R4-19-514. Standards Related to Clinical Nurse Specialist Scope of Practice

In addition to the functions of a registered nurse, a CNS, according to A.R.S. § 32-1601(7), may perform one or more of the following for an individual, family, or group within the population focus of certification and for which competency has been maintained: 1. Conduct an advanced assessment, analysis, and evaluation of a patient’s complex health needs; 2. Establish primary and differential health status diagnoses; 3. Direct health care as an advanced clinician; 4. Develop, implement, and evaluate a treatment plan according to a patient’s need for specialized nursing care; 5. Establish nursing standing orders, algorithms, and practice guidelines related to interventions and specific plans of care; 6. Manage health care according to written protocols; 7. Facilitate system changes on a multidisciplinary level to assist a health care facility and improve patient outcomes cost-effectively; 8. Consult with the public and professionals in health care, business, and industry in the areas of research, case management, education, and administration; 9. Perform psychotherapy if certified as a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric and mental health nursing; 10. Prescribe, order, administer, and dispense therapeutic measures including pharmacologic agents and devices if authorized under R4-19-511, and within the limitations of A.R.S. § 32-1651; and 11. Perform additional acts that the clinical nurse specialist is qualified to perform.