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Registered nurse vs clinical nurse specialist

The differences between registered nurses 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 registered nurse, 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 $73,349 average annual salary of a registered nurse.

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

Registered nurse vs clinical nurse specialist overview

Registered NurseClinical Nurse Specialist
Yearly salary$73,349$77,086
Hourly rate$35.26$37.06
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs646,159268,303
Job satisfaction2.75-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age4444
Years of experience24

What does a registered nurse do?

The primary responsibilities of a registered nurse involve caring for a variety of patients, from ill and injured to those who are healthy and wanting to stay that way. Nurses have different specialization and work with particular patients, such as newborn babies or those who are suffering from particular medical conditions. They work on different settings which includes hospital, outpatient facility, rehabilitation center, nursing home, dialysis center, home healthcare agency, and other offices. They can administer medications, wound care, and other aids or treatment plan. They also conduct medical tests, interpret the results, and monitor patients' recovery and progress.

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.

Registered nurse vs clinical nurse specialist salary

Registered nurses and clinical nurse specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Registered NurseClinical Nurse Specialist
Average salary$73,349$77,086
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $117,000Between $54,000 And $109,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyNORCAL AmbulanceMayo Clinic
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between registered nurse and clinical nurse specialist education

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

Registered NurseClinical Nurse Specialist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Registered nurse vs clinical nurse specialist demographics

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

Registered NurseClinical Nurse Specialist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 12.3% Female, 87.7%Male, 9.9% Female, 90.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.0% White, 66.1% 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 registered nurse and clinical nurse specialist duties and responsibilities

Registered nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient care for individuals with multiple diagnoses including COPD, diabetes, stroke and cardiac issues.
  • Organize and manage regular clinics involving external physicians, including ophthalmology, ENT, Med/Surg, orthopedics, and podiatry professionals.
  • Manage surgical recovery patients including vascular, ENT, GI urological and neurological cases, coronary bypass surgery patients.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Provide care for cardiac patients in arrhythmia critical care unit, providing patient education and monitoring telemetry
  • Re-Cover surgical patients immediately after heart and vascular surgery until transfer out of ICU.
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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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Registered nurse vs clinical nurse specialist skills

Common registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 10%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 5%
  • Home Health, 4%
Common clinical nurse specialist skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • BLS, 8%
  • Clinical Practice, 7%
  • CNS, 6%
  • Professional Development, 4%
  • Patient Outcomes, 4%

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