Chapter 27. Practice of Clinical Nurse Specialist

“Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)” means a registered nurse who is certified by the Board as:

“Board” means the Board of Nursing.

“Certification” means the permission to practice as a clinical nurse specialist granted by the Board to a registered nurse who:

“Clinical nurse specialist” means an advanced practice registered nurse certified by the Board to practice as a clinical nurse specialist in this State.

“Multistate licensure privilege” has the meaning set forth in COMAR 10.27.01.01B.

“Registered nurse (RN)” means an individual who:

“Standard of care” means the practice of clinical nurse specialist in accordance with the core competencies and behaviors specified by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), or other national certifying body recognized by the Board.

“System” means the setting within which the clinical nurse specialist is practicing.

Hold a current Maryland license in good standing to practice registered nursing or a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered;

Have graduated from a Board-approved graduate level education program for a clinical nurse specialist at the master’s level or higher that is accredited by;

Successfully complete a national certifying exam recognized by the Board for national certification as a clinical nurse specialist in the applicant’s area of practice;

Hold a current national certification as a clinical nurse specialist from a national certifying body recognized by the Board;

Submit to the Board a completed application for certification as a clinical nurse specialist on a form required by the Board;

Comply with all requirements set forth in COMAR 10.27.01.04;

Demonstrate oral and written competency in the English language; and

Pay all fees.

Been licensed as a registered nurse in Maryland or has a multistate privilege to practice registered nursing;

Obtained a master’s degree or higher in Nursing;

Practiced as a clinical nurse specialist; and

One of the following:

Is otherwise entitled to be certified;

Submits to the Board:

Pays all fees.

Integrate care across the continuum and through three spheres of impact:

Ranges from:

Practicing with individual clients, families, groups, and populations of clients;

Performing a comprehensive physical assessment of patients;

Establishing medical diagnosis for common short-term and chronic stable health problems;

Diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with acute and chronic illness or disease, or both;

Ordering, performing, and interpreting laboratory tests;

Ordering diagnostic tests and using the findings or results in the care of patients

Initiating, monitoring, and altering appropriate therapies or treatments;

Providing primary health care, including health promotion and disease prevention by assessing, educating, and providing referrals for the patient, family, and caregiver;

Providing emergency care;

Referring patients to appropriate licensed physicians or other health care providers as needed;

Consulting or collaborating with a licensed physician or other health care provider as needed; and

Creating therapeutic environments through mentoring and system changes to:

A current license to practice registered nursing in this State or holds a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing;

Submitted a completed application for certification as a clinical nurse specialist graduate; and

Submitted satisfactory evidence that the applicant has applied to take a national certifying exam recognized by the Board and has been accepted as a candidate for the exam.

Certified clinical nurse specialist;

Clinical nurse specialist (CNS);

Clinical Registered Nurse Specialist (CRNS);

Clinical nurse specialist graduate; or

Nurse specialist graduate.