What Does a Clinical Nurse Specialist Do?

The Clinical Nurse Specialist is an expert clinician and critical component in the delivery of high quality health care in the hospital setting.

The CNS is a Master’s prepared nurse who has transitioned or is in the process of transitioning from the role of RN. As part of the leadership team, the CNS with extensive RN experience will work alongside nurses at the bedside to teach and identify process concerns and educational needs, as well as maintain their own skills.

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In addition to their role of educator, the CNS is responsible for leadership development, research, consulting for other services and institutions, and, of course, clinical practice. They practice in many specialty areas including pediatrics, acute/critical care, adult health, geriatrics, oncology, acute/surgical care and community health to name a few. Their goal is to enhance the delivery of health care within their unit, and their success is defined by the success of their nurses as well as patient outcomes.

The role of the CNS is not without its challenges. They need to effectively balance the need for influence with the nurses to be able to train them successfully in the specific procedures of the unit while meeting the goals of management and leadership. The ideal situation occurs when the CNS has nurse educators in the unit that do orientation, onboarding and credentialing education. This gives the CNS the opportunity to establish themselves as the trainer/educator that delivers excellent quality training to nurses at the bedside.

In some instances, the CNS does not have a direct leadership relationship over the nursing staff, requiring them to be creative in their leadership and educator role. All nurses must have access to the same education and training opportunities, which means the schedule of the CNS has to be flexible to meet the needs of the night shift nurses.

There are several possible reporting structure reporting relationships between the CNS and management. For example, the CNS may report directly to the Director of the unit, or may have a line relationship with the Director. Other possibilities are reporting to a Director of Advanced Practice Nurses, or the Director of Education within the organization. It is very important that the CNS have a clear understanding of the organization’s reporting structure for their particular position.

There are many ways the organization can assist the CNS to ensure success. The most effective is regular goal-setting, scheduling and planning meetings between management and the CNS. Goals are set, expectations are clarified and performance and progress are measured on a regular basis. In addition, the CNS needs solid management support in the areas of funding, resources and time to successfully institute their programs and meet their goals. In some instances, professional coaching is provided for the CNS to help guide relationships between management and the nursing staff.

The AACN Statement of Support for Clinical Nurse Specialists offers a great definition of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Role:

Within the APRN community, Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) play a unique role in the delivery of high quality nursing care. These clinicians are experts in evidence-based nursing and practice in a range of specialty areas, such as oncology, pediatrics, geriatrics, psychiatric/mental health, adult health, acute/critical care, and community health among others. In addition to direct patient care, CNSs also engage in teaching, mentoring, consulting, research, management and systems improvement. Able to adapt their practice across settings, these clinicians greatly influence outcomes by providing expert consultation to all care providers and by implementing improvements in health care delivery systems.  Read More...

View Current Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Jobs and Apply Today:

Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator, Critical Care - Cincinnati, OH 
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psychiatry - Cincinnati OH 
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Dallas TX 
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Hematology/Oncology - Dallas TX 
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Heart Center, CVICU - Houston TX
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cardiology - Cincinnati OH 
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, General Medicine - Dallas TX 
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit - Houston TX 
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit - Philadelphia PA


To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

Happy CNS Recognition Week from Melnic Consulting Group!

The team at Melnic Consulting Group would like to send a very special thank you to all the clinical nurse specialists throughout the country.  Thank you for all that you do, and the incredible amount of skill, intelligence, time, and heart that you give to those you are educating in the hospital setting, and those in need of your care. You are remarkable leaders, expert clinicians, and critical components in the delivery of high quality healthcare.

 

We wish you a week full of pride, recognition, contentment and joy.  We recognize and celebrate the positive impact that you have on the education, structure, and development of your facility’s people and processes, as well as your patients, their families, your community, and our nation. We admire your strength, compassion, and willingness to deliver high quality healthcare year-round.

Enjoy your week, and know that you are truly special 365 days of the year!

Looking for a new Pediatric CNS job opportunity? 

We are currently interviewing for 10 open positions.

 View all Pediatric CNS jobs here! 

To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

Role of Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialists

What Does a Clinical Nurse Specialist Do?

The Clinical Nurse Specialist is an expert clinician and critical component in the delivery of high quality health care in the hospital setting.

The CNS is a Master's prepared nurse who has transitioned or is in the process of transitioning from the role of RN. As part of the leadership team, the CNS with extensive RN experience will work alongside nurses at the bedside to teach and identify process concerns and educational needs, as well as maintain their own skills.           

In addition to their role of educator, the CNS is responsible for leadership development, research, consulting for other services and institutions, and, of course, clinical practice. They practice in many specialty areas including pediatrics, acute/critical care, adult health, geriatrics, oncology, acute/surgical care and community health to name a few. Their goal is to enhance the delivery of health care within their unit, and their success is defined by the success of their nurses as well as patient outcomes.

Learn More About the Role of the Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

View Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Jobs

To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Jobs!

Are you a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist looking for the optimal job opportunity that will allow you to apply your instructional aptitudes, leadership development skills, and extensive clinical experience? Melnic Consulting Group understands the role of the Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, and our recruitment professionals will identify and match your unique skills and specialties to the opportunity and culture that is right for you.

We are currently interviewing candidates for 11 nationwide pediatric clinical nurse specialist jobs.

Pediatric CNS, Cardiac Care Unit – Dallas, TX

Pediatric CNS, Surgery – Wilmington, DE

Pediatric CNS, Surgical Trauma – Philadelphia, PA

Pediatric Clinical Practice Specialist, Infectious Disease – Denver, CO

Pediatric CNS, Professional Practice Specialist, PICU – Washington, DC

VIEW ALL Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist jobs!

To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

PNP Jobs in Florida!

Does the winter weather have you longing for the warm Florida sunshine? Then check out these Hot Pediatric Nursing Job Opportunities with Leading Children’s Hospitals in sunny Florida.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
Orlando, FL

Join this team of pediatric specialists who provide quality care for children with neurological disorders as their Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. This is an exciting full-time opportunity for the PNP with training in pediatric neurology. Read the Full PNP Job Description and apply today!

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care
Jasper, FL
Immediate opportunity for a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with experience in Primary Care to join this successful, established and growing pediatric practice in Northern Florida. Read the Full PNP Job Description and apply today!

Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Emergency Department
Orlando, FL
If you are an experienced Clinical Nurse Specialist in pediatric emergency medicine, consider joining the innovative Emergency Department at this new state-of-the-art children’s hospital that will open in 2012, located in the southeastern United States. Read the Full PNP Job Description and apply today!

Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Medical Surgical
Orlando, FL
Excellent opportunity for a Clinical Nurse Specialist with Medical Surgical experience. The Medical Surgical CNS at this leading children’s hospital will be a valuable member of the dedicated team that provides medical surgical care for infants, children and adolescents with a variety of medical and surgical conditions. Read the Full PNP Job Description and apply today!

Pediatric Nurse Director, Medical Surgical, Hematology Oncology
Florida

Bring your strong leadership skills and experience in Hematology/Oncology to join this leading children’s hospital as the Director of their Medical Surgical Hematology Oncology Unit that provides comprehensive care for infants, children and adolescents undergoing surgical procedures. Read the Full PNP Job Description and apply today!

Pediatric Nurse Director, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU)
Florida

Join this leading children’s hospital as the Director of their Cardiac Intensive Care Unit that cares for infants, children and adolescents with congenital or acquired heart disease. This heart institute has recently been ranked one of the best in cardiology by U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” for 2011-12. Read the full Pediatric Nurse Director Job Description and apply today!


To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

Acute Care Salaries and Roles for PNP and CNS

Acute Care Salaries and Roles for PNP and CNS

Jill,
I am wondering if you could answer a question for me. I see that most of the jobs in the CVICU or PICU are CNS positions. I have heard of Clinical Nurse Specialists. I am pretty sure that as a PNP we can fill that role. Just wondered what you thought the difference is? Salary? role? or scope of practice? I am very interested in working in an acute care setting (even though I don’t have an acute care PNP degree). It seems most are filled by those who have a Primary care Peds NP and have experience as an R.N. in acute care peds. Let me know what you think. Thanks
Kirsten


Kristen
Hi,the CNS role varies by hospital and state. Some states require a certification, some require education as a CNS and some require a MSN. In some states CNS have prescriptive authority and some do not. The true role of a CNS is as a facilitator of best practices. The way that is communicated is at the bedside training unit nurses, research, education and working with management to understand and communicate the hospital wide goals.
A PICU or CVICU PNP job usually requires 2-3 years as a RN in the PICU. Some states require the Acute Care certification and training many hospitals prefer it. Post Masters Acute Care programs are available and have a distance education option. A PICU CNS job similarly requires 2-3 years RN experience in the PICU. That makes sense because it is difficult to teach best practices to nurses if you have not been in the role yourself.

Regarding all other acute care units, there is a very similar story. If you want to work in inpatient cardiology you need to have cardiology experience, if you want to work in hematology oncology the same is true. If you have RN experience in med surg, it is easier to work in hem onc, cardiology and surgery as a PNP. As a CNS there are training programs for specific units and it generally require RN experience in that unit for the reasons stated above.
Salaries for acute care positions depend on location and experience. A new grad in California can make anywhere from 75,000-90,0000 as a PNP in acute care. The same PNP job with experience would jump to 90,000-$120,000.A new grad CNS was offered $120,000 in California to work as a NICU level III with ecmo. She had four years RN experience and was trained in a program as a NICU CNS.

In Oregon and Washington a new grad acute care PNP can make 73,000-80,000 and an experienced PNP can make 80,000-90,000. As an acute care CNS the salary range is 80,000-85,000 for new grad to experienced CNS.

In Texas a new grad PICU PNP can make 90,000-100,000 and other acute care PNP's can make 76,000-100,000. All PICU, CICU and cardiology PNP's are required to have an acute care certification and training. Other inpatient units either require or expect a PNP to acquire training and certification within 2 years of employment start date.

In the mid west, a new grad acute care PNP can make 65,000-75000 and an experienced PNP can make 80,000-100,000. It is important to take the cost of living into consideration. In Kansas City, if you make 75,000 you need to make 92,000 in Dallas, 171,000 in California, 131,000 in Seattle and 164,000 in Washington DC given a cost of living comparison.

In New York acute care PNP and CNS salaries are high. They range from 80,000-100,000 as a new grad and 95,000-140,000 with experience. Boston is similar although the starting salaries for new grads can be 75,000. Starting salaries for new grads in acute care PNP in Atlanta is 75,000.

Experience can be defined as years of RN or PNP experience depending the hospital policies. A CNS starting salary can be the same for experienced CNS as new grads because there is a high demand. Starting salaries do not correlate to salaries with longevity at a hospital. Many hospitals give annual increases of 2-5%. There are a number of PNP's nationwide making $120,000-140,000 because of annual increases in their wages.

I hope this helps.

Warm Regards,
Jill Gilliland
President
Melnic Consulting Group
800 886-7906
www.melnic.com

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To inquire about jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact:

Jill Gilliland
800-886-7906
jill@melnic.com

Graduate Nursing School Tips

Graduate Nursing School Tips!

Here is advice from a seasoned CNS. Thanks Beth!!!

I have been an CNS for years, but am back in school for the ACNP/DNP. I have
several suggestions:

Maintain a portable calendar put all your major due dates on it -if it's
something that needs to be turned in put it on there. I usually build mine
at the first of the semester on my pda.

I also keep a weekly calendar on a desk blotter. At the first of the
semster I sit down and date thru the end of semster and put the big stuff on
it but this really for the details. As I finish labeling pages I make on
last page for course evaluation comments. This is where I write down my
weekly reading assignments so I can check off as I read. work schedule [just
a big w for work on the days I need to be there]. I can write additional
notes on this and tear off weeks as I finish and trow them away. Makes me
feel like I am accomplishing something. If I am having trouble remembering a
concept I will write it on the blotter [sometimes for several weeks] until I
get it. If I have a thought about a paper Iave to write in 3 weeks I flip
to that page and make a note [you can do this on your pda too - I go between
the too].

We use Harrisions Internal Medicine. It is very small print, concentrated
text. It takes me forever to read a page and absorb it. However, I have
found if I use a magnifying glass to read it with, I read much faster.

Find out if there are any little books you can read [and practice if
necessary] ahead of time. For instance, we had to read Dubins 12 lead EKG
[for 2 classes] and a radiology book. I had my books weeks ahead of time, but
did not go ahead and read them. My life would have been much easier if I
had taken that opportunity.

If you find a great chart as you are reading or great information, put it in
a word document and save it in a pda file. Once a month [week whatever]
upload those files to your pda. {there is a way to do it for iPhones too -
but I hear the 3.0 version of iPhone OS due out this summer will let you do
it without additional software]

If you have deep freezer, make some soups and dinners that you can put dish
into indiviual or family servings for a quick meal.

Be sure to schedule some time for yourself. Eat well, take your vitamins,
stay healthy.

Beth

Good Luck!



To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact:

Jill Gilliland
800-886-7906
jill@melnic.com