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Clinical Nurse Specialist

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All About Clinical Nurse Specialists

Example of Clinical Nurse Specialist Job Plan, direct, or coordinate the daily patient care activities in a clinical practice. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

Life As a Clinical Nurse Specialist: What Do They Do?

  • Maintain departmental policies, procedures, objectives, or infection control standards.
  • Lead nursing department implementation of, or compliance with, regulatory or accreditation processes.
  • Monitor or evaluate medical conditions of patients in collaboration with other health care professionals.
  • Develop or assist others in development of care and treatment plans.
  • Direct or supervise nursing care staff in the provision of patient therapy.
  • Develop and maintain departmental policies, procedures, objectives, or patient care standards, based on evidence-based practice guidelines or expert opinion.

Qualities of a Clinical Nurse Specialist

Below is a list of the skills most Clinical Nurse Specialists say are important on the job.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Other Clinical Nurse Specialist Job Titles

  • Board Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist, Diabetes
  • Public Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Pediatric Oncology Nurse

Is There Job Demand for Clinical Nurse Specialists?

In the United States, there were 2,955,200 jobs for Clinical Nurse Specialist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 438,000 new jobs for Clinical Nurse Specialist by 2026. The BLS estimates 203,700 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Clinical Nurse Specialist are Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Wisconsin, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Salary

The average yearly salary of a Clinical Nurse Specialist ranges between $50,800 and $106,530.

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Clinical Nurse Specialists who work in Hawaii, California, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.

How much do Clinical Nurse Specialists make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $59,470
Alaska $89,310
Arizona $77,000
Arkansas $60,780
California $106,950
Colorado $74,240
Connecticut $81,220
Delaware $74,800
District of Columbia $92,350
Florida $66,210
Georgia $68,950
Hawaii $98,080
Idaho $67,110
Illinois $73,890
Indiana $64,860
Iowa $59,130
Kansas $61,030
Kentucky $63,100
Louisiana $63,970
Maine $67,610
Maryland $76,820
Massachusetts $92,140
Michigan $71,330
Minnesota $78,920
Mississippi $58,490
Missouri $65,130
Montana $67,450
Nebraska $64,470
Nevada $85,620
New Hampshire $72,760
New Jersey $82,750
New Mexico $71,730
New York $85,610
North Carolina $64,850
North Dakota $65,740
Ohio $66,820
Oklahoma $63,080
Oregon $91,080
Pennsylvania $70,390
Rhode Island $78,420
South Carolina $64,940
South Dakota $58,340
Tennessee $61,320
Texas $72,890
Utah $65,670
Vermont $69,160
Virginia $69,790
Washington $82,670
West Virginia $61,780
Wisconsin $71,470
Wyoming $67,360

Tools & Technologies Used by Clinical Nurse Specialists

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Clinical Nurse Specialists may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Web browser software
  • Email software
  • GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
  • Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR
  • eClinicalWorks
  • Allscripts Professional EHR
  • SOAPware EMR
  • e-MDs software
  • ChartWare EMR
  • NextGen Healthcare Information Systems EMR
  • Cerner Millennium
  • MicroFour PracticeStudio.NET EMR
  • SynaMed EMR
  • Texas Medical Software SpringCharts EMR
  • Amkai AmkaiCharts
  • Medscribbler Enterprise

How do I Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist?

Learn what Clinical Nurse Specialist education requirements there are.

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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