Clinical Nurse Specialist Jobs in Santa Clara, CA
A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is a highly skilled professional in the nursing industry who delivers direct patient care and expert consultations in one of many nursing specialties, such as oncology, pediatrics, palliative care, and others. They play a key leadership role in healthcare organizations, driving change, enhancing patient safety, and improving the quality of care. Their responsibilities include diagnosing and treating health conditions, educating patients and their families about disease management, and conducting research to advance healthcare practices. They also play a significant role in staff education and mentorship, and policy development.
Before becoming a CNS, a person might have roles such as a Registered Nurse (RN), Charge Nurse, or Nurse Educator, acquiring a broad base of clinical experience. To become a CNS, a person must have a Master's or Doctoral degree in a specialized area of nursing, and they must also hold the necessary certifications relative to their specialty. These may include an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist-BC, Acute/Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist-Adult-Gerontology, or Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist-BC, among others. Important skills for a CNS include leadership, effective communication, critical thinking, and advanced clinical skills in their specialty area.
Interim Leadership - Leadership - Clinical Nurse Specialist
- San Jose, CA (3 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 19 hours ago
- San Jose, CA (3 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 19 hours ago
Unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) state license with which you practice required. Minimum of two years experience supervising an ambulatory clinic operation including RN, LVN and MA staff....
Acute Clinical Nurse Specialist - CVICU
- San Gregorio, CA (22 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 3 days ago
- San Gregorio, CA (22 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 3 days ago
Active Registered Nurse (RN) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) licensure in California (or eligibility for licensure). Compensation & Benefits: Competitive salary with sign-on bonus....
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), BMT
- Palo Alto, CA (12 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 6 days ago
- Palo Alto, CA (12 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 6 days ago
Licenses and Certifications RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure And/Or Compact State Licensure and CNS - Clinical Nurse Specialist and BLS - Basic Life Support These principles apply to ALL employees...
Nursing Professional Development Specialist - Inpatient Psych
- Santa Clara, CA
- 8 days ago
- Santa Clara, CA
- 8 days ago
License, Certification, Registration Registered Nurse License (California) required at hire Basic Life Support Additional Requirements: Knowledge of Nurse Practice Act, federal, state, and local requirements...
Nursing Professional Development Specialist - PeriOp
- Redwood City, CA (17 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 11 days ago
- Redwood City, CA (17 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 11 days ago
License, Certification, Registration Registered Nurse License (California) required at hire Basic Life Support Additional Requirements: Knowledge of Nurse Practice Act, federal, state, and local requirements...
Nursing Professional Development Specialist - Endoscopy AND Proc
- Palo Alto, CA (12 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 19 days ago
- Palo Alto, CA (12 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 19 days ago
Job Details A Brief Overview As the Nursing Professional Development Specialist, your main responsibilities (NPDS) is a registered nurse who enhances professional competence and fosters growth among...
Nursing Professional Development Specialist
- Newark, CA (12 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 19 days ago
- Newark, CA (12 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 19 days ago
Job Details A Brief Overview As the Nursing Professional Development Specialist, your main responsibilities (NPDS) is a registered nurse who enhances professional competence and fosters growth among...
GI and CNS Radiation Oncology Clinical Instructor
- Palo Alto, CA (12 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 24 days ago
- Palo Alto, CA (12 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 24 days ago
Work type: CE - Clinician Educator Location: Stanford University Categories: School of Medicine The Department of Radiation Oncology at Stanford University seeks a board certified or board...
Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
- San Jose, CA (3 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 26 days ago
- San Jose, CA (3 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 26 days ago
We are seeking a(an) Clinical Nurse Specialist NICU to join our healthcare family....
GI and CNS Radiation Oncology Clinical Instructor Stanford University
- Stanford, CA (12 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 27 days ago
- Stanford, CA (12 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 27 days ago
The Department of Radiation Oncology at Stanford University seeks a board certified or board eligible radiation oncologist to join as a Clinical Instructor in the Clinician Educator Line, with a...
Nursing Professional Development Specialist - NICU
- Santa Clara, CA
- 60+ days ago
- Santa Clara, CA
- 60+ days ago
License, Certification, Registration Registered Nurse License (California) required at hire Basic Life Support Additional Requirements: Knowledge of Nurse Practice Act, federal, state, and local requirements...
- Palo Alto, CA (12 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 60+ days ago
- Palo Alto, CA (12 miles from Santa Clara, CA)
- 60+ days ago
Licenses and Certifications RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure And/Or Compact State Licensure and CNS - Clinical Nurse Specialist and BLS - Basic Life Support These principles apply to ALL employees...
Nursing Professional Development Specialist - ICU
- Santa Clara, CA
- 90+ days ago
- Santa Clara, CA
- 90+ days ago
Job Summary: Serves as mid-level, experienced professional nursing and patient care services employee development role that leverages the application of principles of adult learning in broad-based...
Nursing Professional Development Specialist - Peds/PICU
- Santa Clara, CA
- 90+ days ago
- Santa Clara, CA
- 90+ days ago
License, Certification, Registration Registered Nurse License (California) required at hire Basic Life Support Additional Requirements: Knowledge of Nurse Practice Act, federal, state, and local requirements...
Demographic Data for Santa Clara, CA
Moving to Santa Clara, CA? Find some basic demographic data about Santa Clara, CA below.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Online Courses and Training Opportunities
Salary for Clinical Nurse Specialist Jobs in Santa Clara, CA
Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Clinical Nurse Specialist positions.
Highest Education Level
Clinical Nurse Specialists in Santa Clara, CA offer the following education backgroundQualifications / Skill Sets
The following top skills are often required or desired to land a Clinical Nurse Specialist position
- Step-Down Care
- Vascular Access
- Nursing Management
- Cath Lab
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Catheterization
- Nursing Education
- Infusion
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Care Coordination
- Direct Care
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Interventions
- Clinical Skills
- Patient Care
- Acute Care
- Informatics
- Intensive Care Unit
- Patient Safety
- Critical Care
- Oncology
- Patient Education
- Performance Improvement
- Basic Life Support
- Pediatrics
- Nursing
- Clinical Research
- Quality Improvement
- Staff Development
- Health Care
- Educating
- Reimbursement
- Implementation
- Decision Making
- Documentation
- Flexibility
- Collaboration
- Employee Development
- Teaching
- Coaching
- Education Experience
- Critical Thinking
- Regulations
- Policy Development
- Problem Solving
- Team Building
- Research Skills
- Organization
- Customer Service
- Scheduling
- Leadership
- Communication Skills
Other Career Titles
Here are some other career titles that require similar skills
Clinical Nurse Specialist Related Career Advice Articles

Guide to Professional Nursing Associations
Healthcare is a dynamic and growing field. For nurses, professional organizations are highly valuable resources for the latest trends and best practices as well as key components of a successful career in an ever-changing industry.
Read article »
What is a Hospitalist RN?
Hospitalist RN is a relatively new role in healthcare. Review a hospitalist RN job description and find out more about their duties and responsibilities.
Read article »
APRNs: Challenges and Opportunities
Though the need for APRNs in the care system is growing, several barriers stand in the way of these men and women performing to the full extent of their abilities.
Read article »