Redefining the role of clinical nurse specialists.

Leadership in a time of change requires personal and professional skills. As nursing responds to the evolving health care environment, the advanced skills of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) are needed to promote a relationship with the client that is holistic and fiscally responsible. Positioned within vertically integrated corporations as community case manager, the CNS has an opportunity to bring innovative interpretations to the roles of practitioner, consultant, educator, and researcher.