Challenges in the perinatal clinical nurse specialist role

Evolving changes in health care trends and national directives, including recommendations from the Institute of Medicine (1985), are shaping priorities in perinatal nursing care. This paper addresses considerations for expanding the scope of practice of perinatal clinical nurse specialists (PCNS). The role of the PCNS in the participation of healthy policy implementation is one area to activate. Legislative action involving perinatal nurses influences the scope of practice. Expansion of the clinical nurse specialist roles in consultation/education and practice/research is necessary to emphasize preventative health care, program development, and community liaison activities.