Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), and are recognized as such in many states. I work in Pennsylvania, where CNSs are integral treatment providers in our health care system. I am currently employed as an educator, but have worked many years in psychiatric/mental health care and have worked with many psychiatric CNSs who provide a high quality of care to mentally ill individuals. This Advanced Practice role was the first developed by the profession of nursing following WWII.  I strongly urge the VA Board of Nursing to adopt the Consensus Model,  to ensure uniformity in licensure, accreditation, and certification. Such a move will facilitate the regulation of safe and competent APNs in their delivery of health care to the public, and will allow CNSs to fully practice within the scope of their training.Type over this text and enter your comments here.