9 Fun Facts About a Clinical Nurse Specialist
Are you curious about the role of a clinical nurse specialist (CNS)? These professionals focus on improving patient outcomes and enhancing nursing practice within specific clinical areas. They are experts in a particular field, such as critical care, oncology, or mental health, and work to implement evidence-based practices, educate staff, and lead quality improvement initiatives.
What are some fun facts about a clinical nurse specialist that you might not know? Let’s dig into CNS careers and the impact they can have in nursing and healthcare.
9 of the Best Fun Facts About a Clinical Nurse Specialist Career
1. Clinical Nurse Specialists Are APRNs
A CNS is one of four types of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), highly-trained nurses that are essential for care delivery across clinical settings. In addition to clinical nurse specialists, APRNs include the following three roles:
- Nurse practitioners (NPs) provide primary and specialty care to patients across the lifespan. They are trained to assess, diagnose, and manage medical conditions, including by prescribing medications. NPs often work in settings such as clinics, hospitals, and private practices, and they can specialize in areas like family practice, pediatrics, or women’s health.
- Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) specialize in women’s reproductive health and childbirth. They provide prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care, as well as gynecological services and family planning. CNMs work in hospitals, birthing centers, and private practices, and they emphasize a holistic approach to women’s health.
- Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) administer anesthesia and provide anesthesia-related care before, during, and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, surgical centers, and dental offices.
2. The Clinical Nurse Specialist vs. NP Scopes of Practice Differ
While NPs work directly with patients and are more widely known, CNSs also have a broadened scope of nursing practice. They both can assess, prescribe, and interpret lab results, but in the case of a CNS, these skills are typically used to improve care quality. They’re less likely to serve as direct care providers, working instead to better health systems and nursing care delivery.
Essentially, NPs work in health systems while CNSs work on health systems, acting as change agents to make them better for clinicians and patients. As a CNS, you might spend time with patients, but most of your work will be away from the bedside.
3. They Specialize in Populations and Clinical Areas
Looking for fun facts about a clinical nurse specialist’s career path options? Like other APRNs, CNSs specialize in a population or clinical area of nursing practice, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, oncology, or critical care. Their knowledge enables them to improve systems and lead initiatives wherever they choose to work, which can be in settings such as:
- Acute care hospitals
- Outpatient clinics
- Community health centers
- Academic institutions
- Inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities
- Long-term care facilities
- Hospice and palliative care organizations
- Research institutions
- Telehealth services
- Government and public health agencies
4. CNSs Are Leaders in Evidence-Based Practice and Innovation
As new research and data emerge, clinical standards must be updated to reflect evidence. This is called evidence-based practice (EBP), and it’s the root of quality nursing care. CNSs are instrumental in driving system-level changes to implement evidence in healthcare organizations. They collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop and carry out policies, protocols, and programs that improve efficiency and patient outcomes.
CNSs use research to inform clinical decisions and improve care quality, often serving as the bridge between data and the bedside. In this role, you may be tasked with leading quality-improvement projects and implementing best practices within healthcare organizations.
5. Clinical Nurse Specialists Are Mentors and Educators
As the average age of nurses rises, it is becoming more important than ever to build mentorship and training programs to support the newest generation. CNSs are essential in educating and mentoring nursing staff to enhance clinical skills and professional development.
Not only can CNSs teach new nurses, they can also offer training sessions and workshops to keep staff informed about the latest advancements in healthcare. They may lead and develop educational programs, both in healthcare institutions and academia. If you enjoy teaching and fostering new nursing talent, this could be a great role for you.
6. CNSs Reduce Healthcare Costs
CNSs contribute to cost savings for healthcare organizations by coordinating care and reducing the length of hospital stays. Their focus on prevention and early intervention can also help bring down hospital readmission rates. Not only can they improve efficiency, but they can also enhance quality while avoiding an increase in costs.
As healthcare costs rise, CNSs may play an increasingly essential role in keeping healthcare systems running, especially in areas such as prenatal care, preventative wellness, behavioral health, chronic conditions, and hospital-acquired conditions.
7. There’s a Growing Demand for CNSs Across Settings
The demand for CNSs is increasing as healthcare systems recognize the value of their expertise in improving patient outcomes and enhancing nursing practice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CNSs proved to be essential care providers and innovators. The demand for APRNs is expected to rise substantially in the next decade, presenting a great opportunity if you’re interested in this career path.
8. CNS Week Is September 1–7
CNSs are celebrated annually during CNS Week. This is a time to recognize the contributions of these nearly 90,000 professionals that innovate and improve healthcare. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) offers a celebration toolkit, CNS swag, and webinars.
9. They Get Paid Well
The salary of clinical nurse specialists tends to be higher than that of RNs, and a CNS is among the most highly paid of nursing professionals. If you’re seeking a role with both stability and a higher income, consider becoming a CNS.
Curious About Roles for CNSs?
Now that you’ve learned these fun facts about a clinical nurse specialist, you might be interested in learning more about open roles. Personalized job notifications from IntelyCare ensure you never miss a job opportunity because they arrive in your inbox.