Celebrating Certified Nurse Specialist

Celebrating Clinical Nurse Specialist

 

Describe your role as an APP at VUMC and/or the type of patients you care for:

I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Acute Care Neurology and Neurosurgery floors at VUH.  I support the nursing staff in caring for a variety of neurosurgical, neuromuscular, stroke, and autoimmune disorders, along with the Epilepsy monitoring unit.  As a CNS my role is to make things better, whether it be patient experience, quality of care, or nurse education and advancement.

-Arlene Boudreaux, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CNRN, SCRN

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What is my favorite part about being in the Advanced Practice CNS

Being able to see a problem and develop a solution.  I have a wonderful group of people to pull from to make things happen.

-Arlene Boudreaux, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CNRN, SCRN

 

What would you want other APPs to know about being a CNS?

We’re here to help.  If you see a need let us know and we can work together to help our patients and staff.  CNSs work unit specific to organization wide.

-Arlene Boudreaux, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CNRN, SCRN

 

 

 

What work has your team done that you are most proud of?

I was lead of a group that improved the care of Parkinson’s disease patients throughout the hospital and outpatient realm at VUMC, reducing harm, improving satisfaction, and obtaining Joint Commission Certification for Excellence in Care.

-Arlene Boudreaux, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CNRN, SCRN

 

 

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What is something you do outside of work that brings you joy?

I have a hobby farm with chickens, goats, and vegetables.  Playing in the dirt makes me happy.

-Arlene Boudreaux, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CNRN, SCRN