Nursing Roles Graphic Organizer Template
Clinical Nurse
SpecialistNurse Educator Observations
(Similarities/Differences)
Ethics Clinical Nurse
Specialist have an expertise in moral and ethical decision-
making skills. CNS are leaders in healthcare. (NACNS 2019)
Analyzes the ethical impact of scientific advances, cost, clinical effectiveness on patient and family values, and preferences. Nurse educators have the responsibility of assisting students and their colleagues with understanding and practicing ethical conduct. The Nurse
Educator makes decisions, teaches and directs students and nurses on evidence-
based practices for inspiration and the implementation of all codes of conduct. Similarities: Both follows the
Nurses Code of Conduct in Nursing Practice and Education.
Differences: Nurse educators are set in a classroom setting or in a hospital where they teach the students during their clinical. Clinical Nurse
Specialist works in a hospital
or community setting where
they can diagnose, treat, prescribe and bill like other APRNs as allowed by their state regulations.
Education Must hold an MSN degree. The American Nurses Credentialing Center administers CNS certifications Not all specialties have their own certification exam. (NACNS 2023)Must hold an RN license. Having an MSN
degree is required to teach in the university.
Having a BSN is the first step to become an
educator. Similarities: Both specialties must have an RN license and
MSN degree from an accredited university. Both of them must pass their board certified specialty for CNS and educator (ANCC 2023) (NLN 2022)
Differences: Like all other APRNs, the CNS serves as a direct care provider and therefore the role requires a
clinical practicum of a minimum of 500 hours. (AACN 2023) © 2020. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved. Leadership The CNS serves as a mentor to other nursing professionals to advance the practice of nurses and nursing.Nurse educators in health care have a vital
leadership role as clinical experts, role models, mentors, change agents, and supporters of quality projects.Similarities: Both of them must have strong leadership
skills. Public Health Clinical nurse specialists are APRNs who are uniquely prepared to address health care delivery issues at micro, meso and macro levels: individual patient care within the context of their environment; advancing nursing care
through use of evidence with nurses; and leading change at the systems and population levels.
(NACNS 2019)Nurse educators are on the front lines teaching new nurses who are filling the shortages in hospitals and other health care settings. They may work in academic settings, but some expand their focus to teaching in schools, businesses, hospitals, and community agencies.Similarities: Both of them played an integral role for public health and community. Differences: CNS worked with actual patients. Nurse educators focus on public health and academic health teaching. Health Care AdministrationClinical nurse specialists have the skills and expertise to identify where the gaps are in health care delivery. They can help
design and implement interventions, and assess and evaluate those to improve overall health care delivery. (NACNS 2023)
They often work in management positions
and may also develop Nurse educators assist nurses with their advancement of studies and skill development. In the clinical setting, the nurse educator is responsible for implementing the most current research and standards of care into the clinical practice. Nurse educators participates in professional organizations and Similarities: Both of them are integral part of the health care administration as collaborators of improving the health care system. Differences: CNS carry out their work directly to the patients. Nurse educators work with the staffs to improve patient outcomes and gap analysis. 2
Clinical Nurse
SpecialistNurse Educator Observations
(Similarities/Differences)
Ethics Clinical Nurse
Specialist have an expertise in moral and ethical decision-
making skills. CNS are leaders in healthcare. (NACNS 2019)
Analyzes the ethical impact of scientific advances, cost, clinical effectiveness on patient and family values, and preferences. Nurse educators have the responsibility of assisting students and their colleagues with understanding and practicing ethical conduct. The Nurse
Educator makes decisions, teaches and directs students and nurses on evidence-
based practices for inspiration and the implementation of all codes of conduct. Similarities: Both follows the
Nurses Code of Conduct in Nursing Practice and Education.
Differences: Nurse educators are set in a classroom setting or in a hospital where they teach the students during their clinical. Clinical Nurse
Specialist works in a hospital
or community setting where
they can diagnose, treat, prescribe and bill like other APRNs as allowed by their state regulations.
Education Must hold an MSN degree. The American Nurses Credentialing Center administers CNS certifications Not all specialties have their own certification exam. (NACNS 2023)Must hold an RN license. Having an MSN
degree is required to teach in the university.
Having a BSN is the first step to become an
educator. Similarities: Both specialties must have an RN license and
MSN degree from an accredited university. Both of them must pass their board certified specialty for CNS and educator (ANCC 2023) (NLN 2022)
Differences: Like all other APRNs, the CNS serves as a direct care provider and therefore the role requires a
clinical practicum of a minimum of 500 hours. (AACN 2023) © 2020. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved. Leadership The CNS serves as a mentor to other nursing professionals to advance the practice of nurses and nursing.Nurse educators in health care have a vital
leadership role as clinical experts, role models, mentors, change agents, and supporters of quality projects.Similarities: Both of them must have strong leadership
skills. Public Health Clinical nurse specialists are APRNs who are uniquely prepared to address health care delivery issues at micro, meso and macro levels: individual patient care within the context of their environment; advancing nursing care
through use of evidence with nurses; and leading change at the systems and population levels.
(NACNS 2019)Nurse educators are on the front lines teaching new nurses who are filling the shortages in hospitals and other health care settings. They may work in academic settings, but some expand their focus to teaching in schools, businesses, hospitals, and community agencies.Similarities: Both of them played an integral role for public health and community. Differences: CNS worked with actual patients. Nurse educators focus on public health and academic health teaching. Health Care AdministrationClinical nurse specialists have the skills and expertise to identify where the gaps are in health care delivery. They can help
design and implement interventions, and assess and evaluate those to improve overall health care delivery. (NACNS 2023)
They often work in management positions
and may also develop Nurse educators assist nurses with their advancement of studies and skill development. In the clinical setting, the nurse educator is responsible for implementing the most current research and standards of care into the clinical practice. Nurse educators participates in professional organizations and Similarities: Both of them are integral part of the health care administration as collaborators of improving the health care system. Differences: CNS carry out their work directly to the patients. Nurse educators work with the staffs to improve patient outcomes and gap analysis. 2
