would never attempt to direct the managerial aspects for care, not having had the requisite academic preparation. My preparation as a CNS focused on the clinical aspects of Geriatric care and on case management, bioethics, nursing theory and research. A thesis was required of all candidates. I was ill-prepared as a consultant or manager, expect in case management. Graduate CNS programs differ in their curricula. The point here is that we are all “imposters” if we are so arrogant as to profess that we are experts in every content area unless our experiences have been so comprehensive. As a nurse and as an individual, I believe all of us need to respect and trust each other and regard each other as colleagues striving to achieve mutual goals for our patients. Until we are able to do that, we will continue to “eat our young,” even before some of them have hatched!
John C. Woody, RN,M S , CS Alpha Gamma Long Beach, CA
To the Editor: I am writing to express my concern and disappointment regarding the article by Arena and Page (“The Imposter Phenomenon in the Clinical Nurse Specialist Role,” Summer, 1992). The article did little to add to the body of knowledge available to clinical nurse specialists and did much to tarnish the professional image of an exceptional group of advanced practice nurses. The “imposter phenomenon” is not unique to the clinical specialist role, advanced practice nursing, nor even nursing in general. The idea that clinical specialists use ‘‘charm, friendliness, looks, humor, sexuality, and astute perceptiveness to win the approval of superiors” is absurd. The imposter phenomenon belongs in the psychology and sociology literature, as the authors point out it has been. It does not belong in the nursing literature associated with such an achieving and leading groups as are clinical specialists. Please note that there was no research evidence in this article to support that clinical specialists in any number experience this phenomenon, much less a great number. Let me also remind the authors that while they stated other master’s prepared nurses are hired as clinical specialists, the title “clinical nurse specialist” is not a job title, but rather one which has been attained by receiving a master’s in nursing in a clinical specialty area. Anyone who has graduated with a master’s in administration, for instance, and takes a position which was designed for a clinical nurse specialist should feel like an imposter. The problem here rests not with the role, but with the unqualified people assuming the role. Without research to support that this phenomenon exists within nursing and with clinical nurse specialists in particular, this article did not belong in the literature. The difference between a learning curve of any new nursing graduate at any level has been confused with feelings of being an imposter. As the authors conclude, the Volume 24, Number 3, Fall 1992
phenomenon may affect other roles, but investigation is warranted, not “may be warranted” before such information appears in the literature unsupported.
M.K. Gaedeke Norris, RN, MSN, CCRN Clinical Nurse Specialist The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Buffalo, NY
The Authors respond: Although we expected our article on the Imposter Phenomenon to spur scholarly debate and controversy we do notfeel we have in any way, “tarnishedtheprofessionalimage of advancedpracticenurses.” On the contrary, we are strong advocates of both the nursing profession and the CNS role, attempting to deal with our perception of the realities of CNS practice. We were also alerting other CNSs to feelings that may occur during role implementation, in an effort to potentially avoid their exodusfrom this vital position. We do agree with Ms.Norris that the Imposter Phenomenon is not unique to the CNS role. It effects many professional people. The characteristics of “charm,friendliness, looks, humor, sexuality and astute perceptiveness... was a quote in the literature review from Clance and Imes (1978), the originators of the concept. Wepropose that these traits are neutral human characteristics used by all people at some time or another. To deny that nurses use at least some of these traits seems slightly unrealistic. Nursing has always drawnfrom the body of literature and knowledge base of other disciplines including psychology, sociology and medicine. We believe that there are no “sacred cows,” and that controversy fosters discussion and debate which ofien lead to research and change. To avoid an issue because it originates in another field would seriously limit the growth of nursing as a profession. This article was an exploratory effort to see if seasoned CNS colleagues shared ourfeelings or if we were alone in our sentiments. rfwe were alone, thenfiture research would not be indicated. Since we are both experienced CNSs, Ms.Norris ’s suggestion that these emotions relate to a new graduate’s learning curve rather than feelings of imposture is inapplicable, at least to us. Since IMAGE provides a forumfor literature review and discursive pieces, as well as completed research, we felt it was an appropriate vehicle to attempt to validate our feelings and beginformulating the research question. From the responses we received there is now evidence that some CNSs do relate to the phenomenon indicating that immediate research is necessary. We appreciate the feedback and the opportunity to dialogue with colleagues who could identify with the phenomenon, as well as with those who could not. We have certainly broadened our perspective on the topic and we welcome continued critique. ”
Donna M. Arena, MS, RN Nancy E. Page, MS,RN 241
John C. Woody, RN,M S , CS Alpha Gamma Long Beach, CA
To the Editor: I am writing to express my concern and disappointment regarding the article by Arena and Page (“The Imposter Phenomenon in the Clinical Nurse Specialist Role,” Summer, 1992). The article did little to add to the body of knowledge available to clinical nurse specialists and did much to tarnish the professional image of an exceptional group of advanced practice nurses. The “imposter phenomenon” is not unique to the clinical specialist role, advanced practice nursing, nor even nursing in general. The idea that clinical specialists use ‘‘charm, friendliness, looks, humor, sexuality, and astute perceptiveness to win the approval of superiors” is absurd. The imposter phenomenon belongs in the psychology and sociology literature, as the authors point out it has been. It does not belong in the nursing literature associated with such an achieving and leading groups as are clinical specialists. Please note that there was no research evidence in this article to support that clinical specialists in any number experience this phenomenon, much less a great number. Let me also remind the authors that while they stated other master’s prepared nurses are hired as clinical specialists, the title “clinical nurse specialist” is not a job title, but rather one which has been attained by receiving a master’s in nursing in a clinical specialty area. Anyone who has graduated with a master’s in administration, for instance, and takes a position which was designed for a clinical nurse specialist should feel like an imposter. The problem here rests not with the role, but with the unqualified people assuming the role. Without research to support that this phenomenon exists within nursing and with clinical nurse specialists in particular, this article did not belong in the literature. The difference between a learning curve of any new nursing graduate at any level has been confused with feelings of being an imposter. As the authors conclude, the Volume 24, Number 3, Fall 1992
phenomenon may affect other roles, but investigation is warranted, not “may be warranted” before such information appears in the literature unsupported.
M.K. Gaedeke Norris, RN, MSN, CCRN Clinical Nurse Specialist The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Buffalo, NY
The Authors respond: Although we expected our article on the Imposter Phenomenon to spur scholarly debate and controversy we do notfeel we have in any way, “tarnishedtheprofessionalimage of advancedpracticenurses.” On the contrary, we are strong advocates of both the nursing profession and the CNS role, attempting to deal with our perception of the realities of CNS practice. We were also alerting other CNSs to feelings that may occur during role implementation, in an effort to potentially avoid their exodusfrom this vital position. We do agree with Ms.Norris that the Imposter Phenomenon is not unique to the CNS role. It effects many professional people. The characteristics of “charm,friendliness, looks, humor, sexuality and astute perceptiveness... was a quote in the literature review from Clance and Imes (1978), the originators of the concept. Wepropose that these traits are neutral human characteristics used by all people at some time or another. To deny that nurses use at least some of these traits seems slightly unrealistic. Nursing has always drawnfrom the body of literature and knowledge base of other disciplines including psychology, sociology and medicine. We believe that there are no “sacred cows,” and that controversy fosters discussion and debate which ofien lead to research and change. To avoid an issue because it originates in another field would seriously limit the growth of nursing as a profession. This article was an exploratory effort to see if seasoned CNS colleagues shared ourfeelings or if we were alone in our sentiments. rfwe were alone, thenfiture research would not be indicated. Since we are both experienced CNSs, Ms.Norris ’s suggestion that these emotions relate to a new graduate’s learning curve rather than feelings of imposture is inapplicable, at least to us. Since IMAGE provides a forumfor literature review and discursive pieces, as well as completed research, we felt it was an appropriate vehicle to attempt to validate our feelings and beginformulating the research question. From the responses we received there is now evidence that some CNSs do relate to the phenomenon indicating that immediate research is necessary. We appreciate the feedback and the opportunity to dialogue with colleagues who could identify with the phenomenon, as well as with those who could not. We have certainly broadened our perspective on the topic and we welcome continued critique. ”
Donna M. Arena, MS, RN Nancy E. Page, MS,RN 241
