How To Become A Clinical Nurse Specialist
A clinical nurse specialist carries far more responsibilities than does a Registered Nurse. With a master’s degree in nursing, or even a doctoral degree, a clinical nurse specialist is able to perform many of the same medical duties that a doctor does. You can find clinical nurse specialists in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, and public health facilities, as well as in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, child welfare offices, and home health care agencies. In fact, some CNS’s will even go in to private practice. If you are considering a career as a CNS, your place of employment will very much depend on what specialty you choose to pursue.
Responsibilities And Duties of A Clinical Nurse Specialist
The duties you would take on as a clinical nurse specialist will vary depending on your chosen area of specialty. Gynecological exams and wellness exams, making treatment recommendations, referring patients to specialists, ordering laboratory tests, and counseling families may all fall under the scope of a CNS. You may even specialize in the field of child or adult psychology. Because a CNS has an advanced degree in nursing and additional clinical experience, he or she is able to take on greater responsibility and enjoy greater autonomy than registered nurses are.
Often clinical nurse specialists are supervisors of other members of the nursing staff. In fact, a clinical nurse specialist may serve as an administrator over all staff besides the physicians in a hospital, clinic, or medical office. If you would like to move your career in a managerial direction, you can do so by pursuing an advanced degree and a career as a clinical nurse specialist.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Education
If you are already a registered nurse, you already hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing. If you wish to advance in your career to become a clinical nurse specialist, you will need to find an Advanced Practice Nurse Program, and then go on to obtain an master’s or even a doctoral degree in nursing as well. Every master’s level program involves certain general nursing classes; beyond that, you will be able to steer your class options toward your area of specialization. If you are interested in family practice or general medicine, you will want to complete a general course of study that encompasses an array of topics.
Once you have completed the course work for your master’s degree, you will need to write at thesis, which should be relevant to your chosen specialty, and then you will be required to complete multiple clinical placements. If you choose to advance to a doctoral degree, a dissertation will be required, and additional clinical hours. This higher degree is a good idea if you are interested in working in a very specific area of the medical field, such as child oncology or cardiovascular health.
Finally, becoming certified is the final step before you can be offered employment. There is a test devised and evaluated by the American Nurses Credential Center; once you have passed it, you will be licensed. You must renew your license every five years.
The Advantages To Pursuing An Advanced Nursing Degree
The job outlook is very positive for clinical nurse specialists, even on a long range basis. As the costs of medical care continue to soar, the need for nurses with advanced degrees from one of the Nurse Practitioner Schools In California who can take on some or all of the duties of doctors continues to grow as well. The average salary of a general clinical nurse specialist is around $81,000, but it can be higher depending on your area of specialization and your geographical region. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts this average salary will increase by at least 22% over the next ten years. Additionally, there is a shortage of these highly educated nurses, as well as the Family Nurse Practitioner field, making it easy to find a position once you have become certified.
A Personal Profile Of A Clinical Nurse Specialist
There are many different characteristics that can help you become a successful clinical nurse specialist. The first is a passion for being a nurse, and for helping your patients live healthy lives. All clinical nurse specialists must have excellent communication skills and be very organized. You will have to communicate with patients, families, physicians, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, and so on.
You do not have to desire a managerial position in order to be a successful CNS. This is only one direction your career may take. Some clinical nurse specialists aspire to be supervisors or administrators, and getting that advanced degree and certification is a great way to reach that goal. However, many others obtain that graduate degree in order to enjoy a greater degree of autonomy on the job and to be able to treat patients from diagnosis to treatment, and beyond. Whichever direction you choose, you are certain to find a rewarding and lucrative career in the specialty of your choice.