BACKGROUND: In 1998, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist (NACNS) developed the first ever core competencies for clinical nurse specialist (CNS) practice. PURPOSE: This article describes the method used to develop, validate, and revise CNS core practice competencies. METHODS: The stepwise method of identifying core CNS competencies included content analysis of CNS position/job descriptions, extensive literature review, development by role experts, first-tier corroboration, second-tier corroboration encompassing stakeholder review, final review/editing, approval by the board of directors, and dissemination. DISCUSSION: The process used by professional organizations to develop competencies and standards varies; however, it should be transparent and consist of adequate review and validation for accuracy and applicability by members of the representative group for whom the standards and competencies apply. CONCLUSIONS: The stepwise method used by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist generated valid CNS core competencies and may be instructive to professional organizations interested in developing competencies and standards.
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Baldwin et al. (2007) studied this question.
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