Improving the Quality of Pain Management Through Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice: The Work of the 2023 National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Pain Management Task Force
Clin Nurse Spec. 2026 Jul-Aug 01;40(4):153-158. doi: 10.1097/NUR.0000000000000968. Epub 2026 Jun 3.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This article describes the work of the 2023 National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) Pain Management Task Force in reviewing and updating the work of the 2018 Pain Management Task Force on pain management practices in clinical nurse specialist (CNS) practice.
DESCRIPTION: Convened in 2023, the Pain Management Task Force members collaborated to review and update the prior work to reflect current evidence and standards across the settings and populations served by CNS practice.
OUTCOME: The 2023 Task Force updated and revised the 3 prior NACNS position statements about pain practices through updated evidence review and with member feedback into 2 consolidated Position Statements. Updated recommendations and discussion around incorporating evidence-based pain management strategies across the CNS spheres of impact are described.
CONCLUSIONS: Improving pain management is achieved through patient, nurse, and organizational level interventions to offer comprehensive and patient-centered care targeted at mitigating disparities. The CNS is uniquely qualified to develop, implement, and monitor the efficacy of pain management programs and improve care of pain across all populations and settings.
PMID:42234786 | DOI:10.1097/NUR.0000000000000968