The Clinical Nurse Specialist as Change Agent

Abstract

CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALISTS play increasingly important roles in effecting change in patient care and health care delivery systems because of their advanced nursing education and skills, and the key positions they hold in health care institutions. CNS change agent skills are central to activities in all four major CNS role components. These specific change agent skills and expectations of the CNS as change agent are discussed in this article. General strategies for change and issues of working with resistance are explored. The evolution of change agent skills and the developing scope of change agent activities as the CNS moves from beginner to expert are also discussed. © Williams & Wilkins 1995. All Rights Reserved.