Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are advanced practice registered nurses who are licensed as CNSs in the State of California and who are experts in the care of specific patient populations and/or conditions.
UCSF Health is proud to have our CNS colleagues work alongside other clinical experts who may not be licensed as CNSs, but who function in that role. The CNS and Advanced Practice Specialists collaborate with the patient care leadership team, multidisciplinary colleagues, medical center administration, and patients and families to ensure safe, evidence-based quality care is consistently provided to patients and their families.
The State of California Board of Registered Nursing defines the CNS role based on five domains of practice:
- clinical practice
- education
- consultation
- research
- leadership
The scope of CNS practice and impact of CNS work affects three spheres of influence: Patients and their families, nurses, and organization systems.
UCSF Health Clinical Nurse Specialists and Advanced Practice Specialists
- Marilyn Bazinski, DNP, RN-BC, AGCNS, Pain Management Clinical Nurse Specialiast
- Sarah Berger, MS, RN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN, Adult Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Sasha Binford, PhD, MS, RN, PHN, AGCNS-BC, Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Skyler Bivens, BSN, RN-BC, CWOCN, Wound Ostomy Care Nurse
- Jeannie Chan, MS, RN, NNP-BC, CNS, Intensive Care Nursery Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Shelley Diane, MS, RN, CCNS, CWCN-AP, PNP, CCRN, Pediatric Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Lori Fineman, MS, RN, CCNS, Pediatric Surgical Intensive Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Amy Larsen, MS, RN, CCRN, SCRN, ACCNS-AG, Adult Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Melissa Lee, MS, RN, PCCN, GCNS-BC, Adult Acute & Transitional Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Michelle Macal, MSN, RN, CNS, PCCN, Adult Acute & Transitional Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Mary Nottingham, MSN, RN, Pediatric Medical/Surgical & Transitional Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Esther Rov-Ikpah (Igu), MS, RN-BC, CDCES, Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
- Diane Sandman, MSN, RN, CWOC, FNP, Wound Ostomy Clinical Nurse
- Cass Sandoval, MSN, RN, CCRN, CCNS, Adult Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Chrissie Smith, MSN, RN, CNS, CWOCN, Pediatric Wound Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Ben Tanner, MSN, RN, CNS, FNP-BC, CEN, Emergency Department Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Vickie Thun, MS, RN, FNP-BC, Wound Ostomy Clinical Nurse