Clinical Nurse Specialist
Clinical nurse specialists are registered nurses who are licensed to diagnose and treat illnesses in a number of specialized fields, such as psychiatric-mental health. They are experts in the nursing field, and are also responsible for developing and implementing population-based care programs, evaluating clinic financial plans, coordinating care teams, taking part of research, and mentoring the nursing staff in solving patient care issues. Clinical nurse specialists act as healthcare leaders for the community as well as medical staff at the facility in which he or she works. There are three main realms of the clinical nurse specialist profession: patient and family relations, nursing personnel, and system and network organization. The patient and family realm has the nurse working with patients to directly diagnose and treat conditions. The nursing personnel realm requires the nurse to deal with keeping up with the modern developments of nursing while also acting as an example and guide for novice nurses. The system and network organization realm involves the business side of running a healthcare facility, where a clinical nurse specialist must work on providing the best care possible at a low, affordable rate while also keeping the facility financially sound.
Employment positions for registered nurses, including clinical nurse specialists, are expected to see a 23 percent growth in opportunities by 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As the health care sector grows to accommodate the increasing as well as aging world population, nursing positions will grow as well. Registered nurses are the largest health care occupation, and will likely stay in that top position. Overall, the job prospects are positive for new clinical nurse specialists looking to break into the field.
Prospective clinical nurse specialists must earn a minimum of a Master’s education in healthcare to become officially certified. Registered nurses looking to advance their careers should consider enrolling in a MHA program, which will open up more opportunities in highly rewarding and specialized nursing fields. After completing the accredited nursing program, graduates must satisfactorily complete an exam established by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in order to become officially certified clinical nurse specialists.
