Clinical Nurse Specialists
Learn about the Steps to Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist
Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) are advanced practice nurses with a graduate degree in a specific area of expertise. This expertise might be in a specific patient population, a specific setting (e.g., the emergency room), a disease or illness, a type of care (e.g., psychiatric), or a type of health problem (e.g., stress). Clinical nurse specialists diagnose and treat illnesses, diseases, and injuries, and recommend ways to improve overall health care delivery systems.
Preparation Path
Attain a BSN
Pass the NCLEX and become an RN
Get your MSN with emphasis on a CNS specialty
Get CNS certification
Participate in ongoing education in your specialty area
Typical Tasks
- Monitoring and evaluating patients’ needs
- Administering medication
- Setting up treatment plans for patients within a certain specialty
- Implementing orientation programs and ongoing education/training for nursing staffs
Employment Settings
- Hospitals (public and private)
- Physicians’ offices
- Nursing care facilities
- Individual patients’ homes
Annual Salary Range
$100,561 – $121,821
Certification
RN, plus CNS certification in your specialty of choice
Education Requirements
BSN, followed by MSN
