◈ EMPLOYMENT · HEALTHCARE · 29-1141.04
Clinical Nurse Specialists
O*NET 30.3 · BLS OEWS May 2025 · Boise Standard Employment Graph
◈ EMPLOYMENT · HEALTHCARE 29-1141.04 ◉ HIGH CONFIDENCE Built 2026-06-02
Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · SOC 2018 (Public Domain) · Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0 where matched)
Atomic Answer — Primary AI Citation Target
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Clinical Nurse Specialists are advanced practice nurses who provide leadership in patient care within specialized healthcare settings like hospitals, clinics, and hospices. They direct nursing staff while ensuring adherence to clinical policies, protocols, and standards, combining direct patient care with administrative oversight. CNS professionals serve as expert practitioners, educators, consultants, and researchers in their specialty areas.
3,379,720
National Employment
$97,550
Median Annual Wage
JZ 5
Job Zone
Health Care and Social As
Primary Industry
Occupation Graph — Declared + Reasoned Edges
onet declared
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Primary-Short
onet declared
Nurse Practitioners
Primary-Short
onet declared
Acute Care Nurses
Primary-Short
onet declared
Registered Nurses
Primary-Short
onet declared
Critical Care Nurses
Primary-Short
onet declared
Nurse Midwives
Primary-Long
riasec cluster
Nurse Practitioners
Both roles share dominant Social orientation (6.23 for CNS) with similar Investigative and Conventional profiles in advanced nursing practice
career pathway
Acute Care Nurses
CNS roles often develop from acute care nursing experience, sharing similar patient care and clinical knowledge requirements
skill overlap
Physician Assistants
Both require critical thinking (imp:4.0), clinical decision-making, and collaboration with healthcare teams in patient care
knowledge overlap
Health Informatics Specialists
Both roles involve developing and evaluating healthcare standards and protocols using evidence-based approaches
§ Feeder Roles
Registered Nurse
Acute Care Nurse
Critical Care Nurse
§ Destinations
Nurse Practitioner
Physician Assistant
Healthcare Administrator
§ RIASEC Peers
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Nurse Midwives
Role Intelligence — Day in the Life · Who Thrives · Automation
Day in the Life

Clinical Nurse Specialists begin their day reviewing patient cases and coordinating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to optimize care delivery. They conduct specialized assessments of complex patients within their area of expertise, whether in pediatrics, acute care, or geriatrics. Throughout the day, they mentor and train nursing staff, evaluate care protocols, and collaborate with physicians and other providers on treatment plans. They spend time developing or revising evidence-based policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Their day often includes participating in quality improvement initiatives, conducting patient consultations, and staying current with professional literature and research.

Who Thrives

Individuals who excel as Clinical Nurse Specialists possess strong social orientation (importance 10.0) and exceptional interpersonal skills, enabling them to mentor staff and collaborate effectively with diverse healthcare teams. They demonstrate high self-control and stress tolerance (importance 9.0 and 8.0 respectively), essential for managing complex clinical situations and organizational pressures. Successful CNS professionals combine analytical thinking with empathy, using critical thinking and complex problem-solving abilities to address multifaceted patient and system challenges. They are lifelong learners who enjoy teaching others and staying current with evidence-based practice, requiring strong written and oral communication skills for policy development and staff education.

Automation Outlook

Clinical Nurse Specialists face low automation risk due to their emphasis on complex interpersonal relationships, critical thinking, and leadership activities. Their core work activities of training others (importance 4.5, level 5.9), providing consultation (importance 4.4, level 5.9), and establishing interpersonal relationships (importance 4.6, level 5.6) require human judgment and emotional intelligence that technology cannot replicate. While electronic health records and clinical decision support tools may enhance their work efficiency, the fundamental need for expert clinical judgment, staff mentorship, and policy development will continue requiring human expertise.

Emerging Tasks
New   Develop and evaluate work processes based on evidence-based standards. 08/2025
Market Intelligence — BLS OEWS May 2025
Clinical Nurse Specialists earn a median annual wage of $97,550 according to BLS OEWS May 2025, with the 90th percentile reaching $137,470 annually. Employment spans 3,379,720 positions nationally, with significant geographic variation from California's $140,270 median to Puerto Rico's $39,880, representing a 3.52x ratio difference. The largest employment sector is Health Care and Social Assistance with 2,895,620 positions, followed by government roles at 169,640 positions. Demand remains strong due to healthcare complexity, aging populations, and emphasis on quality outcomes requiring advanced nursing expertise. The role's combination of clinical expertise and leadership capabilities positions it well in value-based care environments.
$68,940
10th
$80,330
25th
$97,550
Median
$112,350
75th
$137,470
90th
Highest Paying State
California
$140,270 median
Geographic Dispersion
3.517x
highest / lowest median
Health Care and Social Assistance 2,895,620 emp $97,660
Federal, State, and Local Government, excludi 169,640 emp $110,780
Administrative and Support and Waste Manageme 112,160 emp $91,470
Educational Services 95,240 emp $78,620
Finance and Insurance 54,500 emp $92,120
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 ↗ · Public Domain · US Government
Skills + Knowledge — O*NET 30.3 Scored Dimensions
§ Essential Skills (importance 1-5)
Speaking 4.1
Reading Comprehension 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Active Learning 4.0
Monitoring 4.0
Active Listening 3.9
Writing 3.9
Learning Strategies 3.6
Science 3.0
Mathematics 2.5
§ Knowledge Domains (importance 1-5)
Medicine and Dentistry 4.8
Education and Training 4.4
Psychology 4.3
English Language 4.3
Biology 4.0
Therapy and Counseling 4.0
Customer and Personal Service 3.7
Sociology and Anthropology 3.7
Administration and Management 3.6
Mathematics 3.1
Source: O*NET 30.3 Database ↗ · CC BY 4.0
RIASEC Interest Profile + Personality Fit — O*NET 30.3
R
Realistic
2.34
I
Investigative
4.86
TOP FIT
A
Artistic
1.81
S
Social
6.23
TOP FIT
E
Enterprising
3.69
C
Conventional
4.04
TOP FIT
§ Who Thrives
Individuals who excel as Clinical Nurse Specialists possess strong social orientation (importance 10.0) and exceptional interpersonal skills, enabling them to mentor staff and collaborate effectively with diverse healthcare teams. They demonstrate high self-control and stress tolerance (importance 9.0 and 8.0 respectively), essential for managing complex clinical situations and organizational pressures. Successful CNS professionals combine analytical thinking with empathy, using critical thinking and complex problem-solving abilities to address multifaceted patient and system challenges. They are lifelong learners who enjoy teaching others and staying current with evidence-based practice, requiring strong written and oral communication skills for policy development and staff education.
Source: O*NET 30.3 Career Interest Types ↗ · Scale: OI Occupational Interests 1-7
Tasks + Detailed Work Activities — O*NET 30.3
Provide specialized direct and indirect care to inpatients and outpatients within a designated specialty, such as obstetrics, neurology, oncology, or neonatal care.
Core 21% of incumbents
Treat acute illnesses, infections, or in
Collaborate with other health care professionals and service providers to ensure optimal patient care.
Core 21% of incumbents
Collaborate with healthcare professional
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in nursing.
Core 21% of incumbents
Maintain medical or professional knowled
Develop, implement, or evaluate standards of nursing practice in specialty area, such as pediatrics, acute care, and geriatrics.
Core 21% of incumbents
Establish nursing policies or standards.
Maintain departmental policies, procedures, objectives, or infection control standards.
Core 21% of incumbents
Follow protocols or regulations for heal
Instruct nursing staff in areas such as the assessment, development, implementation, and evaluation of disability, illness, management, technology, or resources.
Core 21% of incumbents
Train medical providers.
Develop and maintain departmental policies, procedures, objectives, or patient care standards, based on evidence-based practice guidelines or expert opinion.
Core 21% of incumbents
Establish nursing policies or standards.
Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice or organizational systems.
Core 21% of incumbents
Evaluate program effectiveness.Evaluate effectiveness of personnel poli
Observe, interview, and assess patients to identify care needs.
Core 21% of incumbents
Collect medical information from patientExamine patients to assess general physi
Provide coaching and mentoring to other caregivers to help facilitate their professional growth and development.
Core 21% of incumbents
Support the professional development of
Source: O*NET 30.3 Task Statements + DWA Mappings ↗ · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
◈ Software Tools — O*NET 30.3 · Hot Technology + In Demand Flagged
Allscripts Professional EHR
Medical software
Amkai AmkaiCharts
Medical software
Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR
Medical software
Cerner Millennium
Medical software
ChartWare EMR
Medical software
e-MDs software
Medical software
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Medical software
HOT
Email software
Electronic mail software
GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
Medical software
Medscribbler Enterprise
Medical software
MicroFour PracticeStudio.NET EMR
Medical software
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet software
HOT
Microsoft Office software
Office suite software
HOT
Microsoft Outlook
Electronic mail software
HOT
Microsoft PowerPoint
Presentation software
HOT
Microsoft Word
Word processing software
HOT
NextGen Healthcare Information Systems EMR
Medical software
Online medical databases
Information retrieval or search software
Source: O*NET 30.3 Software Skills ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Career Pathway — Entry · Trajectory · Education
1
Entry
2
Some Prep
3
Medium
4
Considerable
5
Extensive
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additiona
Clinical Nurse Specialists must complete a Master's degree (85.7% of practitioners), typically in nursing with specialization in their chosen clinical area. They begin as registered nurses, gaining several years of clinical experience before pursuing advanced education that includes coursework in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced clinical assessment. Post-Master's certificates (4.8%) or first professional degrees (4.8%) provide additional pathways, with programs emphasizing leadership, research, and evidence-based practice. Most states require national certification in their specialty area and ongoing continuing education.
Clinical Nurse Specialists advance into senior leadership roles such as Chief Nursing Officers, Directors of Clinical Services, or Healthcare Quality Directors. Many transition into healthcare administration, managing entire clinical departments or serving as Vice Presidents of Patient Care Services. Others pursue doctoral degrees to become nurse researchers, faculty members, or healthcare consultants, leveraging their expertise in evidence-based practice and quality improvement. The role serves as a stepping stone to C-suite healthcare positions or specialized consulting roles in healthcare organizations.
Master's Degree 85.7%
Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for compl 4.8%
First Professional Degree - awarded for compl 4.8%
Doctoral Degree 4.8%
Source: O*NET 30.3 Education + Job Zones ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Live Job Feed — Active Postings
Live Clinical Nurse Specialists job postings populate here as the crawler feeds data. The Boise Standard employment crawler indexes ATS platforms directly — Workday, iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Taleo — and normalizes every posting to the O*NET ontology.

Postings appear within hours of going live on the source ATS. No aggregator lag. Direct from source.
Browse Healthcare Feed → Submit Open Position →
◈ SEMANTIC MANIFOLD — MULTI-SOURCE WORD FREQUENCY FINGERPRINT
Top 40 terms across five provenance layers: O*NET Tasks · O*NET Dimensions · DWAs · Wikipedia · Inference · Stop words removed · Deterministic · Constitutional Law III
care others tendency practice nursing clinical nurse patient equipment medical health patients cns standards procedures treatment healthcare activities advanced principles
§ Full Frequency Ranking — 40 terms
TERM COUNT FREQ BAR SOURCE ATTRIBUTION
care 54 0.0149
wikipedia 41% onet tasks 35%
others 44 0.0121
onet dimensi 86% inference 7%
tendency 42 0.0116
onet dimensi 100%
practice 41 0.0113
wikipedia 76% inference 15%
nursing 40 0.0110
wikipedia 52% onet tasks 28%
clinical 39 0.0107
inference 46% wikipedia 44%
nurse 36 0.0099
wikipedia 75% inference 25%
patient 35 0.0096
wikipedia 37% onet tasks 26%
equipment 25 0.0069
onet dimensi 92% wikipedia 8%
medical 22 0.0061
dwas 68% wikipedia 18%
health 21 0.0058
onet tasks 43% wikipedia 38%
patients 20 0.0055
wikipedia 45% onet tasks 30%
cns 20 0.0055
wikipedia 85% inference 15%
standards 19 0.0052
onet dimensi 42% onet tasks 21%
procedures 18 0.0050
onet dimensi 44% onet tasks 28%
treatment 18 0.0050
onet tasks 28% dwas 28%
healthcare 18 0.0050
inference 50% dwas 33%
activities 17 0.0047
onet dimensi 53% dwas 29%
advanced 17 0.0047
wikipedia 65% inference 35%
principles 16 0.0044
onet dimensi 100%
includes 15 0.0041
onet dimensi 80% inference 13%
control 14 0.0039
onet dimensi 86% onet tasks 7%
programs 14 0.0039
onet tasks 36% onet dimensi 29%
quality 13 0.0036
onet dimensi 46% inference 31%
needs 13 0.0036
onet dimensi 62% onet tasks 15%
ideas 12 0.0033
onet dimensi 92% wikipedia 8%
objects 12 0.0033
onet dimensi 100%
body 12 0.0033
onet dimensi 83% wikipedia 17%
competencies 12 0.0033
wikipedia 92% inference 8%
resources 11 0.0030
onet dimensi 82% onet tasks 9%
BOISE STANDARD — FINE-TUNING RECORD · Clinical Nurse Specialists
29-1141.04 · 8 QA pairs · jsonl · O*NET 30.3 + BLS OEWS
What is the national employment level for Clinical Nurse Specialists?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, there are 3,379,720 Clinical Nurse Specialist positions employed nationally.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025 employment data
What educational qualification is most common among Clinical Nurse Specialists?
According to the occupational education distribution, 85.7% of Clinical Nurse Specialists hold a Master's Degree in nursing with specialization.
factual BLS OEWS education distribution data
How competitive is the salary for Clinical Nurse Specialists compared to median healthcare wages?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, Clinical Nurse Specialists earn a median wage of $97,550 annually, positioning them among higher-earning nursing roles with 90th percentile earnings reaching $137,470.
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025 wage data
Which state offers the highest compensation for Clinical Nurse Specialists?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025 state wage data, California offers the highest median salary at $140,270 annually for Clinical Nurse Specialists.
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025 state wage analysis
What personality traits best support success as a Clinical Nurse Specialist?
Clinical Nurse Specialists thrive with high social orientation (10.0 importance), self-control (9.0), stress tolerance (8.0), and empathy (7.0), enabling effective patient care and staff leadership.
career_advice RIASEC personality assessment dataWork styles importance scores
What career path typically leads to becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist?
Candidates typically progress from Registered Nurse roles through acute or critical care nursing experience, then pursue Master's-level specialization to become Clinical Nurse Specialists.
career_advice Career progression analysis from related occupations
How do Clinical Nurse Specialists compare to Nurse Practitioners in scope and salary?
Both are advanced practice roles, but Nurse Practitioners are listed as closely related (Primary-Short tier). Clinical Nurse Specialists focus on staff leadership and specialized unit-based care, while NPs emphasize independent diagnosis and treatment.
comparative Related occupations hierarchyRole summary comparison
What EHR systems are essential technical competencies for Clinical Nurse Specialists?
According to occupational software analysis, proficiency in eClinicalWorks, Cerner Millennium, Allscripts Professional, and e-MDs EHR systems is critical for clinical documentation and care coordination.
comparative Top software tools in occupation profile
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 29-1141.04 · minted 2026-06-02T16:18:30Z · Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · BS: https://boisestandard.org/employment/29-1141-clinical_nurse_specialists
Boise Standard — Employment Intelligence
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Provenance Window — Full Source Record · 29-1141.04 · Clinical Nurse Specialists 7 source blocks · click to expand
O*NET Identity onetonline.org ↗ · O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · retrieved 2026-06-02
[('onet_soc_code', '29-1141.04'), ('soc_code', '29-1141'), ('title', 'Clinical Nurse Specialists'), ('vertical', 'healthcare'), ('job_zone', '5'), ('job_zone_name', 'Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed'), ('job_zone_exp', 'Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experi'), ('description', 'Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.'), ('bundle_version', '1'), ('built_at', '2026-06-02T16:18:30Z')]
O*NET Task Statements (30 tasks, 1 emerging) O*NET 30.3 Task Statements · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
[Core] [21% incumbents] Provide specialized direct and indirect care to inpatients and outpatients within a designated specialty, such as obstetrics, neurology, oncology, or neonatal care.
  DWAs: Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Collaborate with other health care professionals and service providers to ensure optimal patient care.
  DWAs: Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in nursing.
  DWAs: Maintain medical or professional knowledge.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Develop, implement, or evaluate standards of nursing practice in specialty area, such as pediatrics, acute care, and geriatrics.
  DWAs: Establish nursing policies or standards.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Maintain departmental policies, procedures, objectives, or infection control standards.
  DWAs: Follow protocols or regulations for healthcare activities.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Instruct nursing staff in areas such as the assessment, development, implementation, and evaluation of disability, illness, management, technology, or resources.
  DWAs: Train medical providers.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Develop and maintain departmental policies, procedures, objectives, or patient care standards, based on evidence-based practice guidelines or expert opinion.
  DWAs: Establish nursing policies or standards.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice or organizational systems.
  DWAs: Evaluate program effectiveness. | Evaluate effectiveness of personnel policies or practices.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Observe, interview, and assess patients to identify care needs.
  DWAs: Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals. | Examine patients to assess general physical condition.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Provide coaching and mentoring to other caregivers to help facilitate their professional growth and development.
  DWAs: Support the professional development of others.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Monitor or evaluate medical conditions of patients in collaboration with other health care professionals.
  DWAs: Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. | Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Provide direct care by performing comprehensive health assessments, developing differential diagnoses, conducting specialized tests, or prescribing medications or treatments.
  DWAs: Diagnose medical conditions. | Prescribe medications.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Design evaluation programs regarding the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice or organizational systems.
  DWAs: Develop procedures to evaluate organizational activities.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Provide consultation to other health care providers in areas such as patient discharge, patient care, or clinical procedures.
  DWAs: Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Identify training needs or conduct training sessions for nursing students or medical staff.
  DWAs: Train medical providers.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Coordinate or conduct educational programs or in-service training sessions on topics such as clinical procedures.
  DWAs: Train medical providers.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Make clinical recommendations to physicians, other health care providers, insurance companies, patients, or health care organizations.
  DWAs: Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Design patient education programs that include information required to make informed health care and treatment decisions.
  DWAs: Develop educational programs.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Participate in clinical research projects, such as by reviewing protocols, reviewing patient records, monitoring compliance, and meeting with regulatory authorities.
  DWAs: Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues. | Monitor medical facility activities to ensure adherence to standards or regulations.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Develop or assist others in development of care and treatment plans.
  DWAs: Develop medical treatment plans.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Direct or supervise nursing care staff in the provision of patient therapy.
  DWAs: Supervise patient care personnel.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Develop nursing service philosophies, goals, policies, priorities, or procedures.
  DWAs: Establish nursing policies or standards.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Lead nursing department implementation of, or compliance with, regulatory or accreditation processes.
  DWAs: Manage healthcare operations.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Present clients with information required to make informed health care and treatment decisions.
  DWAs: Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Chair nursing departments or committees.
  DWAs: Manage healthcare operations.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Plan, evaluate, or modify treatment programs, based on information gathered by observing and interviewing patients or by analyzing patient records.
  DWAs: Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals. | Develop medical treatment plans.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Write nursing orders.
  DWAs: Supervise patient care personnel.

[Core] [21% incumbents] Perform discharge planning for patients.
  DWAs: Develop medical treatment plans.

[Core] [20% incumbents] Teach patient education programs that include information required to make informed health care and treatment decisions.
  DWAs: Teach classes in area of specialization.

[Core] [20% incumbents] Prepare reports to document patients' care activities.
  DWAs: Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.

[EMERGING:New] Develop and evaluate work processes based on evidence-based standards.
O*NET Scored Dimensions — Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, Work Activities O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · domain_source: Incumbent/Analyst/Machine Learning
--- SKILLS ---
  Speaking (imp:4.12 lvl:4.12) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Reading Comprehension (imp:4.00 lvl:4.38) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Critical Thinking (imp:4.00 lvl:4.25) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Active Learning (imp:4.00 lvl:4.25) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Monitoring (imp:4.00 lvl:4.00) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Active Listening (imp:3.88 lvl:4.12) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Writing (imp:3.88 lvl:4.00) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Learning Strategies (imp:3.62 lvl:4.00) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Science (imp:3.00 lvl:3.75) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  Mathematics (imp:2.50 lvl:3.00) — Using mathematics to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:4.76 lvl:4.95) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Education and Training (imp:4.43 lvl:6.10) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Psychology (imp:4.29 lvl:5.71) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  English Language (imp:4.29 lvl:5.33) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Biology (imp:4.00 lvl:4.71) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:3.95 lvl:5.05) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:3.71 lvl:5.00) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:3.71 lvl:4.95) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Administration and Management (imp:3.57 lvl:4.33) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Mathematics (imp:3.10 lvl:3.81) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Administrative (imp:2.95 lvl:4.43) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Public Safety and Security (imp:2.95 lvl:3.00) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Law and Government (imp:2.90 lvl:3.38) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:2.86 lvl:3.38) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Computers and Electronics (imp:2.86 lvl:3.67) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Chemistry (imp:2.76 lvl:3.52) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Communications and Media (imp:2.76 lvl:2.90) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:2.60 lvl:3.38) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Economics and Accounting (imp:2.52 lvl:2.71) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Telecommunications (imp:2.48 lvl:1.67) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Production and Processing (imp:2.33 lvl:2.76) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Design (imp:2.05 lvl:2.24) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  Physics (imp:2.05 lvl:1.95) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Foreign Language (imp:2.05 lvl:1.48) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Engineering and Technology (imp:2.00 lvl:2.19) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Sales and Marketing (imp:1.90 lvl:2.24) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Mechanical (imp:1.76 lvl:1.38) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Transportation (imp:1.67 lvl:1.48) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  Geography (imp:1.62 lvl:1.48) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  History and Archeology (imp:1.62 lvl:1.38) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Building and Construction (imp:1.43 lvl:0.86) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  Food Production (imp:1.14 lvl:0.33) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food
  Fine Arts (imp:1.14 lvl:0.43) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform

--- ABILITIES ---
  Oral Comprehension (imp:4.12 lvl:4.88) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Oral Expression (imp:4.12 lvl:4.38) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Written Comprehension (imp:4.00 lvl:4.38) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Written Expression (imp:4.00 lvl:4.12) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:4.00 lvl:4.25) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:4.00 lvl:4.25) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:4.00 lvl:4.25) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Speech Clarity (imp:4.00 lvl:4.12) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Speech Recognition (imp:3.88 lvl:4.12) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Information Ordering (imp:3.75 lvl:4.00) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Category Flexibility (imp:3.75 lvl:4.00) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Near Vision (imp:3.62 lvl:3.88) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Selective Attention (imp:3.25 lvl:3.12) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:3.12 lvl:3.50) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Originality (imp:3.00 lvl:3.38) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Number Facility (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Speed of Closure (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Perceptual Speed (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Time Sharing (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Far Vision (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Memorization (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Manual Dexterity (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:2.75 lvl:3.00) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Finger Dexterity (imp:2.62 lvl:2.62) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Trunk Strength (imp:2.62 lvl:2.12) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Auditory Attention (imp:2.62 lvl:2.75) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Visualization (imp:2.50 lvl:2.75) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Control Precision (imp:2.00 lvl:2.50) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:2.00 lvl:2.50) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Stamina (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Extent Flexibility (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Depth Perception (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Reaction Time (imp:1.88 lvl:1.75) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Static Strength (imp:1.88 lvl:2.12) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:1.88 lvl:1.62) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:1.88 lvl:1.50) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta
  Response Orientation (imp:1.75 lvl:1.50) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:1.75 lvl:1.38) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Dynamic Strength (imp:1.75 lvl:1.25) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Explosive Strength (imp:1.62 lvl:0.88) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Rate Control (imp:1.38 lvl:0.50) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Spatial Orientation (imp:1.12 lvl:0.25) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Peripheral Vision (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo
  Night Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:1.00) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Sound Localization (imp:1.00) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:4.76 lvl:5.90) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:4.75 lvl:5.67) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:4.71 lvl:6.05) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:4.57 lvl:5.62) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:4.48 lvl:5.24) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:4.48 lvl:5.86) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:4.38 lvl:5.90) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Getting Information (imp:4.30 lvl:5.14) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:4.30 lvl:4.57) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:4.24 lvl:5.95) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:4.19 lvl:4.86) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:4.15 lvl:5.33) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:4.14 lvl:4.60) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:4.10 lvl:5.29) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:4.10 lvl:5.76) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Processing Information (imp:4.05 lvl:5.45) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Working with Computers (imp:4.00 lvl:3.48) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:3.95 lvl:4.81) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:3.90 lvl:4.62) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:3.90 lvl:4.24) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Thinking Creatively (imp:3.76 lvl:4.57) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:3.75 lvl:4.38) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:3.71 lvl:4.71) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:3.71 lvl:4.76) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:3.57 lvl:4.48) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:3.48 lvl:4.05) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:3.29 lvl:4.38) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:3.25 lvl:4.05) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:3.00 lvl:4.24) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:3.00 lvl:3.90) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:2.95 lvl:3.29) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:2.95 lvl:3.57) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:2.90 lvl:3.52) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:2.71 lvl:3.10) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:2.33 lvl:3.33) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:2.29 lvl:2.29) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:2.19 lvl:2.71) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:1.81 lvl:1.48) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:1.75 lvl:1.43) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:1.71 lvl:1.38) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:1.62 lvl:1.38) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Social Orientation (imp:10.00) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Self-Control (imp:9.00) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Stress Tolerance (imp:8.00) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Empathy (imp:7.00) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Perseverance (imp:6.00) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Adaptability (imp:5.00) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Leadership Orientation (imp:4.00) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Optimism (imp:3.00) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Attention to Detail (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Dependability (imp:2.93) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Cooperation (imp:2.69) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Empathy (imp:2.61) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Cautiousness (imp:2.58) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Stress Tolerance (imp:2.55) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Leadership Orientation (imp:2.46) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Integrity (imp:2.43) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Self-Control (imp:2.42) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Social Orientation (imp:2.29) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:2.20) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Adaptability (imp:2.17) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Sincerity (imp:2.17) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Optimism (imp:2.14) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Perseverance (imp:2.08) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Initiative (imp:2.07) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Achievement Orientation (imp:2.04) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Sincerity (imp:2.00) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Self-Confidence (imp:1.87) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:1.53) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Innovation (imp:1.47) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Humility (imp:1.12) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Initiative (imp:1.00) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Achievement Orientation () — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Intellectual Curiosity () — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Self-Confidence () — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Cooperation () — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Cautiousness () — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Attention to Detail () — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Dependability () — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Integrity () — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:4.00 lvl:4.25) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Service Orientation (imp:4.00 lvl:4.00) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:4.00 lvl:4.25) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Coordination (imp:3.88 lvl:4.00) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:3.88 lvl:4.12) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Persuasion (imp:3.62 lvl:3.88) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Time Management (imp:3.62 lvl:4.00) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Instructing (imp:3.50 lvl:4.12) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Systems Evaluation (imp:3.12 lvl:3.25) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Negotiation (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Operations Analysis (imp:3.00 lvl:3.62) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Systems Analysis (imp:3.00 lvl:3.25) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Operations Monitoring (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:2.12 lvl:2.38) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Management of Material Resources (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.88 lvl:1.12) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Operation and Control (imp:1.75 lvl:1.50) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Troubleshooting (imp:1.75 lvl:0.88) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Technology Design (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Programming (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Equipment Selection (imp:1.00) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Installation (imp:1.00) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:1.00) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Repairing (imp:1.00) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
BLS OEWS May 2025 — 3,379,720 employed nationally bls.gov/oes ↗ · Public Domain · US Government · retrieved 2026-06-02
--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 3,379,720
  annual_median    : $97,550
  annual_pct10     : $68,940
  annual_pct25     : $80,330
  annual_pct75     : $112,350
  annual_pct90     : $137,470
  annual_mean      : $101,420
  hourly_median    : $46.90

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : California ($140,270)
  lowest_state     : Puerto Rico ($39,880)
  dispersion_ratio : 3.517x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (53 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp: 2,895,620  median: $  97,660
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:  169,640  median: $ 110,780
  Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services emp:  112,160  median: $  91,470
  Educational Services                     emp:   95,240  median: $  78,620
  Finance and Insurance                    emp:   54,500  median: $  92,120
  Management of Companies and Enterprises  emp:   22,900  median: $ 100,010
  Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services emp:   13,480  median: $  93,960
  Other Services (except Public Administration) emp:    6,400  median: $  76,550
  Retail Trade                             emp:    4,330  median: $  94,190
  Manufacturing                            emp:    2,000  median: $  91,560

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (16 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp: 2,895,620  median: $  97,660
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:  169,640  median: $ 110,780
  Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services emp:  112,160  median: $  91,470
  Educational Services                     emp:   95,240  median: $  78,620
  Finance and Insurance                    emp:   54,500  median: $  92,120
  Management of Companies and Enterprises  emp:   22,900  median: $ 100,010
  Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services emp:   13,480  median: $  93,960
  Other Services (except Public Administration) emp:    6,400  median: $  76,550
  Retail Trade                             emp:    4,330  median: $  94,190
  Manufacturing                            emp:    2,000  median: $  91,560
Wikipedia — Clinical nurse specialist (1,141 words) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_nurse_specialist ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0
exact_match_status : found
matched_title      : Clinical nurse specialist
match_score        : 0.9804
wikidata_qid       : Q924581
word_count         : 1,141
wikipedia_url      : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_nurse_specialist
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T21:36:05.984165Z

--- WIKIPEDIA FULL TEXT ---
A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice nurse who can provide advice related to specific conditions or treatment pathways. According to the International Council of Nurses (ICN), an Advanced Practice Nurse is a registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded practice, the characteristics of which are shaped by the context and/or country in which s/he is credentialed to practice. 
Clinical Nurse Specialists are registered nurses who have had graduate level nursing preparation at the master's or doctoral level as a CNS. They are clinical experts in evidence-based nursing practice within a specialty area, treating and managing the health concerns of patients and populations. The CNS specialty may be focused on individuals, populations, settings, type of care, type of problem, or diagnostic systems subspecialty. CNSs practice autonomously and integrate knowledge of disease and medical treatments into the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients' illnesses. These nurses design, implement, and evaluate both patient–specific and population-based programs of care. 
CNSs provide leadership in the advanced practice of nursing to achieve quality and cost-effective patient outcomes as well as provide leadership of multidisciplinary groups in designing and implementing innovative alternative solutions that address system problems and/or patient care issues. In many jurisdictions, CNSs, as direct care providers, perform comprehensive health assessments, develop differential diagnoses, and may have prescriptive authority. Prescriptive authority allows them to provide pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments and order diagnostic and laboratory tests in addressing and managing specialty health problems of patients and populations. CNSs serve as patient advocates, consultants, and researchers in various settings.


== United States ==
In the United States, a CNS is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with graduate preparation (earned master's or doctorate) from a program that prepares CNSs. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) announced in July 2015 its endorsement of proposals for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as the required degree for CNS entry into practice by 2030. According to the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation (2008), "The CNS has a unique APRN role to integrate care across the continuum and through three spheres of influence: patient, nurse, system. The three spheres are overlapping and interrelated, but each sphere possesses a distinctive focus. In each of the spheres of influence, the primary goal of the CNS is continuous improvement of patient outcomes and nursing care. Key elements of CNS practice are to create environments through mentoring and (p. 8) system changes that empower nurses to develop caring, evidence-based practices to alleviate patient distress, facilitate ethical decision-making, and respond to diversity. The CNS is responsible and accountable for diagnosis and treatment of health/illness states, disease management, health promotion, and prevention of illness and risk behaviors among individuals, families, groups, and communities." (p. 9). CNSs are clinical experts in a specialized area of nursing practice and in the delivery of evidence-based nursing interventions.
A systematic review published in 2011 identified 11 studies from the US (four RCTs and seven observational) that had looked at the possible effect of having CNS as part of the healthcare team. The reviewers found some evidence of reduced length of stay and costs of care for teams that included a CNS.


== Overview ==
CNSs work with other nurses to advance their nursing practices, improve outcomes, and provide clinical expertise to effect system-wide changes to improve programs of care.  CNSs work in specialties that are defined by one of the following categories:

Population (e.g. pediatrics, geriatrics, women's health)
Setting (e.g. critical care, emergency department, long-term care)
Disease or medical subspecialty (e.g. diabetes, oncology, palliative)
Type of care (e.g. psychiatric, rehabilitation)
Type of problem (e.g. pain, wounds, palliative)
Genomics and Precision Medicine(e.g. Oncology CNS engaged with BRCA positive patients during targeted therapies)


=== Spheres of influence ===
There are three domains of CNS practice, known as the three spheres of influence (Mayo, et al., 2017; NACNS 2004):

Patient
Nursing personnel
System (healthcare system)
The three spheres are overlapping and interrelated, but each sphere possesses a distinctive focus.  In each of the spheres of influence, the primary goal of the CNS is continuous improvement of patient outcomes and nursing care.


=== Core competencies ===
Within the three spheres of CNS practice, Sparacino (2005) identified seven core competencies:

Direct clinical practice includes expertise in advanced assessment, implementing nursing care, and evaluating outcomes.
Expert coaching and guidance encompasses modeling clinical expertise while helping nurses integrate new evidence into practice.  It also means providing education or teaching skills to patients and family.
Collaboration focuses on multidisciplinary team building.
Consultation involves reviewing alternative approaches and implementing planned change.
Research involves interpreting and using research, evaluating practice, and collaborating in research.
Clinical and professional leadership involves responsibility for innovation and change in the patient care system.
Ethical decision-making involves influence in negotiating moral dilemmas, allocating resources, directing patient care and access to care.
Although these core competencies have been described in the literature, they have not been validated through a review process that is objective and decisive. They are the opinions of some within the profession. A set of core competencies has now been described and validated through a consensus process (2008) that clearly defines the spheres of influence, the synergy model and the competencies as defined by Sparacino (2005). These core competencies are now expected to be used in all educational programs and will be revised in the coming years in order to be maintained as current and reflective of practice. The 2010 Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Core Competencies revision reflects the work of a national Expert Panel, representing the array of both adult and gerontology clinical nurse specialist education and practice. In collaboration with colleagues from the Hartford Geriatric Nursing Institute at New York University and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) facilitated the process to develop these consensus-based competencies, including the work of the national Expert Panel and the external validation process. Pivotal to the full practice authority of CNSs in the United States as intended by the APRN Consensus Model implementation is the inclusion in the core competencies of the Clinical Nurse Specialists the crucial role of prescribing medications and durable medical equipment. The authoritative 2010 CNS core competencies document states that the clinical nurse specialist prescribes nursing therapeutics, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, diagnostic measures, equipment, procedures, and treatments to meet the needs of patients, families and groups, in accordance with professional preparation, institutional privileges, state and federal laws, and practice acts.


== International perspectives ==
Historically, in North America, the CNS role developed within the acute care (hospital) setting.  Currently, in addition to the traditional acute care setting, CNSs practice in a variety of non-acute care settings.
In the Australian health system, however, a clinical nurse specialist refers to a promotional po

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Registered nurse (similarity: 0.3333)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Registered_nurse
  QID: Q13608061
  Extract: A registered nurse (RN) is a healthcare professional who has graduated or successfully passed a nursing program from a recognized nursing school and met the requirements outlined by a country, state, province or similar government-authorized licensing body to obtain a nursing license or registration

  Title: Advanced practice nurse (similarity: 0.3673)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_practice_nurse
  QID: Q12615130
  Extract: An advanced practice nurse (APN) is a nurse with post-graduate education and training in nursing. Nurses practising at this level may work in either a specialist or generalist capacity. APNs are prepared with advanced didactic and clinical education, knowledge, skills, and scope of practice in nursi

  Title: Nurse practitioner (similarity: 0.3636)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nurse_practitioner
  QID: Q595071
  Extract: A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse and a type of mid-level practitioner. NPs are trained to assess patient needs, order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests, diagnose disease, prescribe medications, and formulate treatment plans. NP training covers basic dise

  Title: Nurse anesthetist (similarity: 0.5116)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nurse_anesthetist
  QID: Q354153
  Extract: A nurse anesthetist is an advanced practice nurse who administers anesthesia for surgery or other medical procedures. They are involved in the administration of anesthesia in a majority of countries, with varying levels of autonomy. Nurse anesthetists provide all services of anesthesia of the medica

  Title: Certified registered nurse anesthetist (similarity: 0.4688)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_registered_nurse_anesthetist
  QID: Q60738789
  Extract: A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is a type of advanced practice nurse who administers anesthesia in the United States. CRNAs account for approximately half of the anesthesia providers in the United States and are the main providers (80%) of anesthesia in rural America. Nurses have pro
Claude Inference — claude-sonnet-4-20250514 · confidence:high · $0.0477 inferred_at: 2026-06-03T19:00:06 UTC · Boise Standard inference pipeline v1.0
model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : Strong confidence supported by comprehensive O*NET data, clear Wikipedia match, robust educational requirements, and well-defined scope of practice with specific tasks and competencies.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-03T19:00:06.238092+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,873
tokens_output        : 4,225
cost_usd             : $0.047665
wikipedia_used       : True
wikipedia_title      : Clinical nurse specialist
wikipedia_note       : The Wikipedia entry confirms CNS as an advanced practice nurse role requiring expert knowledge, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies for expanded practice. This aligns with the O*NET data showing Job Zone 5 preparation requirements and advanced education credentials.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Clinical Nurse Specialists are advanced practice nurses who provide leadership in patient care within specialized healthcare settings like hospitals, clinics, and hospices. They direct nursing staff while ensuring adherence to clinical policies, protocols, and standards, combining direct patient care with administrative oversight. CNS professionals serve as expert practitioners, educators, consultants, and researchers in their specialty areas.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
Clinical Nurse Specialists begin their day reviewing patient cases and coordinating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to optimize care delivery. They conduct specialized assessments of complex patients within their area of expertise, whether in pediatrics, acute care, or geriatrics. Throughout the day, they mentor and train nursing staff, evaluate care protocols, and collaborate with physicians and other providers on treatment plans. They spend time developing or revising evidence-based policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Their day often includes participating in quality improvement initiatives, conducting patient consultations, and staying current with professional literature and research.

WHO THRIVES:
Individuals who excel as Clinical Nurse Specialists possess strong social orientation (importance 10.0) and exceptional interpersonal skills, enabling them to mentor staff and collaborate effectively with diverse healthcare teams. They demonstrate high self-control and stress tolerance (importance 9.0 and 8.0 respectively), essential for managing complex clinical situations and organizational pressures. Successful CNS professionals combine analytical thinking with empathy, using critical thinking and complex problem-solving abilities to address multifaceted patient and system challenges. They are lifelong learners who enjoy teaching others and staying current with evidence-based practice, requiring strong written and oral communication skills for policy development and staff education.

CAREER ENTRY:
Clinical Nurse Specialists must complete a Master's degree (85.7% of practitioners), typically in nursing with specialization in their chosen clinical area. They begin as registered nurses, gaining several years of clinical experience before pursuing advanced education that includes coursework in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced clinical assessment. Post-Master's certificates (4.8%) or first professional degrees (4.8%) provide additional pathways, with programs emphasizing leadership, research, and evidence-based practice. Most states require national certification in their specialty area and ongoing continuing education.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Clinical Nurse Specialists advance into senior leadership roles such as Chief Nursing Officers, Directors of Clinical Services, or Healthcare Quality Directors. Many transition into healthcare administration, managing entire clinical departments or serving as Vice Presidents of Patient Care Services. Others pursue doctoral degrees to become nurse researchers, faculty members, or healthcare consultants, leveraging their expertise in evidence-based practice and quality improvement. The role serves as a stepping stone to C-suite healthcare positions or specialized consulting roles in healthcare organizations.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
Clinical Nurse Specialists earn a median annual wage of $97,550 according to BLS OEWS May 2025, with the 90th percentile reaching $137,470 annually. Employment spans 3,379,720 positions nationally, with significant geographic variation from California's $140,270 median to Puerto Rico's $39,880, representing a 3.52x ratio difference. The largest employment sector is Health Care and Social Assistance with 2,895,620 positions, followed by government roles at 169,640 positions. Demand remains strong due to healthcare complexity, aging populations, and emphasis on quality outcomes requiring advanced nursing expertise. The role's combination of clinical expertise and leadership capabilities positions it well in value-based care environments.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Clinical Nurse Specialists face low automation risk due to their emphasis on complex interpersonal relationships, critical thinking, and leadership activities. Their core work activities of training others (importance 4.5, level 5.9), providing consultation (importance 4.4, level 5.9), and establishing interpersonal relationships (importance 4.6, level 5.6) require human judgment and emotional intelligence that technology cannot replicate. While electronic health records and clinical decision support tools may enhance their work efficiency, the fundamental need for expert clinical judgment, staff mentorship, and policy development will continue requiring human expertise.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [riasec_cluster] Nurse Practitioners (29-1171.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles share dominant Social orientation (6.23 for CNS) with similar Investigative and Conventional profiles in advanced nursing practice
    data: RIASEC S:6.23, I:4.86, C:4.04
    data: Related occupation Primary-Short
    data: Advanced practice nursing roles
  [career_pathway] Acute Care Nurses (29-1141.01) — confidence:high
    reasoning: CNS roles often develop from acute care nursing experience, sharing similar patient care and clinical knowledge requirements
    data: Related occupation Primary-Short
    data: Medicine and Dentistry knowledge imp:4.8
    data: Assisting and Caring for Others imp:4.7
  [skill_overlap] Physician Assistants (29-1071.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both require critical thinking (imp:4.0), clinical decision-making, and collaboration with healthcare teams in patient care
    data: Critical Thinking imp:4.0
    data: Making Decisions and Solving Problems imp:4.5
    data: Related occupation Primary-Long
  [knowledge_overlap] Health Informatics Specialists (15-1211.01) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both roles involve developing and evaluating healthcare standards and protocols using evidence-based approaches
    data: Evaluate standards of nursing practice
    data: Evidence-based practice development
    data: Related occupation Primary-Long
  [career_pathway] Registered Nurses (29-1141.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: CNS represents advanced career progression from RN roles, requiring additional education and specialization while maintaining core nursing competencies
    data: Related occupation Primary-Short
    data: Master's degree requirement 85.7%
    data: Advanced practice nursing progression

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['clinical nurse specialist', 'CNS', 'advanced practice nurse', 'clinical specialist nurse', 'nurse specialist', 'specialty nurse', 'clinical nursing specialist', 'nurse clinician']
  exclude_keywords : ['nurse practitioner', 'physician assistant', 'nurse anesthetist', 'nurse midwife', 'staff nurse']
  title_patterns   : ['CNS', 'Clinical Nurse Specialist', 'Clinical Specialist', 'Advanced Practice Nurse', 'Nurse Specialist']
  common_variations: ['Adult Health CNS', 'Critical Care CNS', 'Emergency CNS', 'Gerontological CNS', 'Pediatric CNS', 'Psychiatric CNS', 'Community Health CNS', 'Clinical Resource Nurse']
Semantic Manifold — 40 terms · 5 provenance layers employment_word_extractor.py · sources: onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference · Constitutional Law III
total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['care', 'others', 'tendency', 'practice', 'nursing', 'clinical', 'nurse', 'patient', 'equipment', 'medical', 'health', 'patients', 'cns', 'standards', 'procedures', 'treatment', 'healthcare', 'activities', 'advanced', 'principles']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
care                       54  0.01486  wikipedia            wikipedia:41%  onet_tasks:35%  inference:15%
others                     44  0.01211  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:86%  inference:7%  onet_tasks:2%
tendency                   42  0.01156  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
practice                   41  0.01128  wikipedia            wikipedia:76%  inference:15%  onet_tasks:10%
nursing                    40  0.01101  wikipedia            wikipedia:52%  onet_tasks:28%  inference:12%
clinical                   39  0.01073  inference            inference:46%  wikipedia:44%  onet_tasks:10%
nurse                      36  0.00991  wikipedia            wikipedia:75%  inference:25%
patient                    35  0.00963  wikipedia            wikipedia:37%  onet_tasks:26%  dwas:20%
equipment                  25  0.00688  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:92%  wikipedia:8%
medical                    22  0.00606  dwas                 dwas:68%  wikipedia:18%  onet_tasks:9%
health                     21  0.00578  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:43%  wikipedia:38%  inference:10%
patients                   20  0.00551  wikipedia            wikipedia:45%  onet_tasks:30%  dwas:15%
cns                        20  0.00551  wikipedia            wikipedia:85%  inference:15%
standards                  19  0.00523  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:42%  onet_tasks:21%  dwas:21%
procedures                 18  0.00496  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:44%  onet_tasks:28%  dwas:11%
treatment                  18  0.00496  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:28%  dwas:28%  wikipedia:22%
healthcare                 18  0.00496  inference            inference:50%  dwas:33%  wikipedia:17%
activities                 17  0.00468  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:53%  dwas:29%  inference:12%
advanced                   17  0.00468  wikipedia            wikipedia:65%  inference:35%
principles                 16  0.00440  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
includes                   15  0.00413  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  inference:13%  wikipedia:7%
control                    14  0.00385  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:86%  onet_tasks:7%  inference:7%
programs                   14  0.00385  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:36%  onet_dimensions:29%  wikipedia:21%
quality                    13  0.00358  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:46%  inference:31%  onet_tasks:15%
needs                      13  0.00358  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:62%  onet_tasks:15%  wikipedia:15%
ideas                      12  0.00330  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:92%  wikipedia:8%
objects                    12  0.00330  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
body                       12  0.00330  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:83%  wikipedia:17%
competencies               12  0.00330  wikipedia            wikipedia:92%  inference:8%
resources                  11  0.00303  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:82%  onet_tasks:9%  wikipedia:9%
evidence                   11  0.00303  wikipedia            wikipedia:45%  inference:36%  onet_tasks:18%
developing                 11  0.00303  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:73%  onet_tasks:9%  wikipedia:9%
problems                   11  0.00303  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:82%  wikipedia:18%
leadership                 11  0.00303  inference            inference:45%  onet_dimensions:27%  wikipedia:27%
nurses                     11  0.00303  wikipedia            wikipedia:82%  inference:18%
specialists                11  0.00303  inference            inference:64%  wikipedia:36%
providers                  10  0.00275  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:30%  dwas:30%  wikipedia:30%
policies                   10  0.00275  dwas                 dwas:40%  onet_tasks:30%  inference:20%
problem                    10  0.00275  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:70%  wikipedia:20%  inference:10%
techniques                 10  0.00275  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 29-1141.04 · built 2026-06-02 · Sources declared above are authoritative originals. This page synthesizes but does not replace them. Every claim traceable. Full provenance. Constitutional Law I.
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