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.
SOC: 29-1141.04
Common Job Titles
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
Emergency Clinical Nurse Specialist
ICU Clinical Nurse Specialist (Intensive Care Unit Clinical Nurse Specialist)
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
KnowledgeEvaluate patient care delivery against established clinical policies, protocols, and regulatory standards in hospital, hospice, clinic, and home healthcare settings, ensuring quality and compliance.
Advanced
KnowledgeAnalyze complex patient conditions and interdisciplinary care data using advanced clinical knowledge and evidence-based practice to guide nursing staff decisions.
Advanced
MindsetIntegrate patient-centered care principles with nursing staff development when coaching and mentoring nurses in clinical practice environments.
Advanced
KnowledgeDesign evidence-based clinical protocols and care pathways collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes and nursing practice standards.
Advanced
MindsetChampion professional nursing excellence and ethical clinical practice through leadership, role modeling, and advocacy across healthcare settings.
Advanced
KnowledgeFormulate comprehensive educational strategies and staff development programs addressing competency gaps and advancing nursing practice within clinical specialties.
Advanced
KnowledgeSynthesize multidisciplinary patient data and clinical research using electronic health records and online medical databases to provide expert consultation.
Advanced
KnowledgeInterpret clinical assessment findings and diagnostic information for nursing staff and interdisciplinary team members to facilitate optimal patient management.
Proficient
Hands-onDemonstrate mastery of advanced clinical procedures and specialized nursing interventions using complex medical equipment while training and supervising nursing staff.
Proficient
MindsetBalance organizational priorities with patient safety requirements and staff capacity when coordinating care delivery and resolving resource allocation conflicts.
Proficient
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Clinical Nurse Specialists (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
3,282,010
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $66,030. 25th percentile: U.S. $78,610. 50th percentile: U.S. $93,600. 75th percentile: U.S. $107,960. 90th percentile: U.S. $135,320. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$66,030
10% of workers earn the following or more
$135,320
Workers on average earn
$98,430
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Medicine and Dentistry4.6/5
Education and Training4.5/5
English Language4.4/5
Biology4.3/5
Psychology4.2/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
