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Clinical Nurse Specialists

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical (29-1141)
Bright Outlook

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.

At a Glance

Clinical Nurse Specialists earns a median of $93,600/yr with +4.9% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Stress Tolerance, Empathy, Social Orientation.

Median Annual Wage

$93,600/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+4.9%

Annual Openings

189

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (16)

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

4.1
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

4.0
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

4.0
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

4.0
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

4.0
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

4.0
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

4.0
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

4.0
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.9
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

3.9
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

3.9
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.9
Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

3.6
Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

3.6
Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

3.6
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

3.5

Knowledge (9)

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

4.8
Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

4.4
Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

4.3
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

4.3
Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

4.0
Therapy and Counseling

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

4.0
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.7
Sociology and Anthropology

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

3.7
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.6

Abilities (13)

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.1
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.1
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

4.0
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

4.0
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

4.0
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

4.0
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

4.0
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

4.0
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.9
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.8
Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

3.8
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.6
Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

3.3

Technology (6)

eClinicalWorks EHR software

Category: Medical software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (28)

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.8
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.8
Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

4.7
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.6
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.5
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

4.5
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

4.4
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

4.3
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.3
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.2
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

4.2
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

4.2
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.1
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.1
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

4.1
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.1
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.0
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

4.0
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.9
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

3.9
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.8
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.8
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.7
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.7
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

3.6
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

3.5
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

3.3
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

3.3

Work Styles (6)

Stress Tolerance

A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

5.0
Empathy

A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feelings at work.

5.0
Social Orientation

A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

5.0
Self-Control

A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

5.0
Perseverance

A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

4.3
Adaptability

A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

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