Medical Career Training
Call TOLL FREE: 877-207-1607
 
CNA Nursing
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Emergency Room Nurse
Forensic Nursing
Geriatric Nursing
Home RN
Hospital RN
Legal Nurse Consultant
LPN Licensed Practical Nurse
LVN Licensed Vocational Nurse
Neonatal Nurse
Midwife Nurse
Health Nurse Practitioner
Oncology Nursing
OR Nursing
Parish Nurse
Pediatric Nurse
Psychiatric Nurse
Registered Nurse (RN)
Trauma Nurse
Traveling Nurse


Clinical Nurse Specialist

See Available Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools

Job Description:

A clinical nurse specialist is a skilled healthcare professional that perform versatile functions. Moreover, they assume general duties that give emphasis on:

  • clinical practice
  • researching
  • teaching
  • consulting
  • management

The role of clinical nurse specialist professionals goes beyond the basic patient care. In fact, they are deeply involved in increasing the effectiveness of the healthcare system. Aside from that, they can specialize in a particular type of disease (i.e. diabetes, cardiovascular disorders), and they are also capable of working in different health care environments.

Some of the important responsibilities of clinical nurse specialist professionals include the following:

  • evaluate, consult, and educate healthcare staff under their respective departments
  • oversee all healthcare duties to prevent the possibility of medical errors
  • enlighten patients about the importance of compliance and appropriate lifestyle modification
  • assess and develop effective solutions for the problems of various patients
  • take over research and educational functions to ascertain that patients are given the best possible care

Work Environment:

Clinical nurse specialist professionals are usually employed in hospitals, urgent care clinics, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. They have a very flexible work schedule, and are given the opportunity to choose a specific area of focus whether on medical research or direct patient care.

Clinical nurse specialist professionals are exposed in an environment wherein quality patient care is an important concern. That being said, they really have to be highly skilled and experienced in order to perform their duties effectively.

Education and Training Requirements:

Since CNS is considered as an advanced type of nursing profession, it is critical that clinical nurse specialist aspirants earn a master's degree. Getting formal education and training from accredited universities and colleges is essential to ensure that aspirants will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to become an effective clinical nurse specialist.

CNS graduates are required to take licensure exam in the state where they wish to practice their profession in order to become certified. It is also highly advised that they supplement their knowledge by participating in additional trainings to keep up with the changing medical trends. Most importantly, they have to satisfy continuing educational requirements in order to keep their license up-to-date.

Salary Range:

The income wages of clinical nurse specialist professional are greatly affected by their geographical location, area of specialization and years of experience. The usual salary range of clinical nurse specialist professionals falls around $53,468 - $88,224 annually. Meanwhile, those who have obtained higher educational degrees and participated in supplemental trainings typically receive annual earnings of more than $94,287.

Job Outlook:

Employment outlook for clinical nurse specialist professionals is very promising. This is because the growing number of the aging population and the continuous expansion of the healthcare industry will prompt more job openings for certified clinical nurse specialist professionals.

Stop wasting time and start your training today by sifting through our comprehensive list of clinical nurse specialist schools!

Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools:

Online
University of Phoenix Online - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, MS in Nursing, Master of Health Administration
Kaplan University - BS in Nursing, Continuing Education in Legal Nurse Consulting, Forensic Nursing, Life Care Planning, and Case Management
Walden University - Master of Science in Nursing

Arizona
University of Phoenix - Phoenix - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Phoenix - Ft. Huachuca / Southern Arizona - BS in Nursing (RN Required), Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN, MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Informatics Certificate, School Nurse Certificate
University of Phoenix - Tucson / Southern Arizona - Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN, BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

California
Everest College - Anaheim - Vocational Nursing
Career Networks Institute - Costa Mesa - Vocational Nursing
Maric College - Vista / North County , San Diego - Certificate: Vocational Nursing, Certificate: Nurse Assistant Training Program
University of Phoenix - Fresno / Central Valley - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Southern California - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Phoenix - Sacramento - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Phoenix - San Diego - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/MBA/Health Care Management
University of Phoenix - San Francisco - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
West Coast University - Los Angeles - Associate: Nursing

Colorado
University of Phoenix - Aurora - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Colorado Springs * - Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN, BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Connecticut
Lincoln Technical Institute - Hamden , New Britain - Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)

Florida
Angley College - DeLand - Nursing Assistant
Keiser College - Kendall , Lakeland , Melbourne , Sarasota , Tallahassee , West Palm Beach - Nursing
University of Phoenix - Orlando - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Jacksonville - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Fort Lauderdale - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Tampa - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
Virginia College - Pensacola - Practical Nursing (Diploma)

Georgia
University of Phoenix - Atlanta - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Columbus * - MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Hawaii
University of Phoenix - Honolulu - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Iowa
Hamilton College - Cedar Falls , Cedar Rapids , Des Moines , Mason City - Practical Nursing
Kaplan University - Davenport - Nursing

Louisiana
University of Phoenix - Baton Rouge - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Michigan
Everest Institute - Grand Rapids - Practical Nurse
University of Phoenix - Detroit - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Grand Rapids - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Portage / West Michigan - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Missouri
Sanford-Brown College - St. Charles - Diploma in Practical Nursing, Associate in Nursing

Nebraska
Hamilton College - Lincoln , Omaha - Practical Nursing

New Jersey
CDM Institute - Wayne - Nurses Aid

New Mexico
University of Phoenix - Albuquerque - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Ohio
University of Phoenix - Cleveland - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Oklahoma
University of Phoenix - Oklahoma City - BS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Tulsa - BS in Nursing (RN Required)

Texas
Texas Careers - San Antonio - Nurse's Aide, Vocational Nursing

Utah
University of Phoenix - Salt Lake City - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
Utah Career College - West Jordan - Nursing

Virginia
ECPI - Newport News , Northern Virginia , Manassas , Glen Allen , Roanoke - Practical Nursing
Medical Careers Institute - Virginia Beach , Richmond , Newport News - Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing

* Program Availability Varies By Location and Often Changes. To get the most up-to-date information, use the links we provide to request additional information from a local campus representative.