In the late 1980's, the Indiana University School of Nursing Program sponsored a 3 day national conference titled Strategies for Cost Effective Patient Care through Clinical Nurse Specialists. The conference became a biannual event and continued the theme of CNS care from 1990-1996, attracting Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Educators and Nurse Administrators both nationally and internationally.

The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) was an outgrowth of the spirit and commitment of the regular attendees of this conference over a 6-year period. In the fall of 1995, the official launch meeting was held in Indianapolis during an off year for the educational conference. Forty percent of the regular attendees committed to participating in this meeting to establish the by-laws and appoint the first Board of Directors. In 18 months, the membership of this organization grew from the original 67 to 530. Today, NACNS has grown to 2500 members.