Clinical Nurse Specialist

If you’re an RN (Registered Nurse) with some experience in the field, you might find that you want to advance into a specialized field of study within nursing. Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is a great way to guide your career toward a new direction, and to focus on a particularly interesting area.

Clinical Nurse Specialists can specialize on a specific group, such as kids, the elderly, or women. Or, if you’re a Clinical Nurse Specialist, you might focus on one field like cardiovascular health, cancer, or diabetes. You might even practice a rainbow of procedures, but concentrate on providing it in just one facility, such as the psychiatric ward, emergency room, operating room, or acute care.

A Clinical Nurse Specialist is still a Nurse, so you continue to work face to face with your patients. You still monitor vital signs, evaluate symptoms, offer comfort, and answer questions. You also explain treatments and console family members. In addition, you are qualified to diagnose and treat your patients because of your expertise in the field.

This position takes the nursing role to another level because you’re now fulfilling the role of a Teacher. You guide other Nurses through procedures, and mentor them on their job. You might also work in the community, running the health care program at a school district or at a community health care center.

Wherever you focus your energies, you do so with bountiful knowledge, a caring demeanor, and a giving manner. These are all qualities that enrich the lives of your patients.