Clinical Nurse Specialists
Clinical nurse specialists direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. They ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.
A clinical nurse specialist is an advanced practice registered nurse who has earned a master's or doctoral degree in nursing. They are trained in physiology, pharmacology and physical assessment and use their expertise to assess, diagnose, and treat patients. Their role may extend to areas like health care management and research.
Clinical nurse specialists' job descriptions include providing diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of patients. They provide support to nurses, help drive practice changes throughout the organisation, and ensure evidence-based care to achieve the best patient outcomes.
Clinical nurse specialists' salaries depend on the skills the candidate possesses like identifying gaps in health care delivery. They help design and implement interventions, and assess and evaluate those to improve overall health care delivery. Their research may result in outcomes like reduced hospital costs and length of stay; reduced frequency of emergency room visits; improved pain management practices; increased patient satisfaction with nursing care; and reduced medical complications in hospitalized patients.
Clinical nurses need a bachelor of science degree in nursing. They work for a few years before applying to a clinical nurse specialist program, which can take approximately two years to complete. After graduating with a master’s degree in clinical nursing, they may obtain certification in specialities, including adult health, adult psychiatric and mental health, child/adolescent psych and mental health, gerontology, home health, paediatrics or public/community health.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- M.Sc. Nursing
- B.Sc. Nursing
Tasks
- Coordinate or conduct educational programs or in-service training sessions on topics, such as clinical procedures.
- Observe, interview, and assess patients to identify care needs.
- Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice or organizational systems.
- Provide direct care by performing comprehensive health assessments, developing differential diagnoses, conducting specialized tests, or prescribing medications or treatments.
- Provide specialized direct and indirect care to inpatients and outpatients within a designated specialty, such as obstetrics, neurology, oncology, or neonatal care.
- Maintain departmental policies, procedures, objectives, or infection control standards.
- Collaborate with other health care professionals and service providers to ensure optimal patient care.
- Develop nursing service philosophies, goals, policies, priorities, or procedures.
- Develop, implement, or evaluate standards of nursing practice in specialty area, such as pediatrics, acute care, and geriatrics.
- Develop or assist others in development of care and treatment plans.
Progression Routes
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