Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Career
What Do You Do In This Career?
Clinical Nurse Specialists work in clinical or hospital settings to streamline the treatment process for patients and families. In an increasingly complex health care setting, it is important to have knowledgeable, authoritative workers in every facet of the industry.
CNSs typically specialize in one area of nursing practice. They work with patients, but also take leadership roles and try to mold the system to be more user-friendly and effective in treating patients while keeping costs down. The ability to observe and influence the nursing system from the patient level all the way up to an institutional level is crucial for CNSs.
Salary and Career Information
- Salary: CNSs earn between $62,985 and $106,133 annually.
- CNS Requirements: To practice as a CNS you must earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree and be eligible to practice as a registered nurse. Then, you must complete a Master of Science in nursing, with an emphasis in clinical practice, and become certified at the state or national level. CNSs typically get some years of experience as an RN between achieving their bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
- Work Environment: CNSs often work in a clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital, usually with other nurses in different specialties to provide holistic care for patients and families. CNSs may spend long hours on their feet and be involved in various aspects of a clinic’s operations, from treating patients to managing medical data and records and developing new workflows to increase the efficiency and decrease the expenses of the facility.
What Kind of Coursework Can You Expect In This Program?
CNS programs are highly focused on teaching evidence based treatment and system implementation. Courses in research, direct clinical practice, and team leadership, as well as courses relating to a medical specialty, will comprise most of a CNS degree program. As with all nursing careers, ethical decision making is a crucial skill, and the core ethics of medical practice will be woven throughout classes and practical experience for CNSs in training. Classes also prepare students to coach new nurses and how to establish a strong working culture.
Earn an Online Nurse Practitioner Degree
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who holds a graduate-level degree. While in most states RNs currently need only a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) degree to become nurse practitioners, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has proposed that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) be the minimum requirement for all advanced practice nurses by 2015. Listed below are the best online colleges offering accredited MSN and DNP degrees.
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Georgetown University — The Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies offers two online Master of Science in nursing degrees. The MS in family nurse practitioner program prepares students for careers as family nurses. The MS in midwifery / women's health nurse practitioner program perpares students for careers as nurse practitioners who specialize as midwives and caring for female patients. |
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Kaplan University — The MSN nurse administration, nurse education, and nurse informatics degree programs from Kaplan allows nurses with bachelor's degrees to take their careers to the next level. Students of these programs will learn advanced nursing theory, health policy, evidence-based decision making, financing, and more. |
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University of Phoenix — The Master of Science in nursing for nurse practitioners from the University of Phoenix is a flexible online program from an accredited school. Students will learn advanced nursing skills, finance, change management, and evidence-based nursing research. Upon completion, graduates will be well prepared to advance their nursing careers. MSN specialties are offered in health education and health informatics. Dual degrees (MSN + MBA and MSN + MHA) are also available. |
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American Sentinel University — American Sentinel University offers a basic RN to MSN degree, as well as several specializations within this program, including case management, infection prevention and control, management and organizational leadership, and nursing informatics. Graduates of these programs will all have a fundamental understanding of health and illness and will be able to provide direct care to individuals, families, and groups with a variety of health needs. |
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University of Cincinnati — The MS in nursing degree program with a specialization in women's health practice offered online by the University of Cincinnati is geared toward nursing students wanting to receive expert training on women's health issues. Cincinnati also offers many other nurse practitioner degree programs, including MSN specialties in clinical nursing, nurse midwifery, and psychiatric & mental health nursing. |
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