Clinical Nurse Specialist

A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is part of the senior nursing staff that work predominately within the acute care sector.  Their role is to observe changes and health deterioration, interpret clinical data, diagnose and analyse complex health problems, and determine a treatment plan for seriously ill or injured patients. A CNS acts as the leader in their specialised area and is responsible for:

• Provide direct patient care
• Diagnose health issues and develop treatment plans
• Devise clinical best practice
• Collaborate with other nursing personnel
• Conduct research to improve clinical practice
• Educate other nurses in their specialised field

A Clinical Nurse can choose to specialise on varying areas of medicine, such as cardiology, gynaecology, neuroscience, oncology, paediatrics and many more. They can also be assigned to practice in emergency rooms. And so depending on the area you specialise in, your role as a CNS may vary between fields.

Prior to becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist you would need to have all the practical experience and qualifications of a Registered Nurse with at least three years practical full time experience. Registered Nurses (RNs) work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside other skilled professionals including doctors, surgeons, specialists, therapists, specialty nurses, social workers and many others to provide ongoing patient care to people who are sick, disabled, injured or recovering from surgery.  Registered nurses deliver primary health care predominantly in hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities, aged care facilities, Government or military institutions, community or school settings, in the home or in outpatient facilities.  See Registered Nurse in the Careers Ladder to read more about their role and responsibilities.