Description

Join us for a Lunch and Learn on October 28!

What exactly is a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and how does this advanced practice role differ from other APRN roles? And how does a CNS make an impact beyond direct patient care?

Join us for an engaging look at the CNS role and the breadth of its impact across patients, nursing practice, and healthcare systems. Explore what sets the CNS apart, how scope of practice and regulation shape the role, and why role clarity and recognition matter.

Whether you are a nurse curious about the CNS role, work alongside CNSs, or are looking for ways to strengthen the role within your organization, this webinar will provide a practical introduction to the expertise, influence, and opportunities that define the Clinical Nurse Specialist. We hope you can join us!

When: Thursday, October 28, 2026 at 12:00 PM Central
Where: Live via Zoom
Cost: NNA Members FREE  |  Non Members $25.00
Contact Hours: 0.75

Presentation Title: What is a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)?

Presenters: 

Gina Crudden DNP, APRN-CNS, ACCNS-AG, CMSRN, FCNS, CDP
Assistant Professor & Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nebraska Methodist College & Methodist Health System

Dr. Gina Crudden is an Assistant Professor and Adult-Gerontology Curriculum Coordinator for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health. She is a board-certified as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist and in Medical-Surgical Nursing, is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and is a Fellow of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Institute. She has more than 20 years of combined nursing experience spanning acute care, oncology, medical-surgical nursing, geriatrics, leadership, nursing professional development, and higher education. Her career in healthcare began as a certified nursing assistant while still in high school, providing the foundation for her continued commitment to nursing practice, education, and leadership.

Dr. Crudden earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Nebraska Methodist College, Master of Science in Nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Associate Degree in Nursing from Oklahoma City Community College, and Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her educational journey from CNA through doctoral preparation reflects her longstanding commitment to nursing practice, education, and professional development. In addition to her academic role, Dr. Crudden serves part-time at Methodist Hospital as the Geriatric Surgery Verification Program Coordinator, supporting efforts to advance high-quality, age-friendly surgical care for older adults. She also serves as the APRN Clinical Nurse Specialist representative on the Nebraska Board of Nursing, contributing to nursing regulation and the advancement of APRN and CNS practice across the state.

Dr. Crudden is Chair of the Nebraska Clinical Nurse Specialist (NECNS) Mutual Interest Group (MIG) of the Nebraska Nurses Association (NNA) and Chair of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) Membership, Community, and Engagement Committee. An active member of NACNS since she was a CNS student, she has served as both Chair and Co-Chair of the Affiliate Advisory Committee and is a current member of the Program Directors Advisory Group. She is also serving her second year on the NACNS Nominating Committee. Through these leadership roles, she is committed to advancing the Clinical Nurse Specialist profession through education, advocacy, leadership development, and national collaboration.

Her professional interests include geriatric care, nursing education, evidence-based practice, veterans and rural health, quality improvement, and mentoring future Clinical Nurse Specialists and advanced practice nurses.

Christina Vejnovich DNP, APRN-CNS, AGCNS-BC, CDP, CADDCT, PCCN-K
Adjunct Faculty & Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nebraska Methodist College & Nebraska Methodist Hospital

Dr. Christina Vejnovich is a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist at Nebraska Methodist Hospital as well as an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Nebraska Methodist College. Dr. Vejnovich is committed to advancing geriatric nursing practice through education, research, and mentorship. Her scholarly work encompasses the generation and translation of evidence related to workplace violence prevention in acute care hospitals and the application of person-centered de-escalation interventions for behavioral expressions associated with dementia and delirium. Through research, publication, and implementation science methodologies, she contributes to advancing best practices that promote safety, quality, and compassionate care across healthcare settings.

Dr. Vejnovich provides strategic clinical expertise to support the system-wide implementation, advancement, and sustainability of Age-Friendly Health System initiatives as well as co-coordinates AgeWISE, the only remaining Geropalliative Care Nurse Residency Program in the country. She also serves as the NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) Program Coordinator at Methodist Hospital and is an active member of the organization's Workplace Violence Steering Committee. In addition, she provides clinical support for both the Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit and the Medical Observation Unit at Methodist Hospital. She holds certification as a Dementia Practitioner and as a Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainer, reflecting her expertise in evidence-based dementia care and gerontological nursing practice.

Dr. Vejnovich is the co-chair of the Nebraska Clinical Nurse Specialist (NECNS) Mutual Interest Group (MIG) of the Nebraska Nurses Association. She is also a member of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA), the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) where she serves on the nominating committee, the American Nurses Association, the Nebraska Nurses Association, and is the Vice President of Sigma Theta Tau International-Tau Tau Chapter.  She also serves as a member of the Aging with Spirit Board for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, contributing to initiatives that support the health, well-being, and quality of life of older adults within the community.

We look forward to connecting with you on October 28!

REGISTER NOW by clicking on the Register>> button on this page

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 25, 2026

DISCLOSURES

Contact Hours - Participants meeting the successful completion requirements will receive 0.75 contact hours. 

Successful Completion Requirements - Learners are required to participate in the entire webinar and complete the online evaluation upon conclusion of the webinar in order to receive a certificate of completion.

ACCREDITATION

VTL Center for Professional Development is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

What is VTL Center for Professional Development? The Kansas State Nurses Association, Missouri Nurses Association and Nebraska Nurses Association formed a collaborative, namely the Midwest Multistate Division (Midwest MSD), which was renamed VTL Solutions in 2025, with the goal of promoting efficiencies and growth. As part of this collaborative, the VTL Center for Professional Development was formed, which is accredited as an ANCC approver and provider of NCPD, to address the educational needs of nurses we serve.

Questions? Please contact events@vtls.org with any questions.