Defining professional needs and goals: what do I want out of nursing?

The role of the clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric-mental health nursing is undergoing transformation secondary to massive changes occurring within the health care delivery system, as well as the larger society. In order to address these changes and their influence upon the evolution of the advanced practice role of clinical nurse specialists in psychiatric-mental health nursing, an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of twelve members of The Society of Certified Clinical Specialists in Psychiatric Nursing of the New Jersey State Nurses' Association met in 1996 and 1997 in order to explore and define the future of clinical nurse specialists in psychiatric-mental health nursing.