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Nurse educator vs clinical nurse specialist

The differences between nurse educators and clinical nurse specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a nurse educator, becoming a clinical nurse specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a clinical nurse specialist has an average salary of $77,086, which is higher than the $67,983 average annual salary of a nurse educator.

The top three skills for a nurse educator include patients, BLS and BSN. The most important skills for a clinical nurse specialist are patients, BLS, and clinical practice.

Nurse educator vs clinical nurse specialist overview

Nurse EducatorClinical Nurse Specialist
Yearly salary$67,983$77,086
Hourly rate$32.68$37.06
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs537,803268,303
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age4444
Years of experience24

What does a nurse educator do?

A nurse educator is responsible for teaching aspiring professional nurses, designing courses according to the curriculum, and organizing activities to practice and enhance the students' knowledge. Nurse educators manage clinical activities and observe the students' performance in actual training. They must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, as well as its practices, to respond to the students' inquiries and concerns accurately. A nurse educator identifies the students' strengths and weaknesses, develop comprehensive lesson plans, and strategizing various nursing programs.

What does a clinical nurse specialist do?

Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) serve as experts in practicing nursing based on evidence in one or more specialty areas. These nurses use their advanced knowledge and experience in assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients. CNS is known to be called nurse educators for being assigned to conduct lectures in educational institutions due to their extensive effort to improve their craft. Additionally, their experience and expertise in a certain medical specialty qualify them to do case research.

Nurse educator vs clinical nurse specialist salary

Nurse educators and clinical nurse specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Nurse EducatorClinical Nurse Specialist
Average salary$67,983$77,086
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $97,000Between $54,000 And $109,000
Highest paying CityJersey City, NJSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyGradyHealthMayo Clinic
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalGovernment

Differences between nurse educator and clinical nurse specialist education

There are a few differences between a nurse educator and a clinical nurse specialist in terms of educational background:

Nurse EducatorClinical Nurse Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Nurse educator vs clinical nurse specialist demographics

Here are the differences between nurse educators' and clinical nurse specialists' demographics:

Nurse EducatorClinical Nurse Specialist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 10.7% Female, 89.3%Male, 9.9% Female, 90.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 8.9% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between nurse educator and clinical nurse specialist duties and responsibilities

Nurse educator example responsibilities.

  • Achieve instructor level for both BLS and ACLS, supporting needs of nursing staff to maintain competency.
  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, administering medications, performing procedures, and managing emergencies.
  • Provide nursing education and clinical expertise to novice nurses entering ICU setting.
  • Assist with maintaining staff certification in ACLS and BLS, advocate keeping current with unit specific certifications.
  • Involve in program development for the cardiology and cardiovascular surgery departments.
  • Develop standardized patient care plans for medical diagnoses and oncology patients for use with the hospital computerize documentation system.
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Clinical nurse specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage chronic conditions (CHF, COPD, DM, ESRD) in a medically complex patient population.
  • Supervise and manage hypertension clinic.
  • Manage continuity of care for complex general internal patients with limit resources-diabetes, hypertension, psychiatric, and homeless.
  • Consult and follow patients in the ICU, emergency room, on the floor, and in clinic.
  • Coordinate care of vascular patients from preoperative throughout hospital stay, assess home care needs and rehabilitation placement.
  • Interview staff, recommend hiring, provide direct supervision, initiate disciplinary actions, and ensure quality care for veteran patients.
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Nurse educator vs clinical nurse specialist skills

Common nurse educator skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • BLS, 8%
  • BSN, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Educational Programs, 5%
Common clinical nurse specialist skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • BLS, 8%
  • Clinical Practice, 7%
  • CNS, 6%
  • Professional Development, 4%
  • Patient Outcomes, 4%

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