National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists

12/06/2025

Help a future CNS colleague join NACNS — and earn a thank-you gift! 🎁

Be one of the first 10 members to refer a new colleague, and you’ll get to choose a special NACNS gift: a ceramic mug, ornament, or car magnet.

It’s simple: when a new member signs up and lists you as their referral, you qualify for a gift.

Spread the word and invite your peers to join today! 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wY8um

12/05/2025

We’re excited to announce the keynote speakers for the NACNS 2026 Annual Conference — “Collaborate” — the only national conference dedicated to the clinical nurse specialist!

Opening Keynote Speaker:
⭐ Penelope Gorsuch, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, EBP-C, FACHE, USAF Col (retired)
Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive, Summa Health

Closing Keynote Speaker:
⭐ Marian Altman, PhD, RN, CNS-BC, CCRN
Clinical Practice Specialist & CSI Academy Supervisor, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

🔗 Learn more about our speakers and register today: https://brnw.ch/21wY78t

12/04/2025

NACNS is thrilled to collaborate with Sigma Nursing on the Nurse Learning Exchange, making FREE, high-quality learning and NCPD hours accessible to nurses at every step of their career. 🤝

The Nurse Learning Exchange, supported by the Johnson & Johnson Foundation, gives you free access to high-quality education and NCPD contact hours so you can stay confident, current, and prepared for whatever comes next. Grow your skills, meet your requirements, and continue delivering excellent care.

Join the 1,700+ nurses already tapping into this invaluable resource » https://bit.ly/3XwtmJJ

11/28/2025

⏰ Reminder for NACNS Members! CNSI is offering travel grants for podium or poster presentations that advocate for the Clinical Nurse Specialist role and highlight innovations and outcomes among nurse leaders.

If you’ve presented in collaboration with nurse leaders/executives or at conferences primarily attended by non-CNS nurse leaders (e.g., AONL) in the last 6 months, this is for you! 🔗 For more information and the application, visit: https://brnw.ch/21wXUO1

11/26/2025

📣 New Webinar for NACNS Members — Dec 2 at 3:30 PM ET!

Join us for a webinar on Cultural Competency, featuring a high-risk pregnancy case study.

Speaker Kelly Kubisen, MSN, RN, ACCNS-N, RNC-NIC, C-ELBW, will cover:
➡️ Cultural beliefs influencing care
➡️ Pre-eclampsia pathophysiology & management
➡️ Advanced pharmacology: magnesium therapy & antihypertensives

Earn 1.0 CE hour, including 0.25 hours of advanced pharmacology.
👉 Learn more & register: https://brnw.ch/21wXR6c

11/25/2025

🚨 Important Update for the Nursing Community

New U.S. Department of Education rules could sharply restrict access to federal financing for graduate-level nursing students, including CNSs and other APRNs.

By reclassifying post-baccalaureate nursing programs as “graduate” instead of “professional,” nursing students would receive only half the loan amounts available to medical students.

NACNS is joining more than 50 nursing organizations to push for changes before the final regulation language is released in early 2026. Implementation is currently expected in July 2026.

➡️ Take action: Sign the petition urging the Department of Education to recognize nursing as a professional degree program. It takes less than a minute and makes a real impact.

✍️ Sign here: https://ana.quorum.us/campaign/professionaldegreepetition/

11/21/2025

NACNS is proud to join nursing leaders from across the country at this year’s Nursing Organizations Alliance (NOA) Annual Meeting and Leadership Academy in Kansas City.

This photo highlights the strength of collaboration across our profession, featuring:

➡️ Jennifer Mensik-Kennedy, American Nurses Association (ANA)
➡️ Kristi Reguin-Hartman, Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN)
➡️ Ron Kraus, Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
➡️ Missy Moreda, American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN)
➡️ Jackie Iseler, NACNS President-Elect
➡️ Rick Bassett, NACNS President

11/20/2025

Clinical nurse specialists, your voice matters — and NACNS is here to amplify it.

As the only organization representing all CNSs, NACNS strengthens the CNS role through advocacy, education, and professional connection. We champion title protection, full practice authority, and fair compensation — while helping you grow through exclusive benefits and collaboration.

Join a national network that advances patient care, supports professional excellence, and ensures the CNS role continues to thrive.

💡 Learn more about membership and find the right fit for you: https://brnw.ch/21wXGAZ

11/19/2025

A great moment from the recent Indiana Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (IACNS) annual conference — three NACNS presidents in one photo!

Pictured (left to right) are:

⭐2017 NACNS President Vince Holly, MSN, RN, CCNS, ACNS-BC, CCRN, FCNS. Vince is a Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist at Indiana University Health Bloomington.
⭐2025 NACNS President Rick Bassett, MSN, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, FCNS, LSSGB. Rick serves as an Adult Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist at St. Luke’s Health System (SLHS).
⭐2021 NACNS President Jan Powers, PhD, RN, CCRN, CCNS, NE-BC, FCCM, FAAN. Jan is Director of Nursing Research and Professional Practice at Parkview Health.

The November 14th conference brought the Indiana CNS community together to share ideas and strengthen ties. Thanks to the IACNS for hosting such a wonderful event. 👏

11/14/2025

📣 New Resource Alert: CNS Credentialing & Privileging Toolkit

As APRNs, clinical nurse specialists bring advanced expertise in diagnosing, prescribing, and treating — improving care at every level. But navigating credentialing and privileging can be complex.

The new CNS Credentialing & Privileging Toolkit breaks it down clearly and effectively.

🗂️ Understand the process
📋 Learn what to expect from your employer or organization
✅ Get tips for obtaining — and maintaining — your credentials and privileges
💬 Build confidence in your professional standing

Whether you're newly practicing or advocating for the CNS role in your health system, this toolkit is your guide.

📥 Download it now: https://bit.ly/47DwCsu

11/13/2025

The only national conference dedicated to Clinical Nurse Specialists returns March 9–12, 2026 — and this year’s theme says it all: Collaborate. 🤝

Join your peers in beautiful San Diego, CA ☀️ for four energizing days of connection, learning, and celebration. Expect inspiring keynotes, live pharmacology sessions, an interactive exhibit hall, poster presentations, CEs, and unmatched networking opportunities to help you advance your role and amplify the CNS voice.

If you plan to attend, now is the time to plan ahead. Our discounted room block at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina closes February 12, 2026 — but these rooms will fill up quickly.

Secure your spot, lock in the best deals, and get ready to collaborate in San Diego.

🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/4oHHagn

11/12/2025

The Nurses Day of Action is ON! Today, nurses across the country are mobilizing to demand safer workplaces and stronger support for their well-being. The American Nurses Association is calling on every nurse to contact their elected representatives and urge them to approve two critical bills:

⭐ The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act
⭐ The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act

Together, these bills address the alarming rise in workplace violence and the growing mental health crisis among nurses. Nearly 1 in 4 nurses report being assaulted on the job, and burnout is driving workforce shortages in 42 states by 2030.

Let’s make our voices heard. 🗣️ Post in support of your fellow nurses and contact your representatives today. Learn how to take part using the ANA’s toolkit: https://brnw.ch/21wXqNL