Is becoming a clinical nurse specialist right for me?
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How to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist
Clinical nurse specialists are registered nurses who have completed both a nursing degree and national certification. They spend two to three more years in school beyond the requirements for registered nurse licensure.
Certification indicates advanced knowledge and clinical skills specific to a specific patient population or specialized area of nursing. Each state’s board of nursing has its own requirements for how to become a licensed clinical nurse specialist.
The most prominent professional association for the advancement and recognition of clinical nurse specialists is the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS).