A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice nurse who holds either a master’s or doctoral degree in a certain area of nursing practice. Clinical nurse specialists are trusted with significant responsibilities and work in a variety of healthcare settings such as emergency units, surgery units, intensive care units (ICUs), critical care units (CCUs), etc.
Jobs and responsibilities of a CNS
According to the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), the three main areas of CNS practice, also known as the “three spheres of influence,” are:
· Patient (clinical patient care)
· Nursing personnel (teaching/training nurses and nursing research)
· Healthcare system (consulting, managing, and supervising)
The typical responsibilities of a CNS are:
· Examining and assessing patient’s medical condition and suggesting a treatment plan
· Working with fellow healthcare professionals, such as physicians and nurses, to ensure quality patient care
· Determining treatment procedures and educating the nursing staff about upcoming treatments
· Allocating the financial resources of an organization
· Keeping track of patient progress
· Training nursing staff on various nursing procedures, public health, etc.
Educational requirements to become a CNS
In order to become a CNS, the student must first be a registered nurse with at least two years of work experience. The student should then move on to earning a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited college.
Today, a large number of colleges offer a variety of master’s programs that can enable you to become a clinical nurse specialist. Colleges like Stevens-Henager Collegeoffer master’s programs in nursing administration that prepare students to take on various job roles, including clinical nurse. If you wish to find out more about the accreditation of Stevens-Henager College, read a review of the college on the Internet.
Job outlook and salary of a CNS
According to Pay Scale, a clinical nurse specialist can earn a salary of up to $58,939, depending on position, location, education, and experience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment opportunities for registered nurses should grow by 26 percent between 2010 and 2020, which is much faster than average for all occupations.
Benefits of becoming a clinical nurse specialist
Pursuing an education in nursing to become a clinical nurse specialist can have many benefits. Here is a look at some of the benefits of becoming a clinical nurse specialist:
· Clinical nurse specialists work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as emergency rooms, intensive care units, critical care facilities, etc.
· Critical nurse specialists have the option of choosing their area of specialization. They could choose to work with women’s health nursing, patients with cardiovascular diseases, oncology departments within a hospital, and much more.
· Some well-reputed schools offer nursing programs both online as well as on-campus, which gives students the flexibility to choose the type of program that is most convenient for them.
· As mentioned earlier, clinical nurse specialists are in demand, as the healthcare industry will continue to grow over the upcoming years.
· Being a clinical nurse specialist can bring you added perks and benefits such as: medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacations, retirement benefits, and more.
As is true with any healthcare related job, a career as a clinical nurse specialist can bring you the satisfaction of bringing relief to those in need.
Jobs and responsibilities of a CNS
According to the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), the three main areas of CNS practice, also known as the “three spheres of influence,” are:
· Patient (clinical patient care)
· Nursing personnel (teaching/training nurses and nursing research)
· Healthcare system (consulting, managing, and supervising)
The typical responsibilities of a CNS are:
· Examining and assessing patient’s medical condition and suggesting a treatment plan
· Working with fellow healthcare professionals, such as physicians and nurses, to ensure quality patient care
· Determining treatment procedures and educating the nursing staff about upcoming treatments
· Allocating the financial resources of an organization
· Keeping track of patient progress
· Training nursing staff on various nursing procedures, public health, etc.
Educational requirements to become a CNS
In order to become a CNS, the student must first be a registered nurse with at least two years of work experience. The student should then move on to earning a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited college.
Today, a large number of colleges offer a variety of master’s programs that can enable you to become a clinical nurse specialist. Colleges like Stevens-Henager Collegeoffer master’s programs in nursing administration that prepare students to take on various job roles, including clinical nurse. If you wish to find out more about the accreditation of Stevens-Henager College, read a review of the college on the Internet.
Job outlook and salary of a CNS
According to Pay Scale, a clinical nurse specialist can earn a salary of up to $58,939, depending on position, location, education, and experience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment opportunities for registered nurses should grow by 26 percent between 2010 and 2020, which is much faster than average for all occupations.
Benefits of becoming a clinical nurse specialist
Pursuing an education in nursing to become a clinical nurse specialist can have many benefits. Here is a look at some of the benefits of becoming a clinical nurse specialist:
· Clinical nurse specialists work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as emergency rooms, intensive care units, critical care facilities, etc.
· Critical nurse specialists have the option of choosing their area of specialization. They could choose to work with women’s health nursing, patients with cardiovascular diseases, oncology departments within a hospital, and much more.
· Some well-reputed schools offer nursing programs both online as well as on-campus, which gives students the flexibility to choose the type of program that is most convenient for them.
· As mentioned earlier, clinical nurse specialists are in demand, as the healthcare industry will continue to grow over the upcoming years.
· Being a clinical nurse specialist can bring you added perks and benefits such as: medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacations, retirement benefits, and more.
As is true with any healthcare related job, a career as a clinical nurse specialist can bring you the satisfaction of bringing relief to those in need.
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