The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is a nurse with a MSN degree who meets Indiana requirements for CNS designation.  Clinical Nurse Specialists are clinical experts in evidence-based nursing practice within a specialty area, treating and managing the health concerns of patients and populations.  CNS's practice autonomously and integrate knowledge of disease and medical treatments into assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients' illnesses.  CNS's provide leadership in advancing the practice of nursing to achieve quality and cost effective patient outcomes as well as provide leadership of multi-discliplinary groups in designing and implementing innovative alternative solutions that address system problems and/or patient care issues.  The CNS will function within the three spheres of influence:  the client, personnel and organizational systems.