Education for the advanced practice of clinical nurse specialists.

The results of an ethnographic study of the expert practice of clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) can be used to develop a curriculum based on the actual clinical competencies and skilled performance of successful CNSs. Benner's seven domains of expert clinical nurse practice formed the conceptual framework for an investigation that confirmed that expert CNSs demonstrate those domains as well as additional clinical, educational, and consultative competencies specific to the role. Several examples from the practice of oncology CNSs are included. Incorporating these findings into graduate education learning experiences would ensure that new graduates of CNS programs have a grasp of the realistic as well as the theoretical aspects of the role.