How to Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist

Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who specialize in a specific patient population. They differ from nurse practitioners (NPs) in that NPs focus almost solely on patient care, whereas CNS roles encompass many responsibilities, including patient care, unit management, education, leadership, and research.

All clinical nurse specialists must earn a postgraduate degree and pass a certification exam before they can obtain a license and apply for employment. This guide can help any aspiring clinical nurse specialist discover how to reach this goal and become a CNS.

Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist in 7 Steps

To become a clinical nurse specialist, candidates first have to become a registered nurse (RN). After they gain some experience at the bedside, they can pursue higher education, licensing, and certification in their specialty.

Schooling Requirements for Clinical Nurse Specialist

Clinical nurse specialist education requirements can be achieved in two different ways: earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The MSN represents the minimum accepted degree for CNSs, but the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) is pushing for the minimum CNS degree to be a DNP by the year 2030.

No matter the degree type, CNS candidates must choose their desired specialty when applying to the program. The NACNS reports adult/gerontology as the most popular CNS specialty, which includes over 75% of CNSs.

Master of Science in Nursing

A Master of Science in Nursing, or MSN, represents the minimum level of education required for a clinical nurse specialist. CNS candidates must choose their specialty when they apply to an MSN program. They may earn an MSN in as little as two years, but many students continue to work while they study part-time, which will take them longer.

*Varies depending on institution
Sources: Maryville University, University of Pennsylvania, Case Western Reserve University, AACN

Doctor of Nursing Practice

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the highest level of education a nurse can achieve. CNS candidates who choose to pursue a DNP must choose a specialty before beginning the program. While a DNP is not yet required for a CNS, it may be in the future.

Sources: Maryville University, University of California Davis, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (PDF)

CNS Specialties

Certification types for clinical nurse specialists include adult/gerontology, pediatric, and neonatal. A CNS chooses a specialty as they apply to their postgraduate program and then must take the corresponding certification exam.

Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification (AGCNS-BC)

Adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialists treat adolescents, adults, and older adults in primary and acute care settings.

Source: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (ACCNS-P)

Pediatric clinical nurse specialists treat newborns, infants, children, and adolescents in a primary or acute care setting.

Source: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist (ACCNS-N)

Neonatal clinical nurse specialists treat babies born prematurely in a critical care setting.

Source: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

Clinical Nurse Specialist Credentials

Once a clinical nurse specialist has graduated with their MSN or DNP and passed their certification exam, they must apply for a CNS license. Each state has differing requirements for licensure, and clinical nurse specialists can check their state’s licensing information through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to find what they need to submit.

Where Do Clinical Nurse Specialists Work?

Clinical nurse specialists can find employment in a variety of different workplace types. In the hospital, CNSs provide direct patient care, manage treatment plans, direct policy change in their unit and facility alongside other leaders, and supervise nursing staff.

In universities, CNSs teach future nurses, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to prepare them for their careers. They may also work in research in the academic setting to develop evidence-based practice and procedures for the continual improvement of nursing practice.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide a specific job outlook for clinical nurse specialists but groups them in with nurse practitioners, who are predicted to see a 38% growth in the field through 2032. The current average annual salary for CNSs is $128,490, which is approximately $61.77 an hour.

FAQs: How to Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist

   1. What does a clinical nurse specialist do?

Clinical nurse specialists diagnose, treat, and prepare treatment plans for patients in their care. They focus on a specialty population like gerontology, pediatric, or neonatal, and develop and implement evidence-based practice procedures and improved systems within their facility and unit.

   2. What is the difference between a clinical nurse specialist and a nurse practitioner?

Clinical nurse specialists may share some duties with nurse practitioners, such as patient assessment and treatment, but CNSs focus on their population/diagnosis specialty and their unit, whereas nurse practitioners see a wider variety of patients and do not attend to the needs of the unit.

   3. What do most CNSs make in an hour?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t report specific salary data for CNSs. Instead, it includes them in the nurse practitioner group, who make an average of $61.77 an hour, which equals an average of $128,490 per year.

   4. What’s the fastest you can become a CNS?

The quickest path to becoming a clinical nurse specialist is by earning an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), followed by a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which can take as little as a year and two years, respectively.