Clinical Nurse Specialist Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist

Best Schools to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist in U.S. 2024

Aspen University

Phoenix, AZ

In-State Tuition:$5,700
Out-of-State Tuition:$5,700
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:N/A
Total Enrollment:7,386

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, OK

In-State Tuition:$28,094
Out-of-State Tuition:$28,094
Admission Rate:70%
Graduation Rate:69%
Total Enrollment:2,550

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

In-State Tuition:$54,980
Out-of-State Tuition:$54,980
Admission Rate:71%
Graduation Rate:74%
Total Enrollment:9,688

Duke University

Durham, NC

In-State Tuition:$60,435
Out-of-State Tuition:$60,435
Admission Rate:6%
Graduation Rate:97%
Total Enrollment:18,023

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH

In-State Tuition:$10,656
Out-of-State Tuition:$25,990
Admission Rate:86%
Graduation Rate:72%
Total Enrollment:41,155

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY

In-State Tuition:$10,208
Out-of-State Tuition:$20,464
Admission Rate:86%
Graduation Rate:50%
Total Enrollment:15,801
Clinical Nurse Specialist Job Description:
  • Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records.
  • Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients.
  • May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management.
  • Licensing or registration required.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job Duties for Clinical Nurse Specialists

  • Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.

  • Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.

  • Record patients' medical information and vital signs.

Technologies and Skills Used by Clinical Nurse Specialists

Data base user interface and query software

  • Database software
  • Microsoft Access

Medical software

  • Epic Systems
  • eClinicalWorks EHR software

Word processing software

  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft Word

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Talking to others

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • Changing what is done based on other people's actions
  • Understanding people's reactions

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Clinical Nurse Specialist

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist

FAQs About Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist