Clinical Nurse Specialists

Who We Are

A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with clinical specialty expertise for a population. CNSs practice in three spheres of impact: direct patient care, nurse/nursing practice, and at the organization/systems level.

Activities in one sphere interact, impact, and enhance activities in the other spheres. The full impact of the role is demonstrated when a CNS functions in and across all three spheres. Therefore, the role fluctuates at any given time, depending on the needs of the healthcare system, patient care unit, patient/family, or community. While the spheres intersect and overlap, the direct care sphere is the all-encompassing, overarching focus of the CNS role.

A CNS has a Masters or Doctorate Degree in Nursing from a state-approved school of nursing accredited by either the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) with a major in the clinical nursing specialty to which the nurse is assigned. A CNS has a minimum of 5 years experience, is certified in a specialty area, and is accountable for a specific patient population within a specialized program of care.

Our Team

Gena Bergvall, DNP, RN, AGACNP-BC, AGCNS-BC, ACCNS-AG, CCRN, CNRN

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Neuroscience Specialty

Gena Bergvall, DNP, RN, AGACNP-BC, AGCNS-BC, ACCNS-AG, CCRN, CNRN

Ann Peterson, PhD, RN, APRN-CNS, CMSRN

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Ann Peterson, PhD, RN, APRN-CNS, CMSRN

Steve Risch, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Oncology

Steve Risch, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN

Leslie Smith, DNP, MSN, RN, APRN-CNS, BMTCN, AOCNS

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant

Leslie Smith, DNP, MSN, RN, APRN-CNS, BMTCN, AOCNS