Clinical Nurse SpecialistA Copyright B 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins DOI: 10.1097/01.NUR.0000443072.05277.7a News National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist News President’s Message Carol Manchester, MSN, RN, ACNS, BC-ADM, CDE his is my last address as President of the National As- Our association and our members continue to be chal- Tsociation of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS). It has lenged by competitive demands, market pressures, and been an honor and privilege to serve you this year. I sin- insufficient demonstration and evidence of productivity cerely thank you for this opportunity, for your support and outcomes specific to CNS practice. This year NACNS and constructive criticism, and for your commitment to will focus significant efforts on our membership for growth nursing, to advanced practice and the role of the clinical and sustainability. The strategic plan outlines goals and nurse specialist (CNS), and to this organization. I wish to tactics that will drive the work of the organization over acknowledge the Board of Directors who worked tirelessly the next 5 years. The board is aware of the choices each on your behalf including Les Rodriguez, Peggy Barksdale, of you must make professionally, and it is our hope that Rachel Moody, Tanya Williams, Anne Muller, Cecelia Gray, you continue to recognize the importance and value of Ann Hysong, Ginger Pierson, Gayle Timmerman, Fiona belonging to the one organization that fully supports your Winterbottom, and Jan Fulton. Melinda Mercer-Ray, exec- professional role. Intentional work will be done to pro- utive director, and Jason Harbonic, managing director, are mote the unique value the CNS brings to interprofessional exceptional individuals who have contributed in countless teams and healthcare delivery. The work of the Cost and waystotheprogressandsuccessesNACNShasmade. Outcomes Task Force is one effort to assist all CNSs to As I reflect on this past year, the one constant has been measure, analyze, and evaluate their work. We have called change. The nature of the healthcare landscape is evolv- upon our faculty and schools to enhance curriculum, pro- ing with the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, insurance viding a foundation for the CNS to be prepared for program exchanges, medical homes, and accountable care organi- development and creating a business case. zations. Despite of the months of planning and prepara- Recognition of success and accomplishment is impor- tion that took place prior to 2014, implementation has tant, and at our annual meeting, we collectively celebrated been less than optimal. Yet, it is clear healthcare reform our award winners. I am pleased to report that we have had was and is needed. As the government, organizations, pro- a record year of individuals stepping forward to volunteer viders, and clients go forward with resolve to optimize pro- for committees, task forces, affiliates, and leadership posi- grams and the safety and quality of care delivered, the fear tions. This trend is encouraging and confirms NACNS is of the unknown consequences and unforeseen changes acting on issues that are important to our members. Efforts that will occur is palpable. For the CNS, there is significant to incorporate diverse backgrounds, experiences, and spe- opportunity to lead and guide. However, this can be chal- cialties within our working groups have been made and lenging and uncomfortable. The role of the CNS will con- will continue. Collaborations with other organizations have tinue to evolve over the next few years in ways we cannot expanded this year, and new partnerships are being ex- imagine now. It is essential for each of us to actively posi- plored. One such effort will be charged to the Research tion ourselves to define the scope of our practice and guide Committee to seek opportunities for NACNS to engage and the future. energize our membership in the work of PCORI (Patient- Centered Outcomes Research Institute). There may be other The author reports no conflicts of interest. professional nursing organizations NACNS can partner with Clinical Nurse SpecialistA www.cns-journal.com 77 Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. News in comparative clinical effectiveness research. KAR Associ- ing nurses and focuses primarily on their personal lives, ates has represented us extremely well on the Hill, and PR rather than their work as nurses. Solutions had increased the public’s awareness of NACNS. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists These things are just a sampling of the positive steps made (NACNS) called on MTV to cancel the show on the grounds this past year. that it is demeaning to nurses and detrimental to efforts Change, challenges, celebrations was the theme for this to address the nursing shortage. Several other nursing past year. I thank you for accompanying me on this jour- associations, including National Nurses United, American ney. The annual report of NACNS and the presentation I Nurses Association, Canadian Nurses Association, and gave at the annual meeting can be found on the NACNS Change.org, have also urged the network to chancel Website.IfyouwereunabletobeinOrlandowithus,please the show, pointing out that its portrayal of nurses is offen- take the time to review what has been done, see our award sive and may harm efforts to encourage young people to winners and volunteers, and view the strategic plan for the enter the profession. next 5 years. It is my hope that you will be pleased. In a letter addressed to MTV President Stephen Fried- man, NACNS President Carol Manchester wrote: AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR 2013 As an organization representing nurses, we at the Congratulations to the California Association of Clinical National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Nurse Specialist as the affiliate of the year. The California are deeply disappointed in MTV’s decision to air the Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CACNS) started in reality television show ‘‘Scrubbing In.’’ This program the late 1980s, formerly as the Southern California CNS Net- portrays nurses in a disrespectful and unfair light work when a group of clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) work- for purely salacious purposes. We urge you in the ing at Kaiser Permanente in Fontana, California, banded strongest possible terms to cancel it. together to share expertise. Over the past 33 years, the As the largest group of healthcare professionals, CACNS has grown from a handful of members to 192, and nurses are central to providing and improving our we have changed our name to reflect participation by all nation’s healthcare. As you must be aware, the interested CNSs in the entire state of California and to be United States is facing a shortage of nurses, and there more in synch with the NACNS. Our organization has fluc- are efforts underway across the country to encourage tuated some with the economic times and continues to young people to enter nursing and increase grow significantly in numbers and scope from the small be- enrollment in nursing schools. A television program ginnings. Efforts are credited to a membership body with that intentionally reinforces negative and antiquated vast expertise and also to a board of officers and directors stereotypes about nurses and that shows them in the who coordinate all activities. worst possible light does nothing to support those A large and multitalented group has created an energy efforts, and, in fact, serves to do the opposite. that has seen them through significant growth as they strive At a time when our nation needs nurses more than to keep members abreast of the legislative and political ever, this program is denigrating and demeaning changes affecting the role of the CNS locally, regionally, the members of what has been shown time and again and nationally. One major goal was to strengthen their ties to be one of the most trusted professions in the with the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, United States. ‘‘Scrubbing In’’ does a serious and they proudly state that 51% of their members are also disservice to nurses, nursing students, our healthcare members of NACNS. In addition, several members currently system, and our nation as a whole. hold positions within NACNS or actively participate in the APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) Coalition and NACNS 2014 Conference, The Best Kept SecretVThe the California Action Coalition, illustrating their continued Clinical Nurse Specialist Contribution to Quality Care, commitment to national organizational efforts. It has always March 6 to 8, 2014 been their philosophy that there is power in numbers. They It is time to consider your plans to attend the NACNS 214 all value the significant impact the role of the CNS plays in Conference. The conference offers the opportunity for you a variety of clinical and academic settings and how the mar- to network with your colleagues as well as enjoy the sunny riage of the NACNS and CACNS organizations will help us resort environment of the Orlando World Center Marriott continue to see this to fruition. and of course the many activities in Orlando. Conference registration and lodging information will be available soon. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Room rates at the Orlando World Center Marriott will be Encourages Cancellation of MTV Show ‘‘Scrubbing In’’ available for $189 per night for single or double rooms. For On October 24, MTV began airing a new reality show about specific questions about registration or hotel accommoda- nurses that has caused uproar in the nursing community. tions, please contact the NACNS office at 215-320-3881 or The show, ‘‘Scrubbing In,’’ features a cast of young travel- [email protected]. 78 www.cns-journal.com March/April 2014 Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.