What Does a Clinical Nurse Specialist Do?
CNSs provide patient care in a specialty area, including adult-gerontology, family practice, neonatal, pediatrics, psychiatric mental health, and women's health. They collaborate with other nurses and medical staff, serving largely in leadership roles such as nurse educators, researchers, advisors, and policy advocates.
CNSs often perform the following responsibilities:
Primary Responsibilities
- Providing or assisting with direct patient care
- Teaching nurses and staff
- Leading evidence-based practice projects
- Educating patients and their families and community members
- Precepting nursing students
- Conducting or assisting with research
Key Skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication and critical thinking skills
- Compassion
- Leadership
- Resourcefulness
Where Do Clinical Nurse Specialists Work?
More than a third of CNSs work in hospitals with acute care patients, nearly 30% find employment in academic health centers, and 10% choose nursing education in academia. The list below highlights typical roles and responsibilities.
Hospital – Acute Care CNSs direct patient care, manage acute care and improvement, and supervise and educate nursing staff.
Academic Health Center – Acute Care CNSs provide acute care consultation, implement evidence-based practice, and evaluate nursing students.
Nursing Education – Academia CNSs lecture and instruct courses, design curriculum, and conduct research on best practices.
What Is the Difference Between a Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Nurse Practitioner?
While their duties may overlap, the differences between CNSs and nurse practitioners (NPs) lie in their practice focuses. Generally, NPs work on teams of healthcare providers to perform advanced nursing care. CNSs manage, educate, and facilitate safe and optimal practices within healthcare systems. In some states, CNSs can practice and prescribe independently.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nurse Practitioner
How to Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist
The steps listed below outline the process to become a CNS. Although a master of science in nursing (MSN) is the current minimum degree, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) endorses a shift to the DNP by 2030.
How Much Do Clinical Nurse Specialists Make?
PayScale lists the average base salary for CNSs as $105,993 per year. Bonuses and other benefits, if offered, bring the total pay amount to $71,000-$143,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary of $223,210 for APRNs and references CNSs as being equivalent to APRNs.
Location impacts salaries. According to PayScale, CNSs in San Francisco earn 37% more than the U.S. average, followed by Los Angeles (15% more) and Seattle (14% more). However, Milwaukee CNSs make 21% less than the national average.
Resources for Clinical Nurse Specialists
Frequently Asked Questions About Clinical Nurse Specialists
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