Using a scorecard to demonstrate clinical nurse specialists' contributions

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Management
• Quality Improvement

Background:

• Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) possess expertise to drive change across patient, nurse, and system levels.
• CNSs navigate healthcare challenges including cost reduction, quality assurance, and outcome achievement.
• Existing evidence confirms CNSs' significant role in enhancing patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the invisibility of CNS contributions to improved patient outcomes.
• To develop a scorecard for CNSs to transparently showcase their evidence-based work.
• To enhance the recognition and impact of the CNS role within a tertiary hospital setting.

Main Methods:

• Description of the development process for a CNS scorecard.
• Implementation within a 627-bed tertiary hospital.
• Focus on displaying evidence-based work and outcomes attributed to CNSs.

Main Results:

• A scorecard was developed to increase transparency of CNS contributions.
• The scorecard aims to make the evidence-based work of CNSs more visible.
• Potential for the scorecard to demonstrate CNS influence on patient, nurse, and system levels.

Conclusions:

• A CNS scorecard can be invaluable for recognizing and demonstrating their impact.
• The scorecard enhances transparency regarding the evidence-based work performed by CNSs.
• This initiative supports the visibility and value of CNSs in healthcare settings.