title: Establishing the role of the clinical nurse specialist in postanesthesia care.
abstract: The postanesthesia clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a relatively new and developed role, one that is needed and that can be justified in the specialty of postanesthesia care nursing. This article describes a model with components of expert practitioner, educator, researcher, consultant, and liaison. The sub-role of change agent pervades all other roles of the postanesthesia CNS. Establishment of the role is examined using change theory. Fitting this specialty CNS into the organization is briefly examined through systems theory. Integrating the role into the system requires role making, role taking, and steps to reduce the stress associated with establishing a new role. Communication with involved subsystems, such as postanesthesia staff nurses, management, anesthesia staff, and physicians, is vital to the success of the role. Through education and interaction, significance of the role can be demonstrated to establish the postanesthesia CNS as a vital partner in postanesthesia nursing practice.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Heffline
mesh_terms: D003253:Consultants; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D015399:Nursing Research; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing; D012380:Role; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013663:Teaching