2021 Annual Conference

Role of CNS in COVID-19 Pandemic

In early spring 2020, a global pandemic started to make its mark in the United States. A large healthcare system in North Carolina recognized the need to act and prepare before the potentially ravaging effects would burden the healthcare system and those working in it. As specially trained Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), the Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) within a large level 1 trauma, quaternary care facility quickly assumed a leading role in preparations for the emerging COVID-19 crisis.  A team of critical-care CNSs developed a crisis staffing model and standards of care to guide safe practice in the setting of a surge of COVID-19 patients. This presentation aims to highlight the unique contributions of the critical-care CNS during the novel COVID-19 pandemic. Tactics to support the frontline staff such as Care of the COVID ICU Patient Guide and development of an interprofessional prone team during a time of ever-changing guidelines and navigating the unknown will be presented. Products of this work and learnings can be applied to future crisis management beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.