The Clinical Nurse Specialist: Maximizing Return on Investment.

The United States health care system is facing an unprecedented nursing shortage, increasing complexity of care, and fewer experienced nurse mentors. These factors contribute to a cycle of burnout, turnover, decreased quality and safety, and a worsening financial bottom line. Improving these contributing factors depends on our ability to mitigate the structural causes of burnout and turnover. The clinical nurse specialist role is essential to improving the work environment, advancing evidence-based nursing practice, reducing turnover, and stabilizing the bottom line.