The title of CNS is recognized and title protected by Virginia law for those educated and certified as CNSs and acknowledged as advanced practice registered nurses.  This acknowledgement closely aligns with the intent of the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation.  The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) also acknowledges the CNS practice as one of the four advanced practice nursing roles, which is also consistent with the long-standing recognition of CNSs as providers by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  I encourage the board to consider the changes proposed by the Virginia Association of CNSs to define regulations to standardize the language used for initial and renewal, education, certification credentialing of CNS practice in Virginia and modify the language in so that CNSs shall be recognized as being able to provide advanced services according to the specialized training received from a program satisfactory to the Board.  

Respectfully,

Sarah Taylor, AGCNS-BC, MSN, MHR, CEN

As President of the Virginia Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, I wholeheartedly support this NOIRA. VaCNS appreciates the supportive comments from Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) across Virginia as well as those of the APRN community. Although it does not include all the desired elements described in our petition, it answers some urgent concerns. VaCNS looks forward to not only working with the Board of Nursing to update current CNS regulations related to CNS registration and practice in Virginia, but to work collaboratively, using the national practice standards formulated by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, to assimilate descriptions of CNS practice described in the Code of Virginia with that of the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation.

As a practicing Clinical Nurse Specialist in Virginia, I support the NOIRA. I appreciate the Board of Nursing working with the Virginia Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists to update the current Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) regulations related registration and practice in Virginia. I also support continued work to align the Code of Virginia regarding CNS practice with the Consensus Model for APRN regulation.

As a registered Clinical Nurse Specialist in Virginia and President-Elect of the Virginia Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, I support the NOIRA and look forward to working with the Board of Nursing to update the current clinical nurse specialist regulations to support CNS registration and continued practice in Virginia, and to working collaboratively to align the Code of Virginia regarding CNS practice with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation.

Cindy Ward, DNP, RN-BC, CMSRN, ACNS-BC

As a registered Clinical Nurse Specialist in Virginia and a member of the Virginia Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, I fully support the NOIRA and look forward to not only working with the Board of Nursing to update the current clinical nurse specialist regulations to support CNS registration and practice in Virginia, but to continue working collaboratively to align the Code of Virginia regarding CNS practice with the APRN Consensus Model.

Support !!!

As a registered Clinical Nurse Specialist in Virginia, I support the NOIRA to support CNS registration and continued collaborative efforts to align the Code of Virginia with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation.

I am a registered Clinical Nurse Specialist in Virginia, and am also board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, as an Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.  I am a member of the Virginia Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, as well as a member of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.  I fully support the notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA) that has been submitted.  

I stand behind any collaborative efforts that will align the Code of Virginia with the Consensus Model for APRN regulation, licensure, accreditation, certification and education.  The residents of Virginia deserve access to the very best care providers available, practicing to their fullest educational preparation levels.