Clinical Nurse Specialist
Field of Study — Nursing
Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice registered nurses whose advanced training and graduate education enable them to provide high-level care to people of all ages in both hospital and community settings. They work in collaboration with physicians and other health care providers.
Clinical nurse specialists:
- perform physical and psychosocial assessments of patients and families.
- diagnose not only health problems of individuals but those of groups of patients.
- manage acute and chronic conditions and illnesses.
- educate and counsel patients on health care needs and preventive health care.
- develop educational programs for nurses and other health care providers.
- collaborate and conduct research.
Clinical nurse specialists focus on one or more areas, such as pediatrics, mental health, perinatal care, oncology or gerontology. They may work in hospitals, clinics, health maintenance organizations or in private practice.
Educational Requirements
Students interested in a career as a clinical nurse specialist should take challenging high school courses in science, math and English, including advanced placement courses.
To become a clinical nurse specialist, students must first complete education and training to be a baccalaureate-prepared registered nurse. Then they must complete an accredited master’s degree program.
Educational Institutions
Professional Associations
- National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
3969 Green St.
Harrisonburg, PA 17110
(717) 234-6799
http://www.nacns.org - Virginia Nurses Association
7113 Three Chopt Road
Suite 204
Richmond, VA 23226
(804) 282-1808
1-800-868-6877
http://www.virginianurses.com