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Clinical Specialist
The nurse clinical specialist is a master's-prepared registered nurse with specialized training in a particular area of nursing practice. These areas of clinical specialization include gerontological nursing, home health care nursing, medical/surgical nursing, oncology nursing, parent/child health nursing, psychiatric/mental health nursing and rehabilitation nursing. They are considered experts in their field of specialization.
Clinical specialists are primarily concerned with the diagnosis of illness and disease and generally specialize in the areas of acute critical care and intensive care units. The specialist identifies complex nursing problems and assists the staff in resolution.
| The role of the clinical specialist includes: |
| • | Demonstrating clinical judgment in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patients in a specialty area of practice |
| • | Analyzing, evaluating and applying research findings in selected fields of clinical practice |
| • | Counseling and teaching health education to patients |
| • | Providing leadership |
Clinical specialists are usually employed by hospitals or large medical centers.
Job Outlook
As medical technology continues to advance, the demand for clinical specialists will grow. Other members of the health care team rely heavily on the advanced skills and knowledge of clinical specialists.
Educational Requirements
Clinical specialists require a Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Nursing. The prerequisite is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Programs of study for the Master's Degree focus on clinical specialization with intensive examination of the biological and behavioral sciences and their application within the context of nursing practice, education, research and administration.
Educational Programs
Loyola University Niehoff School of Nursing
Room 500 Damen Hall
6525 North Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 508-3249
http://www.luc.edu/
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Rush University
600 South Paulina Street Suite 1080
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-2165
http://www.rushu.rush.edu/
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St. Xavier University
3700 W. 103rd Street
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 298-3000
http://www.sxu.edu/
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University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing
Dept. Code: 2-3400
845 South Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 996-4350
http://www.uic.edu/
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