|
Clinical nurse specialist training equips nurses with in-depth knowledge and expertise in their field, preparing them for leadership and teaching roles in a wide variety of health care settings. In order to practice, CNSs must hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a specialty in their area of choice. With a wide variety of specialties to choose from, future CNSs can build a career in the medical field that best matches their interests. And nursing schools offer MSN degrees through both traditional classroom programs and flexible online training formats.  Clinical Nurse Specialist Training Course Overview Coursework for clinical nurse specialist school programs involves classes in specialized nursing subjects, health care industry topics, research and teaching. Here is a sample list of courses from a typical clinical nurse specialist training program. Concepts in Integrated Health Care Integrated health care courses provide future clinical nurse specialists with information on the fundamental concepts and theory related to nursing practice across the life span. In addition to basic concepts, integrated health care courses might cover community health issues and vulnerable populations, emphasizing collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to resolve issues. Pharmacology in Advanced Practice Building on a nurse's experience and prior training, advanced pharmacology courses teach clinical nurse specialists information about pharmacological treatments and disease response, major drug classes and their side effects, and basic microbiology principles. Bioethics In a bioethics course, CNSs study ethical decision-making models and how they apply to nursing. Other concepts these courses might cover are conflict resolution where it surrounds ethical dilemmas and the importance of patient advocacy in the nursing profession. Nursing Research Research is a significant part of a CNS's job duties. And CNS programs typically require nursing research courses that cover general theory, design, qualitative and quantitative measurement theories, as well as data collection, critical analysis, and other research-related clinical nurse specialist information. Instructional Theory and Teaching Practicum As expert clinicians and researchers, clinical nurse specialists make strong teachers. Standard clinical nurse training programs will include the following courses: - Instructional design, theory and delivery
- Learning theories
- Curriculum development and implementation
CNSs may also need to complete a teaching practicum in which they gain experience instructing other nursing students. Theory and Practice in Your Specialty Your clinical nurse specialist training will require several advanced courses in your particular focus area. In general, nursing schools take a tiered approach to teaching a discipline, starting with classes that discuss theory and practice, and moving into more in-depth training about the population or health condition relevant to a particular specialty. Clinical Practicum Clinical nurse specialist training programs involve a certain number of hours spent treating actual patients. Each state has its own requirements for the number of clinical hours CNSs must complete before they can practice. So be sure to research your state's requirements to ensure that your nursing school meets established standards. Additional Clinical Nurse Specialist Information: Alternative Training Programs In addition to standard MSN programs, many nursing schools offer RN-to-MSN programs, a direct entry MSN option for non-nurses who hold a bachelor's degree in another field, and post-master's certificates for nurses who want to demonstrate their expertise in a particular nursing area. Designed to make advanced practice nursing education more broadly accessible, these clinical nurse specialist training programs give nursing students the chance to earn their credentials in a condensed period of time. Choosing the Right Clinical Nurse Specialist Training Program for You Clinical nurse specialist training gives you the opportunity to expand your nursing career options and hone your nursing, research and teaching skills. In the end, you should expect to leave school with the strong credentials and exceptional nursing skills needed to launch a highly rewarding career. Learn more clinical nurse specialist career information. Then start your search for the right clinical nurse specialist training program for you.  Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009
Loma Linda University's School of Nursing, 2009
University of Illinois at Chicago, 2009 |
