What is a clinical nurse specialist?
A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice nurse with a master’s or doctoral degree who is an expert in a population or specialty, such as adult health, pediatrics or oncology. CNSs care for complex patients, mentor nurses and lead improvements in care.
How a CNS differs from an NP
A nurse practitioner focuses on diagnosing and treating individual patients. A CNS spends more time on the system around the patient: staff education, evidence-based practice and quality projects, while still caring for patients. Prescribing authority depends on the state.
Training
Become an RN, complete a graduate CNS program, and get national certification, which is offered by several bodies depending on the specialty. Then apply for state recognition, which varies.
Pay and projections: Bureau of Labor Statistics. NCLEX figures: NCSBN. Enrollment: AACN. Sources and years are ondata sources.