Summary

A developing nursing leader responsible for providing expertise in the practice of nursing to produce quality outcomes, promote evidence-based practice and demonstrate cost-effective practices via collaboration with the patient, nursing personnel, physicians and all applicable stakeholders. This Fellow, in conjunction with another nursing leader may serve as a practice resource for system-wide and hospital teams/task forces. The Clinical Nurse Specialist Fellow is a nurse who is pursuing the role of an Advanced Practice Nurse with a master’s degree in nursing and a specialty certificate. Nurses with a master’s degree who are not certified as a CNS may be eligible for this fellowship role as they complete their educational credentials to fulfill this role. The CNS Fellow reports to the Director Nursing Services who, along with a current CNS, functions as the Fellow’s mentor.

Education

Must have a BSN from accredited program. Must complete an MSN or post-graduate certificate from accredited Clinical Nurse Specialist program within 3 years of assuming the CNS fellowship position. Acceptable accrediting agencies are Commission on Collegiate Education in Nursing (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).

Licensure/Certification

RN license by Indiana State Board of Nursing. Current CPR certification. Must successfully complete an ANCC Clinical Nurse Specialist certification within six months of MSN-CNS degree graduation. Determination of the selected CNS certification will be made in conjunction with the Director of Nursing Research.

Experience

Candidates for the Clinical Nurse Specialist Fellow must have a minimum of two years active clinical nursing experience in specialty area preferred. Experience in the following areas is highly desirable in a fellowship candidate: education and training of staff, the development of patient educational materials and health literacy, quality improvement, management of a project or team that is multi-departmental or multispecialty.