The number of specialized fields in nursing have increased significantly making nurses the largest workforce in US. With the ever-increasing population, the nursing profession requires certification of additional nurses annually. However, the field has called for various specialties that are categorized in respect to different duties, expected salaries, and certification requirement. Although every specialty is equally important when it comes to patient treatment, some specialties are popular than others depending on the duties held by the nurses. This essay will address a few nursing specialties majoring on clinical nurse specialist, the duties given to the nurses, their annual salaries, and the certification requirement for each specialty.
Clinical Nurse Specialist pertains to registered nurses that have acquired a doctorate or master’s degree in nursing (Zuzelo 50). Before becoming a clinical nurse specialist, the individual in question is required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination, National Nurses Licensing Exam, and the Certified Nurse Specialist Certification Exam. Also, these particular nurses normally select specified areas that they are suited in and focuses on attaining all the required knowledge in that profession.
The main duties for CNS is to improve health care delivery system, treating and diagnosing illness, giving medicine prescription, and provide direct patient care. In addition, CNS nurses act as consultants for other nursing staffs as well as developing policies and procedures with other team members in a given hospital. The nurses also evaluate research proposals by translating research findings in order to provide efficient patient care. By working with research, the CNS applies most of the research results in the field of practice. Besides, they come up with evidence-based protocols and standards as well as practice studies (Finkelman 32).
Clinical Nurse Specialists are well paid given that most of them occupy the management posts in various health care centers. For instance, the median salaries for CNS nurses ranges between $93,000 and $94,000 annually (The Best Schools). The job demand in this field is normally high and is expected to increase in the course of time, year after year.
Another specialty of nurses that are quite popular with an annual salary range almost equal to that of CNS are the Psychiatric nurses. Unlike the CNS, psychiatric nurses treat patients with mental illness through clinical intervention and therapy. They assist patients in avoiding social isolation, disability, and poverty. In this line of profession, one is required to help individuals with substance abuse problems, anxiety and mood disorders, as well as Alzheimer disease.
Finally, Doctor of Nursing Practice holds the highest level in the nursing specialty. The practice deals with leadership roles, health care system, health care policy, and management of health care delivery (The Best Schools). For one to qualify fully as a DNP nurse, they are obliged to undergo through a bachelors, masters, and PHD in nursing. Nurses under this category receive a minimum salary totaling to about 99,000 dollars in a year.
Overall, every specialty in nursing career is very essential when it comes to patients. Individuals suffering from mental problems require psychiatric nurses to help them overcome those challenges and the illness in order to live productive and fulfilling lives. On the other hand, CNS nurses deal with patients directly by focusing on day-to-day care. They diagnose and treat patients that are suffering from normal clinical problems on daily basis. One can always improve their nursing career by enrolling in a DNP course. With a doctorate degree in DNP, the nurse is able to make effective policies and decisions on behalf of others.
Works Cited
Finkelman, Anita. "The clinical nurse specialist: leadership in quality improvement." Clinical Nurse Specialist 27.1 (2013): 31-35.
The Best Schools. "Best Nursing Career Specialties: The Top 20 | the Best Schools." 2016, www.thebestschools.org/blog/2013/10/18/best-nursing-career-specialties-top-20/.
Zuzelo, Patti R. The Clinical Nurse Specialist Handbook. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2010. Print.
