NURSE, CLINICAL SPECIALIST


Registered nurses who complete a masters degree or higher and become experts in specific areas or clinical practice may become clinical nurse specialist (C.N.S.). The CNS is prepared to function as an expert practitioner, leader, researcher, educator and consultant.

Common areas of specialized nursing practice include:
*Cardiac Rehab CNS
*Cardiology CNS
*Community Health CNS
*Critical Care CNS
*Diabetes CNS
*Emergency Services CNS
*Gerontologic CNS
*Maternal & Child CNS
*Medical Surgical CNS
*Neonatal CNS
*Oncology CNS
*Pediatric Cardiology CNS
*Psychiatric-Mental Health CNS
*Thoracic CNS
*Transplant CNS
*Trauma CNS

Education

Clinical nurse specialists must first be registered nurses who have graduated from a four-year accredited program and go on to complete graduate programs (masters level or above).

Registration/Certification/Licensure

These nurses can be certified in a clinical specialty by meeting the requirements of a national credentialing body approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing.

Salary

$39,000-70,000

Employment Opportunities

Clinical nurse specialists may work in hospitals, clinics, health maintenance organizations, industry, the home, long term care facilities and private or joint practices.

Programs

Eastern Kentucky University 
     MSN Rural Community Health Care Nursing		 (859) 622-1827
Spalding University 
     MSN Leadership in Nursing and Health Care		 (502) 585-7125
University of Louisville 
     MSN Adult Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist 
     MSN Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Specialist		 (502) 852-5366
University of Kentucky
     MSN Adult Health Nursing Track
     MSN Parent-Child Specialty Track
     MSN Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Track
     MSN Public Health Nursing Track 		 (859) 323-5108
Western Kentucky University
     MSN Nurse Education Option		 (270) 745-3391
Murray State University
     MSN Generalist Option		 (270) 762-2193
Northern Kentucky University
     MSN Nursing Administration Track
     MSN Acute Care Specialist Track		 (859) 572-5248

Professional Associations

See Registered Nurse

Last updated:  June 26, 2001