Understanding clinical nurse specialist regulation by the boards of nursing.

The nursing profession and regulatory policy makers have struggled with the best and most consistent way to regulate advanced practice registered nurses in the role of clinical nurse specialist (CNS). Inconsistent scopes of practice, varying regulatory requirements, unavailability of certification examinations, and unclear educational preparation have been barriers to CNSs maximizing their clinical potential. Historical issues, the current nursing regulatory model in the United States, 4 domains of Boards of Nursing function, and the implications for future CNS regulation and the need for individual CNS engagement in public policy formation based on the 2008 Consensus Model are discussed.