Clinical Nurse Specialists

What Does a Clinical Nurse Specialists Do?

Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Provide specialized direct and indirect care to inpatients and outpatients within a designated specialty, such as obstetrics, neurology, oncology, or neonatal care.
• 2Collaborate with other health care professionals and service providers to ensure optimal patient care.
• 3Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in nursing.
• 4Develop, implement, or evaluate standards of nursing practice in specialty area, such as pediatrics, acute care, and geriatrics.
• 5Maintain departmental policies, procedures, objectives, or infection control standards.
• 6Instruct nursing staff in areas such as the assessment, development, implementation, and evaluation of disability, illness, management, technology, or resources.
• 7Develop and maintain departmental policies, procedures, objectives, or patient care standards, based on evidence-based practice guidelines or expert opinion.
• 8Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice or organizational systems.

Required Skills

• Speaking
• Monitoring
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Active Listening
• Learning Strategies
• Allscripts Professional EHR
• Amkai AmkaiCharts
• Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR
• Cerner Millennium
• ChartWare EMR
• e-MDs software
• eClinicalWorks EHR software
• Email software
• GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
• Medscribbler Enterprise