care outcomes.

Q: How does the CNS role differ from other advanced practice roles in nursing?

The CNS role is unique in that it is the only advanced practice role within the nursing model, unlike other APRNs who extend the medical model. CNSs function as researchers, educators, clinical experts, consultants, and leaders, strategically prepared to influence various levels of care. They focus on elevating nursing practice, whereas other APRNs like nurse practitioners or midwives extend medical services.

Q: What were the key findings regarding leader knowledge of the CNS role before and after the intervention?

Before the intervention, many leaders had limited understanding of the CNS role, often confusing it with other nursing roles. After the educational intervention, there was a statistically significant increase in leader knowledge, particularly among non-nurse leaders. Leaders recognized the CNSs were not fully utilized, highlighting the need for better integration into organizational practices.

Q: What methods were used to assess leader understanding of the CNS role?

A newly developed tool was used to assess leader understanding of the CNS role. This tool was created through a focus group of leaders and CNSs, refined with input from CNS colleagues, and included both qualitative and quantitative questions. The study involved pre- and post-intervention assessments to measure changes in leader knowledge and collaboration.

Q: What impact did the educational intervention have on collaboration between leaders and CNSs?

The educational intervention led to an increase in collaboration between leaders and CNSs, although it was not statistically significant. Leaders, particularly non-nurse leaders, reported a higher likelihood of collaborating with CNSs in the future. The intervention emphasized the potential for CNSs to align with leader priorities and enhance organizational outcomes.

Q: Why is it important for leaders to understand the CNS role?

Understanding the CNS role is crucial for leaders because it enables them to fully utilize the CNS's expertise in improving patient care, enhancing nursing practice, and achieving organizational goals. A clear understanding can lead to better collaboration, optimized CNS utilization, and improved system-level outcomes, ultimately benefiting patient care and organizational efficiency.

Q: What challenges do CNSs face in acute care organizations?

CNSs face challenges such as confusion about their role among leaders, overlapping responsibilities with other nursing roles, and underutilization due to a lack of understanding of their full scope. These challenges can lead to reduced collaboration and impact the effectiveness of CNSs in improving patient care and organizational outcomes.

Q: What recommendations were made for CNSs to improve their utilization in healthcare organizations?

CNSs are encouraged to reach out to leaders, especially new or non-nurse leaders, to educate them about the CNS role and its benefits. By demonstrating the CNS's ability to complement operational expertise and align with organizational priorities, CNSs can enhance collaboration and optimize their utilization, leading to improved patient care and organizational outcomes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The presentation focuses on educating leaders about the CNS role, highlighting the unique position of CNSs as the only advanced practice role in nursing. The speaker emphasizes the confusion surrounding the CNS role and its impact on collaboration and utilization within healthcare organizations.

• An educational intervention was conducted at a magnet-designated facility to improve leader understanding of the CNS role. The study involved both nurse and non-nurse leaders and used a newly developed tool to measure CNS role knowledge.

• Results showed a statistically significant increase in leader knowledge, particularly among non-nurse leaders. The intervention highlighted the need for better CNS integration into organizational practices, with leaders acknowledging CNSs were not being fully utilized.