The Role and Practice of Clinical Nurse Specialists in the UK

Abstract

Specialist practice in the UK has a long history, but the role of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) remains unclear with no specific certification or regulatory framework.

This has resulted in a variety of levels of practice. In the UK the term CNS is not restricted to registered nurses or those in advanced practice, which could be seen as a risk.

This lack of regulatory framework has also meant that the development of practice has been unconstrained and innovative. Despite the variation in practice, the CNS role in the UK has largely evolved into an advanced practice role in order to meet patients’ and family’s needs.

In the UK there is a thriving specialist community across many areas of practice and patient populations which range from long-term conditions to more consultative expert roles.

There have been many studies that demonstrate the positive effect that specialist practice has on outcomes for patients, but the role is still poorly understood.

This chapter has been written before the 2020 APN ICN guidelines were published and reflects the views of the authors.