Managing the evidence: the context and processes of information use by clinical nurse specialists

Information need and use literature relating to nurses has tended to treat them as a homogeneous group without distinguishing their role or contribution to service delivery. Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) operate across the whole range of nursing specialisms and their role includes advanced clinical care, education, research, consultation and facilitation of change. They are relatively autonomous in their practice and are able to exert considerable influence on nursing activities. The purpose of this research is to examine the advanced practice role, the social and organisational frameworks within which CNSs operate and the inter-relationship of these with information use. [Continues.]