TyI am writing in full support of this petition of the Virginia Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist to remove the barriers to the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) recognizes the CNS as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). This recognition acknowledges the advanced knowledge, skills and training required for eligibility to take certification exams.  CNS train to care for populations of patients. I personally trained in Critical Care and hold a certification as a Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (CCNS). My training is above the training RNs receive to work in critical care and I have the unique position to work with the population of patients and understand the systems to help in their overall care. I was very disappointed after completing my Masters of Science in Acute Care Nursing and my certification as a CCNS, to only receive a registration from the Commonwealth and still be considered a RN not an APRN.   There are many areas that the Commonwealth excels in providing excellence but is missing the opportunity to provide residences the additional resources and knowledge the CNS brings to healthcare.  It is time to join the other 36 states that recognizes the CNS as an APRN.  Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important change in practice.