Mental Health Blog

CNS Clinical Nurse Specialist | 2nd in Top 100 jobs for growth 2013

Written by MaryAPRN.com/ Advanced Practice Psych LLC | Wed, Nov 20, 2013 @ 06:01 PM

The clinical nurse specialist was and is a position built to meet the challenges of today's medical demands and changes. 

While traditional doctors are still on top, there has been a shortage over the last several decades.  Having strong education in their respected field, the clinical nurse specialist fills a very specific need, that need is to get the necessary help / service at the patient level where it really matters.  Health care to Health results.

CNS practice is consistently targeted toward achieving quality, cost-effective outcomes within 3 spheres of influence-patients, nurses and nursing personnel, and organizations/systems. The patient sphere encompasses the direct care activities of CNSs. The essence of a CNS is clinical expertise with a defined specialty population.

Here is some bits from CNNMoney top 100 careers with big growth, and satisfaction:

What they do all day? With ObamaCare raising the pressure to control health costs, it's no surprise this is a hot healthcare career. These change agents use their clinical expertise and organizational influence to develop policies designed to improve patient outcomes and deliver health care more efficiently.

How to get the job? The best specialists are a combination of nurse, leader, educator and researcher. A big part of the role involves teaching and motivating others to adopt new practices and innovations. Graduate-level training in a nursing specialty is a must.

What's great? What's not? It can be extremely satisfying to mentor other staff members and have a real impact on patient care. But trying to persuade experienced staffers to embrace new procedures can be tough. --Grace Wong

"Change is a constant for me. I love the thrill of discovery," says Jocelyn Sese (right), a CNS at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. "Even after all these years of nursing, there are still new things to learn and introduce to the staff."

Quality of life ratings:
Personal satisfaction: A
Benefit to society: A
Flexibility: A

It is not a secret that we need to expand and build a better health care system here in America, the CNS is one such path that delivers on the needs of the industry / patient.  The CNS is here to stay and grow in the coming years.

Why not?  Clinical Nurse Specialists allows greater access, quality health care, and helps reel in costs.  Got questions relating to your situation?