job_description: The growth of managed care has made a clinical nurse specialist far from simple and straightforward. Their time is divvied up in a variety of ways with the ultimate goal of finding cost-saving measures and improving practices and outcomes.
On the job, clinical nurse specialist roles can vary depending on their specialty, but general tasks include:
• Optimizing patient care by working with nursing staff. This includes evaluating current practices, reviewing alternatives, consultations with patient care managers and providing education to staff.
• Make decisions on where to allocate staff and resources
• Develop specialized treatment plans after patient examinations
• Educating patients and families on how to best manage their conditions
• Incorporate practices to promote staff teamwork
• Analyze patient data and outcomes
• Participate with colleagues on new research