title: Clinical nurse specialists leading research to improve practice in the use of ankle blood pressure readings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article is to describe Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) practice as it relates to leadership in clinical research through the presentation of a study on ankle blood pressure (BP) measurements led by the CNS.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Under the direction of the CNS, staff nurses engaged in the EBP process to explore the association between arm and ankle BP measurements. This EBP project led to a research study which was directed and led by the CNS.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  CNS practice requires leadership in the areas of evidence-based practice and research. CNS leadership was critical to the success of the research project.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study was undertaken which examined the agreement between upper extremity BP readings and ankle BP readings by comparing a series of three simultaneous ankle and arm BP readings on 174 subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Leading the research project elevated the CNS's visibility and influence within the organization by clearly demonstrating the value of the CNS in the research process and the impact nursing research has on nursing practice and patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Professor, Nursing, and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Nursing Education (Dr Maneval), Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Manager, Heart Failure Program (Ms Fowler), and Clinical Education Specialist and EKG Course Coordinator (Ms Fox) and Director, Surgical Services (Ms Wilson), Pinnacle Health System, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Rhonda E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Maneval
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Cyndy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000842:Ankle / Q000502:physiology*; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013041:Specialties, Nursing