Clinical Nurse Specialists at UVA Health - Advanced Practice Providers

Clinical Nurse Specialists

CNSs at UVA Health

Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are advanced practice registered nurses who integrate expert clinical care, leadership, and research to transform healthcare delivery. At UVA Health, our CNS team leads system-wide initiatives that enhance patient safety, optimize care processes, and advance nursing excellence.

Through evidence-based practice and collaboration, CNSs influence three key spheres of impact: patients and families, nurses and nursing practice, and organizational systems. Their expertise drives measurable improvements in outcomes, workforce resiliency, and healthcare innovation across UVA Health.

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Director's Welcome

Kimberly W. Elgin, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, PCCN, CMSRN, FCNS, FAAN

Advanced Practice Provider Director
Center for Advanced Practice, UVA Health

Email Kimberly

"Welcome to the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) team at UVA Health. Our CNSs are integral to advancing evidence-based practice, improving patient outcomes, and supporting nursing excellence across the health system."

As highly skilled advanced practice nurses, CNSs influence care delivery through expert clinical consultation, patient education, and system-level leadership. I am honored to serve as the Director of the Clinical Nurse Specialist team within the Center for Advanced Practice. With more than three decades in nursing and over 14 years as a CNS at UVA Health, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of this role.

Our CNSs lead initiatives that enhance patient safety, optimize care processes, and strengthen workforce resiliency—work that benefits patients, families, and care teams alike. Beyond UVA Health, I have been privileged to advocate for expanding CNS scope of practice, helping remove structural barriers and secure prescriptive authority in Virginia. These efforts, along with advancing credentialing and privileging standards, have shaped innovative practice models now influencing CNS practice nationally and internationally.

Our CNS team is committed to excellence, collaboration, and innovation. I invite you to explore this page to learn more about our role, our impact, and the ways we continue to elevate practice at UVA Health.

For questions or further insights, please contact Kimberly Elgin at kwe2j@uvahealth.org.

About the Clinical Nurse Specialist Role

Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who combine expert clinical care with systems leadership to improve health outcomes across the continuum of care. CNSs provide advanced assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for complex health conditions, while also leading initiatives that enhance patient safety, optimize care processes, and advance nursing practice.

Distinctive among APRN roles, CNSs influence care in three spheres of impact:

Patients and Families: Delivering holistic, evidence-based care and coaching to improve outcomes and quality of life.
Nurses and Nursing Practice: Mentoring and consulting to strengthen clinical judgment, foster professional growth, and ensure best practices.
Organizations and Systems: Driving quality improvement, shaping policy, and implementing evidence-based interventions that promote equity and efficiency.

Prepared at the graduate level, CNSs integrate advanced clinical expertise with leadership and research to transform healthcare delivery. Their work reduces harm, improves outcomes, and fosters inclusive, equitable environments for patients and care teams alike.

Learn More at NACNS.org

Key Highlights & Impact

Who We Are

Advanced practice nurses with graduate-level preparation who integrate clinical expertise, evidence-based practice, and leadership to improve patient care and health system performance.

Our Impact

Drive quality and safety initiatives across UVA Health.
Lead interprofessional collaboration to optimize care delivery.
Implement evidence-based solutions that reduce harm and improve outcomes.

Innovation & Advocacy

Pioneered expansion of CNS scope of practice in Virginia, including prescriptive authority and credentialing standards.
Influence national and international CNS practice models through scholarship and leadership.

Recognition & Excellence

UVA Health CNS team contributes to Magnet® designation and nursing excellence.
Nationally recognized leadership, including Magnet Nurse of the Year® and fellows of the American Academy of Nursing.

Join Our Team

Meet Our CNS Team

[Full Name]

MSN, RN, ACNS-BC

Specialty Area / Clinical Focus

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[Full Name]

DNP, RN, ACNS-BC

Population Health / Adult Critical Care

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Susan Ketcham

MSN, RN, ACNS-BC

APP Manager – CNS Team

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Each of our Clinical Nurse Specialists brings unique expertise, leadership, and commitment to improving patient outcomes across UVA Health.

Benefits of Credentialing

At UVA Health, credentialing ensures that Clinical Nurse Specialists consistently meet the highest standards of excellence. It reinforces trust, promotes accountability, and provides a structured pathway for CNSs to advance both professionally and academically.

The process affirms competency, validates leadership, and safeguards patient care by aligning practice with national benchmarks. Through this model, CNSs continue to lead with integrity, innovation, and expertise—strengthening outcomes across every service line.

“Credentialing empowers CNSs to influence systems, elevate nursing practice, and transform care delivery.”

Clinical Nurse Specialists Credentialing

*Video: Benefits of Credentialing – Center for Advanced Practice, UVA Health.*

Join Our Team

Clinical Nurse Specialists at UVA Health lead with expertise, compassion, and innovation. If you are passionate about advancing practice, improving outcomes, and driving excellence in patient care, explore our current opportunities and become part of a nationally recognized team committed to making a difference.

View Open Positions

*For questions regarding CNS opportunities, please contact the Center for Advanced Practice at UVA Health.*