In This Article
- Steps to becoming a clinical nurse specialist in Australia
- What is a clinical nurse specialist?
- What does a clinical nurse specialist do?
- Clinical nurse specialist salary
- Where do clinical nurse specialists work?
- What areas of nursing can clinical nurse specialists specialise in?
- Skills and qualities of a clinical nurse specialist
- Why choose a career as a clinical nurse specialist?
- Pursue a fulfilling career as a clinical nurse specialist
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With a shortage of more than 79,000 nurses projected by 2035, Australia’s healthcare system faces growing pressure to deliver high-quality patient care. While registered nurses form the backbone of the profession, there is also an increasing need for advanced practice nurses such as clinical nurse specialists.
If you’re passionate about improving nursing practice, want to become an expert in a specialty area and enjoy supporting and mentoring others, a clinical nurse specialist role could be the right career path for you.
In this article, we’ll walk through the steps to becoming a clinical nurse specialist in Australia. You’ll also learn more about what the role involves, how much clinical nurse specialists typically earn, essential skills and qualities required and more.
Steps to becoming a clinical nurse specialist in Australia
If you’re keen on becoming a clinical nurse specialist, you will first need to reflect on whether this is the right career path for you. You will then need to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing, register with Ahpra and gain nursing experience. Thereafter, you will need to complete a postgraduate qualification before applying for clinical nurse specialist roles.
1. Reflect on whether this is the right career path for you
If you’re looking to step into a nurse leadership role and develop expertise in a specialised area of nursing, you may be interested in becoming a clinical nurse specialist.
While it can be a rewarding role, it’s important to also consider the commitment involved. To become a clinical nurse specialist, you’ll generally need at least three to five years of experience as a registered nurse, a solid foundation in your area of specialty and a postgraduate qualification.
Beyond that, you’ll also need to consider if this role aligns with your long-term career goals. If you want to be in a leadership role that requires skills such as advanced clinical knowledge, critical thinking and a passion for educating and mentoring junior staff, this could be the right career path for you.
2. Build a strong foundation
The next step towards becoming a clinical nurse specialist is to become a registered nurse in Australia. To do so, you’ll need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing that typically takes about three years full-time. As part of the degree, you will complete multiple clinical placements and develop the nursing knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a registered nursing role.
If you already have a degree in another discipline and are looking to pivot into nursing, you can consider applying for a Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) course. These courses provide an accelerated pathway into nursing and can be typically completed in two years full-time.
3. Gain nursing experience
After completing your degree, you will need to apply for registration with Ahpra before gaining nursing experience.
Graduate nurse programs can be especially valuable to pursue after graduation as they typically include rotations across multiple specialties, giving you exposure to a variety of clinical environments. Otherwise, you can also gain nursing experience by working in areas such as aged care, community health or general practice clinics.
During the early stages of your career, focus on sharpening your clinical skills, developing confidence and gaining clarity on which specialty area you’d like to pursue long-term. After you’ve got a few years of experience under your belt, you can focus on building leadership skills and honing your skills within your chosen specialty.
4. Complete a postgraduate degree
Most clinical nurse specialist roles require a postgraduate qualification in a relevant clinical specialty. There are a wide range of graduate certificate, graduate diploma and master’s nursing courses available in Australia with various specialties and focuses.
If you aim to specialise in aged care, for instance, you can consider completing a Master of Nursing (Chronic Disease and Ageing) from Victoria University.
For a more comprehensive postgraduate qualification, you might be interested in pursuing a master’s nursing course. Here are some Master of Nursing courses that will help advance your clinical skills and develop competencies in areas such as leadership, research and critical thinking.
Master of Nursing (Advanced Practice) at James Cook University
This course will provide you with the skills required to deliver advanced patient care and can be completed in two years part-time. Some units that you will complete as part of the advanced practice specialisation include Advanced Health Assessment and Quality Use of Medicines in Practice.
Master of Advanced Nursing at the University of Technology Sydney
This course can also be completed in two years part-time and offers four specialist pathways for you to choose from. Core subjects include units such as Advanced Professional Practice, Specialty Clinical Practice and Leading Health and Social Care.
Master of Nursing (Leadership) at Victoria University
The course can be completed in two years part-time and focuses on aspects such as clinical leadership, team management and financial acumen. Some specialisation units you’ll complete include Financial Management for Nurses and Nursing Management.
5. Apply for clinical nurse specialist roles
Clinical nurse specialist positions are advertised through job platforms such as SEEK and Indeed, as well as on hospital and health service recruitment portals. When applying, ensure your nursing resume and cover letter clearly highlight areas such as your clinical expertise and postgraduate qualifications.
What is a clinical nurse specialist?
A clinical nurse specialist is an advanced practice registered nurse recognised for their high level of expertise in a particular area of healthcare. They combine advanced clinical knowledge with problem-solving and leadership skills to manage and coordinate care. Some areas that clinical nurse specialists can work in include mental health, aged care, paediatrics and acute or critical care.
What is the difference between a clinical nurse specialist and a clinical nurse?
While both roles share a strong focus on delivering person-centred, high-quality care, there are key differences. A clinical nurse is primarily focused on delivering direct patient care, drawing on advanced clinical knowledge to ensure safety and quality in practice.
A clinical nurse specialist, on the other hand, takes this a step further. While still involved in hands-on care, they bring a greater depth of expertise in their chosen specialty, often leading the assessment, planning and evaluation of complex care. In addition, they also provide clinical leadership and may be involved in driving practice changes within the healthcare system.
What is the difference between a clinical nurse consultant and a clinical nurse?
While both roles sit at the advanced practice level, their scope of work differs. A clinical nurse specialist continues to play an active, hands-on role in patient care while also leading improvements within their specialty.
By contrast, a clinical nurse consultant is usually less involved in direct care and instead serves as a clinical resource and advisor. They work at a broader organisational level with a focus on shaping policy, conducting research and contributing to strategic service development.
What does a clinical nurse specialist do?
A clinical nurse specialist has a multifaceted role that blends advanced clinical expertise with leadership and strategy.
Typical responsibilities of a clinical nurse specialist may include:
- Providing high-quality, evidence-based clinical care within their specialty
- Mentoring, educating and supporting nursing staff to build capability across the workforce
- Developing, planning, implementing and evaluating care plans in collaboration with patients and healthcare teams
- Educating families and patients about their condition, treatment plans, medications and other aspects of care
- Serving as a resource for multidisciplinary teams and other stakeholders
- Leading or contributing to quality improvement initiatives and implementing practice changes
- Monitoring outcomes and auditing care processes to ensure safety and effectiveness
Clinical nurse specialist salary
As per Indeed, the average salary for clinical nurse specialists in Australia is approximately $117,000 per year. This is around 28 per cent higher than the average salary of a registered nurse, which sits at about $90,000 a year.
As with most nursing roles, salaries can vary depending on factors such as experience and location. Here is a breakdown of the average annual salaries for clinical nurse specialists across Australia from highest to lowest:
Where do clinical nurse specialists work?
Clinical nurse specialists can work across a wide range of healthcare settings. Some of the more common settings include:
Hospitals
Hospitals are one of the most common settings for clinical nurse specialists to work in. Responsibilities typically include providing direct clinical care within their specialty, leading evidence-based practice, optimising organisational systems, delivering clinical leadership and supporting quality improvement initiatives.
Community health services
Clinical nurse specialists in community health deliver a similar scope of practice to their hospital-based counterparts. They may, however, also conduct home visits, lead outreach programs and support chronic disease management across metropolitan, rural and remote communities. Cultural competence is essential in the role since clinical nurse specialists working in community health services often work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Day surgery centres
Clinical nurse specialists may also work in day surgery centres that provide surgical services such as endoscopy, urology and ophthalmology. Responsibilities mirror hospital roles with more predictable hours and a strong focus on perioperative care.
Government organisations
Clinical nurse specialists are often sought-after by government organisations due to their specialist expertise. Here, they are recognised as an expert nursing resource and typically assist with improving healthcare delivery, implementing changes and enhancing patient outcomes.
Aged care facilities
In aged care facilities, clinical nurse specialists apply their advanced knowledge in chronic and complex disease management, gerontology and dementia care. Some of their responsibilities may include conducting holistic assessments, developing and reviewing person-centred care plans and mentoring and supporting junior nurses.
What areas of nursing can clinical nurse specialists specialise in?
Clinical nurse specialists have a plethora of areas that they can specialise in. Some examples include:
Utilise advanced skills in physical assessment, early detection of deterioration and rapid response to acute changes to help patients experiencing sudden or serious illnesses and injuries. If you’re looking to hone your clinical and critical decision-making skills in acute care nursing, you may want to consider pursuing a Master of Advanced Nursing (Acute Care) at the University of Technology Sydney.
Cancer (oncology) nursing
Competently care for individuals affected by cancer by planning appropriate strategies and interventions, managing side effects and providing compassionate and effective care.
If you would like to gain advanced knowledge in cancer nursing, the Master of Nursing (Cancer Nursing) at the Queensland University of Technology will help develop your capability in the field. You can select from either a dissertation or coursework stream and complete the course in 18 months full-time.
Cardiac nursing
Care for patients experiencing cardiovascular disease or other heart-related issues by guiding rehabilitation, educating patients and their families and creating evidence-based treatment plans.
Develop advanced knowledge and skills in cardiac nursing with a Graduate Diploma of Cardiac Nursing at Deakin University. The course can be completed in two years part-time and will prepare you for a clinical nurse specialist role in various specialist cardiac settings.
Chronic disease and ageing
Assist older individuals living with multiple long-term conditions by developing personalised care plans and providing self-management strategies.
Gain the advanced skills to provide specialised care for the ageing population with the Master of Nursing (Chronic Disease and Ageing) at the University of Newcastle. As part of this specialisation, you will undertake units such as Ageing and Health and Palliative Care Practice.
Deliver care to critically ill patients in the ICU or high-dependency units. This includes advanced monitoring, stabilisation and leading clinical teams in managing life-threatening conditions.
Thrive in the fast-paced environment of critical care with a Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing (Critical Care Nursing) at the University of Tasmania. Complete the course in two years part-time and choose to do either a nursing coursework, nursing research or nursing advanced practice pathway.
Gerontological nursing
Deliver specialised care for older adults, focusing on dementia management, fall prevention and strategies to promote healthy ageing.
Learn how to better undertake risk assessment, implement risk mitigation strategies and make clinical decisions with the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Gerontological Nursing) at Australian Catholic University.
Mental health nursing
Assess, treat and support patients with mental health conditions by creating care plans, leading therapeutic interventions and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
If you’re looking to upskill but are short on time, the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing at Southern Cross University can be completed in eight months part-time and will help you develop the skills to respond to individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges.
Deliver child-focused care for infants, children and adolescents with acute or chronic conditions.
Learn how to provide better care in this area by upskilling with a Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing at the University of Melbourne. Consisting of only four units, the course can be completed in 12 months part-time and you will learn the latest evidence and best practice guidelines to provide high-quality care to paediatric patients.
Palliative care nursing
Support patients with life-limiting illnesses by managing complex symptoms and providing compassionate end-of-life care for both patients and their families.
Further develop your knowledge and skills in palliative care nursing with a Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care Nursing at the University of Notre Dame Australia. The course can be completed in six months full-time and consists of units such as Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Management in Palliative Care Nursing.
Care for patients throughout the surgical journey from pre-operative preparation to post-operative recovery.
Develop the competencies to better respond to the needs of patients throughout their perioperative journey with a postgraduate degree. The Master of Clinical Nursing (Perioperative Nursing) at Charles Darwin University can be completed in three years part-time and will equip you with the skills to specialise in this area of practice.
Skills and qualities of a clinical nurse specialist
Clinical nurse specialists require a broad and advanced skill set combining clinical knowledge with leadership and interpersonal strengths. Below are some of the key skills and qualities they typically possess:
Advanced clinical expertise
As a clinical nurse specialist, you’re recognised as an expert in your specialty. This means having the technical skills to perform advanced assessments, a strong theoretical foundation to guide decision-making and the confidence to act swiftly in critical situations.
Strong leadership
Competent leadership is essential in a clinical nurse specialist role as you will educate, mentor and support junior nurses, helping them develop the confidence and skills needed to provide high-quality care. Whether it be guiding them through complex procedures, offering encouragement during challenging moments or sharing the knowledge that you’ve acquired, your mentorship and leadership can help junior nurses become skilled and confident healthcare professionals.
The ability to problem-solve and think critically
As a clinical nurse specialist, you’ll often be faced with complex or ambiguous situations that require evidence-based decisions. This might involve recognising early signs of patient deterioration that others might miss or developing specialised treatment plans for a critically ill patient.
Effective communication
Strong communication skills are important in a clinical nurse specialist role. You’ll be working closely with multidisciplinary teams and regularly interact with other nurses, patients and their families. By communicating with clarity and confidence and adapting to each individual’s communication style, it can help with building trust and improving patient outcomes.
Empathetic approach
Clinical expertise is only part of what you bring to the role. As a clinical nurse specialist, you will also need to have an empathetic approach. As you may be caring for patients and their families at some of their most vulnerable moments, demonstrating empathy ensures they feel listened to, understood and valued.
Adaptability and resilience
Working as a clinical nurse specialist means that you may often be placed in high-stakes situations where adaptability and resilience is essential. You may need to adjust care plans when resources are limited, step in to manage a crisis or support staff through a sudden surge in patients. Resilience allows you to remain calm under pressure and continue delivering high-quality, safe and patient-centred care in even the most stressful circumstances.
Commitment to lifelong learning
Being recognised as a subject-matter expert means the need to commit to continual growth. You would need to stay on top of emerging research, new technologies and best practice guidelines. This might mean pursuing further study, attending conferences and ensuring that your continuing professional development (CPD) learning is used to broaden your knowledge and skills in your area of expertise.
Why choose a career as a clinical nurse specialist?
You want to be recognised as an expert in your field
If you’re passionate about a particular area of nursing, becoming a clinical nurse specialist allows you to deepen your knowledge in a specific area and be recognised as a trusted expert. While it does require years of experience and postgraduate study, the reward comes in being able to share your expertise, guide others and improve patient care in your area of specialty.
You want opportunities to lead
A clinical nurse specialist role is unique in that it combines direct patient care with leadership. While you’ll care for patients, you’ll also be able to mentor, support and educate junior nurses. If you enjoy the hands-on part of nursing, but also want the opportunity to relay the information you’ve learned and shape the next generation of nurses, this could be the role for you.
You want variety in your work
Alongside managing everyday clinical cases, you’ll often be consulted on more complex or ambiguous cases that require advanced decision-making. If you thrive on variety, enjoy problem-solving and want a career that keeps you on your toes, you could be well-suited to a clinical nurse specialist role.
You want to influence healthcare on a larger scale
As a clinical nurse specialist, your impact extends beyond the bedside. As part of your role, other than providing clinical leadership, you may help to develop clinical policies and contribute to quality improvement initiatives across your workplace. If you’re looking to extend your sphere of influence and make an impact on a larger scale, a clinical nurse specialist role could be for you.
You want a career that’s flexible
An appealing aspect of being a clinical nurse specialist is the flexibility it offers. Even within a single specialty, your career could span across hospitals, aged care facilities, specialist clinics or even rural and remote areas. This flexibility means that you can tailor your career to your interests and lifestyle.
You are passionate about patient advocacy
Patient advocacy is central to the work of a clinical nurse specialist. In this role, you’re often the one ensuring that a patient’s voice is heard and their wishes are respected, even in high-pressure situations. Examples of patient advocacy in a clinical nurse specialist role may include making sure treatment plans reflect what matters most to the patient or challenging changes when you believe that it isn’t in the patient’s best interests.
You enjoy learning and developing yourself professionally
Continuous learning is central to being a clinical nurse specialist. Even after pursuing postgraduate study, the commitment to professional development doesn’t stop there. From attending workshops and conferences to researching the latest technologies, you’ll always be building your expertise and staying at the forefront of your specialty.
Pursue a fulfilling career as a clinical nurse specialist
If you’re ready to step into a role that merges advanced clinical expertise with leadership skills and the opportunity to improve healthcare practices, a clinical nurse specialist role could be the right career path for you.
If you already have an undergraduate nursing degree and would like to advance your career, explore the wide range of postgraduate nursing courses available on GlobalHealth Education. Healthcare courses are also offered in other disciplines such as psychology, counselling, mental health, public health, leadership and management, nursing and social work.
Book a professional development strategy call with our Education Consultant, Catriona.
