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The differences between nursing program coordinators and clinical nurse specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a nursing program coordinator, 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 $64,285 average annual salary of a nursing program coordinator.
The top three skills for a nursing program coordinator include patients, professional development and CPR. The most important skills for a clinical nurse specialist are patients, BLS, and clinical practice.
| Nursing Program Coordinator | Clinical Nurse Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $64,285 | $77,086 |
| Hourly rate | $30.91 | $37.06 |
| Growth rate | 28% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 113,614 | 268,303 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A Nursing Program Coordinator typically works at universities and community colleges where they are in charge of coordinating nursing programs. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their employment institution, it usually includes conducting research and analyses, liaising with internal and external parties, working together with directors in developing curriculums, and overseeing committee works. Moreover, a Nursing Program coordinator leads and encourages staff to reach administrative objectives while implementing the institution's policies and regulations.
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.
Nursing program coordinators and clinical nurse specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Nursing Program Coordinator | Clinical Nurse Specialist | |
| Average salary | $64,285 | $77,086 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $90,000 | Between $54,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Luis Obispo, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | California |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Government |
There are a few differences between a nursing program coordinator and a clinical nurse specialist in terms of educational background:
| Nursing Program Coordinator | Clinical Nurse Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Nursing |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between nursing program coordinators' and clinical nurse specialists' demographics:
| Nursing Program Coordinator | Clinical Nurse Specialist | |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 10.7% Female, 89.3% | Male, 9.9% Female, 90.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 7.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 Percentage | 12% | 9% |