COVID-19 Pandemic: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice Supporting Preparedness in the Spheres of Impact

The goal of this article is to describe how a high-functioning clinical nurse specialist (CNS) team rapidly responded to the needs of the patients, nursing staff, and organization as a whole to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

Using the advanced practice knowledge and skills, each CNS moved effortlessly between the 3 spheres of influence, patient, nursing, and organization, to address the unique needs of the COVID-positive patient, as well as the routinely ill who still needed care during a pandemic. In addition to observing and addressing opportunities at the bedside, the CNS team was essential in the development of plans of care, crisis care standards, and a structure for critical care cross-training.

Five themes essential to success were identified: a common motivation and goal, collaboration, the importance of communication in utilizing established groups to create rapid change, power of influence, and the availability of a vast number of resources including professional nursing roles.

Using the expertise of a specially trained team of CNSs, an effective plan was established to ensure safe, optimal care during the COVID-19 pandemic and effectively support frontline nurses.