NACNS White Paper on Telehealth Competency for the Clinical Nurse Specialist: Gap Analysis and Recommendations

Abstract

The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) supports and advocates for the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in the provision of telehealth services. The diversity of CNS roles and practice settings creates challenges in precisely defining how telehealth is incorporated into the CNS role. Nevertheless, CNS practice foundations support competencies related to telehealth across the spheres of impact: direct patient care, nurses and nursing practice, healthcare systems and organizations. As one of the four advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) roles, CNSs lead healthcare and develop innovative and effective care solutions, including telehealth, in diverse healthcare settings to improve outcomes. This paper will use the broader term “telehealth” to encompass nursing practice across the continuum of health and healthcare.