Job: Clinical nurse specialist in the medical/surgical and telemetry units at DeKalb Medical at Hillandale.
What I do: "As part of a system-wide team of nurse educators, and in collaboration with other health care disciplines, I formulate, renew and disseminate policies to ensure that our hospitals are providing quality care according to the safest and most current evidence-based practices."
How I got into this: "Although I feel I was 'called' to this position, my entry into nursing is not the conventional 'I always knew I wanted to be a nurse' scenario.
“When he was 3 years old, my now 29-year-old son became very ill. I had never felt more prayerful or helpless in my life. My prayers were indeed answered and I vowed to devote my life to attempt to provide to others the care and hope extended to me and my family by the stellar health care team of heroes who saved my son’s life.
“It was, and remains. the most humbling experience of my life.”
Best part of the job: "Being afforded the opportunity to put my spiritual beliefs into practice on a daily basis. I remain a work in progress, but this journey has undeniably added greater meaning to my life.
“Additionally, nursing is a dynamic profession that at its best requires life-long learning. It gives me a reason to constantly challenge myself both mentally and emotionally.
“Most importantly, this position has enabled me to not only give back to a profession that I truly believe in, it has allowed me front row seats into the wonderful dynamics of health care professionals working together for the single goal of positive patient outcomes.”
Most challenging part of my job: "Trying to get it all done."
What people don't know about my job: "That being a nurse is an absolute privilege! Nursing affords interactions amongst the most diverse population of human beings on the most intimate and profound levels. Nursing provides a window into the most humane and compassionate relationship between mankind; an honor I do not take lightly."
What keeps me going: "My family, friends, colleagues and the community I serve."
Preparation needed: "A master's degree in nursing with a focus in clinical specialty is an entry-level requirement. Along with nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists (CNS) are considered advanced practice nurses (APNs).
“As of Jan. 1, 2012, any APN wishing to use the title clinical nurse specialist in the state of Georgia will have to meet the education criteria and successfully sit for a title-protected certification exam.
“The CNS must be able to work in collaboration with others in the health care arena; therefore effective communication is a key requirement.
“Clinical expertise based on evidence-based practice to positively impact patient care, nursing practice and health care organizations is the core of the CNS practice.”
Based on clinical specialty education and geographical location, the CNS can also partner with physicians or independently diagnose, treat and manage an array of diseases.
“On-going education is, therefore, a must in the professional growth of the CNS.”
Salary: In Atlanta, the median salary for clinical nurse specialists is $88,260, according to salary.com.
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Compiled by John Brieske, Pulse managing editor. Got a health care job that you love? Please send email to jbrieske@ajc.com.
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