What does a Clinical Nurse Specialist do?

Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) provide care to patients in one of many specialties, such as geriatrics, pediatrics, oncology, and emergency care, to name a few. When working directly with patients, they implement treatment plans in order to find a solution to medical or psychiatric issues.

Clinical nurse specialists may also work as consultants by helping other health professionals to improve patient care. These nurses play a leading role in developing guidelines and protocols, providing support and consultation, facilitating system change, and promoting the use of evidence.

Clinical nurse specialists engage in three domains of practice:

Patient/Client
The clinical nurse specialist engages directly with patients in a variety of settings, including private practice, acute care, or community clinics. They often work with other nurses and help to modify a plan of care to comply with evidence-based recommendations.

Nurses/Nursing
Clinical nurse specialists use evidence-based practices within the daily operations of the nursing professionals. They bridge the gap between everyday clinical practice and state-of-the-art science by taking research and utilizing it practically. Instead of resorting to habit or tradition, the clinical nurse specialist mentors nurses and helps them to start using practices based on the latest scientific research and serves as an advocate for positive change.

System/Organizational
As the complexity and cost of the health care system continues to increase, clinical nurse specialists work to influence the future of healthcare as a whole. They provide a cost-benefit analysis of new medical products, interventions, and programs, and analyze preventative protocols that can reduce costs to both patients and their payers (be it Medicare or insurance providers).

Some daily responsibilities of clinical nurse specialists may include:

• Observing the patient's condition and diagnosing problems/illnesses
• Ordering medical tests and evaluating results
• Treating diseases, injuries, and disabilities within their area of expertise
• Advising nurses and other medical staff on patient care issues
• Promoting disease prevention and wellness
• Conducting research to further knowledge about their area of specialty
• Conducting physical exams

Areas of specialization for clinical nurse specialists:

• Adult Health
• Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health
• Child/Adolescent Psychological and Mental Health
• Diabetes Management
• Gerontology
• Home Health
• Pediatrics
• Public and Community Health

As the need for highly skilled healthcare workers continues to grow, employers are often looking for the expertise that trained clinical nurse specialists have to offer. Their knowledge and judgment assists with providing quality patient care by holding others accountable for maintaining high standards.

Clinical nurse specialists work in inpatient hospital settings, physician's offices, outpatient care centres, colleges and universities, community centres, laboratories, and other health services offices and facilities.

• 

  Interview with Stephen Patten, President of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lud3A8brTCA

• 

  Macmillan Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist - Ruth Thompson

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYD9IoZ_WXk

• 

  School of Nursing - Clinical Nurse Specialist - Kristin Dixon

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8B5BX25iqw

• 

  Wayne Quashie, Clinical Nurse Specialist

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jUBG_le2Xg

• 

  Clinical Nurse Specialists | IU Health

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeRPuo7ai50

• Clinical Nurse Leaders and Clinical Nurse Specialists: Harmonious Partners www.americannursetoday.com

  Nursing is an ever-changing and ever-evolving profession. There seems to always be a need for more nurses, whether it be registered nurses caring for patients in a variety of settings, educators facilitating the growth of our future nursing professionals, or advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) improving the care of our diverse population.

• So You Want to Be a Clinical Nurse Specialist? Choose the Right Program www.medscape.com

  The knowledge and competencies required for this role include advanced clinical expertise, leadership, application of best evidence, collaboration, coaching, and the ability to implement change.

• Nurse Practitioner vs. Clinical Nurse Specialist www.nursepractitionerschools.com

  Aspiring nurses may be easily confounded by the variety of roles that are available to them. For instance, both Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists work closely with patients, are highly educated, and can earn enticing salaries. How is a young nurse to know which path is right?

• 

  Genomics Technician

• 

  Nurse

• 

  Nuclear Medicine Technologist

• 

  Clinical Psychologist

• 

  Psychologist

• 

  Ophthalmic Medical Technologist

• 

  Medical Assistant

• 

  Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician

• 

  Licensed Practical Nurse

• 

  Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

• 

  Community Health Worker

• 

  Veterinary Technologist

• 

  Physical Therapist

• 

  Personal Care Aide