Clinical Nurse Specialists are Master's Degree prepared advanced practice Registered Nurses in roles
characterized by the following responsibilities: 1) provide care for patients with multiple or complex health
needs within a specific clinical area; 2) use advanced clinical skills in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment
and evaluation of patients; 3) use theoretical and clinical expertise to assist health care providers and patients
in promoting or achieving optimal health; 4) develop and implement standards of nursing practice; 5) serve as
a consultant or expert resource person for other health providers; 6) facilitate an interdisciplinary and
collaborative approach to meeting the needs of patients; 7) seek consultations and make referrals as needed;
and 8) promote research to improve clinical nursing practice. Clinical Nurse Specialists assess, plan, provide
and evaluate specialized nursing care of patients by advancing the quality and scope of nursing practice
through clinical practice, education, research, consultation, and administrative roles in the area of clinical
expertise (e.g., diabetes, cardiology, respiratory, pediatrics, etc.) for a specified patient population.
From: National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. (2004).
Statement on Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice and Education
, p 13.
This model describes the CNS’s practice competencies within three spheres of influence: the patient/client, nursing and nursing practice, and the organization/system sphere with the patient being the most important sphere. The CNS’s clinical expertise spawns from competencies inherent within a specialty of nursing practice and are used to address nursing issues within the patient/client, nursing and nursing practice, and the organization/system spheres. The essential roles of the CNS: expert clinician, interdisciplinary consultant, educator, researcher, and leader help to 1) direct specialty knowledge and skill acquisition, 2) shape core competencies of clinical practice, 3) promote evidence-based outcome-guided nursing care, 4) integrate quality patient care across SHC practice sites, 5) promote promoting an environment of mentoring and system change that empower the nurse to experience professional growth and development.
Job Qualifications:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and
abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.
Education: Master's degree in a work-related discipline/field from an accredited college or university
Experience: Three (3) years of progressively responsible and directly related work experience
