Of the many careers in the medical field to consider, many find the Clinical Nurse Specialist, or CNS, position to be something that is very fulfilling professionally.  This can be a very versatile position, making it great for people looking to get into the medical field anywhere in the world.

Overview

A clinical nurse specialist is someone with a nursing degree that also holds a master’s or doctoral degree in a specialist area of nursing.  For instance, the individual may have clinical expertise and advanced training in:

  •  Pediatrics
  •  Geriatrics
  •  Women’s Health
  •  Critical Care
  •  Emergency Care
  •  Diabetes
  •  Oncology
  •  Psychiatry
  •  Rehabilitation

This is just a short list of the specialized education that nurses can receive to become a clinical nurse specialist.  A clinical nurse specialist is different from a typical nursing job because they are able to diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and disabilities within their field of study. In addition, a clinical nurse specialist is able to provide patients with direct care and even consult with nursing staff, and get involved with improving health care in their local area.

Working Conditions

The great thing about being a Clinical Nurse Specialist is that you can work in a variety of settings.  Currently there are about 70,000 people who hold this title in the United States, all of which are practicing in varying areas in the health care system.  The salaries have a wide range with the bottom end being around $50,000 with an ability to earn more than $100,000 per year.  The job market for those who hold this title is very stable and their abilities in every area of expertise are in demand.

Academic Requirements

To become a Clinical Nurse Specialist you have to already be a registered nurse.  At that point, one can enter a clinical nurse specialist program.  Once the nurse has completed his or her CNS program, some specialties may require that a certification exam is taken, although this is not the case for all specialties.  In order to practice as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, one must become certified by their state licensing board.