title: Confusion, concern, or complimentary function: the overlapping roles of the clinical nurse specialist and the clinical nurse leader.
abstract: Within the practice environment there are many demands to meet and many conflicting perspectives. The most recent example of this conflict is the polarity caused by the confusion and overlap between the established role of the clinical nurse specialist and the emerging role of the clinical nurse leader. The issues surrounding the confusion, concern, and potential for complimentary function are explored. The intent is to inform nursing leaders and provide points to use in making decisions regarding the roles and the focus on patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA. kagoudreau@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Kelly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Goudreau
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D009718:Nurse Administrators; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D024802:Nurse's Role; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States