Core competencies for clinical nurse specialists: a usable framework

This article describes a framework of generic core competencies for assessing the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). It was devised by a group of CNSs at Kingston Hospital NHS Trust, over a two year period. Currently, there is considerable confusion surrounding the role of the CNS. The UKCC is in the process of clarifying what is meant by specialist practice, with the aim of formally recognizing its status on the register. There does not seem to be a consensus opinion on the standards of competence required to practise as a CNS. This article seeks to address this issue by demonstrating a means of competency-based assessment for the role of the CNS.