Clinical Nurse Specialists Recognized

Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are advanced practice nurses who play a unique and important role in ensuring that patients receive high quality care based on the best and most recent research evidence. Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) is recognizing clinical nurse specialists for their contributions to improving health care and health care delivery during National CNS Recognition Week (Sept. 1-7). ARMC’s clinical nurse specialists are: Aida Rodriguez, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Melissa Shiu, RN, Epidemiology; Frances Dyckman, RN, Education; and Victoria Ogunrinu, RN, Administration. They are expert clinicians in a specialized area of nursing practice. As leaders, clinical nurse specialists drive innovation in their environments from care at the bedside to system-wide improvements. “I am honored to be a clinical nurse specialist,” said Ogunrinu, assistant hospital administrator at ARMC for the Delivery System Incentive Program (DSRIP). “Clinical nurse specialists provide system-wide leadership. They create, monitor and evaluate cost-effective, evidence-based policies, procedures, protocols and best practice models. “As a CNS, I am able to illuminate best practices and opportunities for improving health policy. The DSRIP program strengthens ARMC’s health care delivery and makes high-quality care more accessible and efficient for patients.” There are approximately 72,000 clinical nurse specialists nationwide. During National CNS Recognition Week, hospitals and health care systems seek to increase awareness of the clinical nurse specialists’ role in improving care and reducing health care costs. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) established National CNS Recognition Week in 2009 to commemorate the contributions of Hildegard Peplau to nursing and health care. Born Sept. 1, 1909, Dr. Peplau was a prominent nursing theorist whose landmark book, Interpersonal Relations in Nursing, emphasized the nurse-client relationship as the foundation for nursing practice and today serves as the basis of the CNS role in health care. Founded in 1995, NACNS is dedicated to advancing CNS practice and education, removing certification and regulatory barriers, and to assuring the public access to quality CNS services.