Career Profile: Clinical Nurse Specialist

Nurse Anesthesiologist

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!

View the featured schools in your state. Click a state below:

Online / Arizona / California / Colorado / Connecticut /Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Iowa / Louisiana / Michigan / Missouri / Nebraska / New Jersey / New Mexico / Ohio / Oklahoma/Texas / Utah / Virginia
 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 Schools
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 Schools
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 Schools
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 Schools
Lincoln Technical Institute Hamden , New Britain - Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
 Flordia Schools
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 Schools
University of Phoenix Atlanta - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required
University of Phoenix Columbus * - MS in Nursing (RN Required)
 Hawaii Schools
University of Phoenix Honolulu - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
 Iowa Schools
Hamilton College Cedar Falls , Cedar Rapids , Des Moines , Mason City - Practical Nursing
Kaplan University Davenport - Nursing
 Louisiana Schools
University of Phoenix Baton Rouge - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
 Michigan Schools
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 Schools
Sanford-BrownCollege St. Charles - Diploma in Practical Nursing, Associate in Nursing
 Nebraska Schools
Hamilton College Lincoln , Omaha - Practical Nursing
 New Jersey Schools
CDM Institute Wayne - Nurses Aid
 New Mexico Schools
University of Phoenix Albuquerque - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
 Ohio Schools
University of Phoenix Cleveland - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
 Oklahoma Schools
University of Phoenix Oklahoma City - BS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix Tulsa - BS in Nursing (RN Required)
 Texas Schools
Texas Careers San Antonio - Nurse's Aide, Vocational Nursing
 Utah Schools
University of Phoenix Salt Lake City - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
Utah Career College West Jordan - Nursing
 Virginia Schools
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.