A survey of 636 staff nurses: perceptions and factors influencing the CNS role.

The specific aim of this investigation was to document the perceptions of the CNS role and the factors influencing the role. The Clifford Clinical Specialist Functions Inventory was used to survey staff nurses at two affiliated medical centers. A 38% response rate was obtained. A total of 636 surveys were returned. Analysis of the data indicated: the CNS was perceived as valuable; physical presence of the CNS on the nursing unit enhanced role enactment; and a list of CNS role expectations could be developed based on perceptions of staff nurses. The results indicated that perceptions of the CNS role did not vary among staff nurses at the two medical centers.

The clinical practice developmental model: the transition process.

The authors report their hospital's experience in replicating Benner's novice-to-expert clinical nursing practice model, called the Clinical Practice Developmental Model. The authors describe the outcomes of an exploratory, qualitative study conducted to understand staff nurses' perceptions of their transition experience from a traditional clinical ladder for advancement and recognition to the theoretically based clinical practice developmental model. The findings of this study identify critical factors that influenced nurses' perceptions and describe positive and negative outcomes of transition. Specific recommendations to facilitate organizational changes for the nurse executive and the individual nurse are discussed.