Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist: Specialties & Work Settings

Offering nurses the opportunity to gain expert knowledge in their focus area, clinical nurse specialist careers involve five general duties as part of a CNS's daily routine:

• Clinical practice
• Teaching
• Research
• Consulting
• Management

Central to the growth of managed care, CNSs know how to manage the complexities and interdependencies involved in health care practice. What's more, as case managers, they oversee and coordinate cost-effective services and resources that result in optimal health outcomes for patients.

To become a clinical nurse specialist, you must earn a Master of Science (MSN) degree in the clinical nursing specialty of your choice. Most MSN programs take two years to complete and involve a combination of classroom, lab and clinical experience. Clinical nurse career specialties you can choose from include the following:

• Acute Care Nursing
• Adult Nursing
• Cardiovascular Nursing
• Geriatric Nursing
• Home Health Nursing
• Infectious Disease Nursing
• Neonatal Nursing
• Occupational Health Nursing
• Oncology Nursing
• Parent-Child Nursing
• Perinatal Nursing
• Public Health Nursing
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Rehabilitation Nursing
• School Health Nursing
• Women's Health Nursing

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers certification for CNSs who meet eligibility requirements. While not mandatory in all 50 states, certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in your field. What's more, many employers may require it. And it can help you gain job and advancement opportunities throughout your clinical nurse specialist career.

Versatility is one of the top benefits of a clinical nurse specialist career. Choose from a wide variety of work settings, knowing that you can always make a change as you gain more experience and a better understanding of which environment best matches the skills you bring to the job.

Depending on your career goals, you can become a clinical nurse specialist in any of these settings:

• Clinics
• Hospitals
• Long-term care facilities
• Health centers
• Home health care agencies
• Private practice

Incomes for those in clinical nurse specialist careers vary based on a number of factors, including experience, location and specialty. CNSs who specialize in dialysis, intensive care and psychiatric nursing can expect the highest incomes. Annual salaries for clinical nurse specialist careers range from $71,364 to $100,173, according to Salary.com.

The ongoing nursing shortage and financial aid incentives for nursing students make now the perfect time to become a clinical nurse specialist. With an extensive number of traditional classroom and online training programs available, future CNSs enjoy a high level of flexibility and choice when it comes to their education.

If you would like to become a CNS, explore clinical nurse specialist schools. And start your search for the nursing program that can help you build an exciting career in this highly rewarding and versatile field.

Return to All Nursing School's Articles and Resources for additional nursing career specialty and degree information.

_{Sources:
Payscale, 2010
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010
Salary.com, 2010}