AACN Scope and Standards for Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice 2022

Current trends and developments in advanced practice nursing, in association with issues in healthcare delivery and an aging society, continue to drive the roles and responsibilities of the acute care clinical nurse specialist (CNS). The need has emerged for a provider with unique knowledge, skills and abilities to manage a patient’s care across the full continuum of acuity and care services from wellness to illness.

The purpose of “AACN Scope and Standards for Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice 2022” is to describe the practice of the acute care CNS, whether trained and certified to care for neonatal, pediatric or adult-gerontology patients. The 2022 document has been updated with perspectives on changes in nursing, including learning from the pandemic experiences. It includes a greater focus on and integration of equity, diversity and inclusion.