The similarities and differences between advanced nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists (original) (raw)
Cooper, Mark A., McDowell, Joan, Raeside, Lavinia and the ANP–CNS. Group, . ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9705-4311(2019) The similarities and differences between advanced nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists.British Journal of Nursing, 28(20), 1308 -1314. (doi: 10.12968/bjon.2019.28.20.1308) (PMID:31714817)
Abstract
A lack of awareness exists within healthcare services on the differences between the roles of advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) and clinical nurse specialist (CNS). This may lead to ambiguity in relation to the development, scope of practice and impact of these roles. The aim of this review was to compare the similarities and differences between the ANP and CNS within the research literature. Databases (CINAHL, Medline and Embase) were searched using selected search terms. This resulted in 120 articles of potential interest being identified. Following a rigorous review process for content and relevance, this was reduced to 12. Both roles are valuable and effective, predominately being clinically based with education, leadership and research components. CNS roles are specialist, ANP are more likely to be generalist. Where there is regulation and governance the role of the ANP is clearly defined and structured; however, a lack of governance and regulation is evident in many countries.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | McDowell, Dr Joan and Hill, Dr Katherine and Cooper, Dr Mark |
| Authors: | Cooper, M. A., McDowell, J., Raeside, L., and the ANP–CNS. Group, . |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Nursing and Health Care |
| Journal Name: | British Journal of Nursing |
| Publisher: | Mark Allen Healthcare |
| ISSN: | 0966-0461 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2052-2819 |
| Published Online: | 19 November 2019 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © The Author(s) |
| First Published: | First published in British Journal of Nursing 28(20):1308-1314 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons license |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Deposit and Record Details
| ID Code: | 361106 |
|---|---|
| Depositing User: | Dr Katherine Hill |
| Datestamp: | 05 Aug 2025 12:02 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Aug 2025 08:27 |
| Date of acceptance: | 1 June 2019 |
| Date of first online publication: | 19 November 2019 |
| Date Deposited: | 6 August 2025 |