title: Clinical nurse specialists' perceptions of work patterns, outcomes, desires, and emerging trends.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explored clinical nurse specialists' (CNSs') perceptions of work patterns, outcomes, desires, and emerging trends in practice.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinical nurse specialists transform patient care toward high-quality, cost-effective outcomes, but the role includes multiple dimensions contributing to role confusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using qualitative methods, 12 CNSs were interviewed for perceptions of their role in healthcare today. Data reduction and confirmability strategies were used in data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Work patterns included office activities, patient rounds, working with nurses, attending meetings, and supporting quality improvement initiatives. Outcomes included safer patient care, getting patients the resources they need, transforming nurses, and meeting the quality metrics. An emerging trend was increased involvement in research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical nurse specialists perceive the role to be important in driving change and transforming nursing care towards high-quality clinical outcomes.
authors: Author Affiliation: Associate Professor, McAuley School of Nursing, University of Detroit Mercy, Michigan.
authors: Mitzi M
authors: MM
authors: Saunders
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D013041:Specialties, Nursing; D014481:United States; D016526:Workload