How to Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist in 3 Steps
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are leaders in the nursing profession and healthcare. CNS professionals are widely accepted as nursing experts. They have advanced training and education in assessment, pharmacology, and physiology. Clinical nurse specialists are integral to many organizations because they promote effective, safe, low-cost, evidence-based healthcare services. For over 60 years, roles for CNSs have grown. Most states now offer fully accredited specialty education programs in advanced clinical practice. A nurse that wants to be recognized as an expert in their field, a CNS position may be the best option.
What is a Clinical Nurse Specialist?
A clinical nurse specialist is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has graduated from a Master’s or Doctorate program and is certified in their area of expertise. They have advanced training and education in assessment, pharmacology, and physiology. A CNS specialty certification prepares professionals to work in different settings and roles.
The expert’s specialty may be defined by various factors as outlined below:
| Specialty Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Patient population | Geriatrics, pediatrics, women’s health |
| Practice setting | Critical care, emergency room |
| Medical subspecialty or disease process | Diabetes, infectious disease, oncology |
| Problem-based focus | Wound care, pain management |
| Type of care | Palliative care, rehabilitation |
What Do Clinical Nurse Specialists Do?
CNSs help organizations. Fundamentally, CNS practice seeks to improve conditions through mentoring and systemic changes that empower nurses. It aims to design evidence-based models to ease patient distress and promote ethical decision-making. CNSs care for patients. Like other APRNs, they diagnose, develop care plans, treat, and provide ongoing care management for complex patients. In many states, the CNS can prescribe medications and other therapies.
CNSs use their advanced education and expertise to serve patients and healthcare organizations in a variety of ways, including:
- Advocating for cost-effective and quality patient outcomes
- Serving as patient advocates
- Helping facilities achieve Magnet status
- Assisting with staff retention and mentoring
- Raising the standards for patient care
- Increasing compliance with state and federal healthcare guidelines
Core Competencies and Professional Qualities
The National CNS Competency Task Force recommends these additional core competencies:
- Direct Care
- Consultation
- Systems Leadership
- Coaching
- Research
- Ethical Decision-Making, Moral Agency, and Advocacy
- Collaboration
CNSs love learning and sharing what they learn. Additional qualities of a successful CNS include empathy, ability to communicate effectively, and leadership qualities (able to motivate others and affect change). They must also be passionate about improving the nursing profession, patient care, and the healthcare system.
Professional Support and Leadership
CNSs support nurses. They provide expertise and support to bedside nurses and steer change throughout organizations. They also promote best practices and evidence-based care to achieve optimal outcomes. Many CNSs serve in supervisory or leadership positions. They create or work with teams to develop policies and procedures. Others may work in academia or research. CNSs can assist with translating research findings, developing proposals, overseeing study design, or devising new evidence-based standards and protocols. Graduate training prepares them to help deliver high-quality care.