Nursing is a diverse field with many avenues to pursue depending on your ambitions. Registered nurses (RNs) hold the most common nursing position, and some RNs use this as a platform. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) starts your career as an RN and opens the door to other positions.
Such positions, like clinical nurse specialists and leaders, carry more responsibilities and require a master’s degree. The extra work and 2-4 years of further education come along with a chance to earn a higher salary. Even still, the differences between requirements, responsibilities, and career paths between nursing positions are confusing.
While each nursing position offers great opportunities, they are all unique and require special skills. Follow along as we explore how the responsibilities of clinical nurses and registered nurses differ.
Clinical Nurses vs. Registered Nurses
Clinical nurse specialists and registered nurses share many key similarities. However, they differ when it comes to responsibilities, opportunities, and education requirements. The biggest differences between clinical nurses and registered nurses include:
Education
Education is one of the biggest differences between registered nurses and clinical nurse specialists or leaders. However, both positions require at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree to begin their careers. It takes 4 years to graduate from nursing school with a BSN, and it is the minimum requirement to become a licensed nurse.
Clinical nurse specialists and leaders require further education as they must get a master’s degree in nursing. This degree typically takes an extra 2 to 4 years to obtain depending on your education schedule. For example, many people pursue a master’s degree in nursing while working as a registered nurse.
Responsibilities
Registered nurses must directly take care of patients and monitor their vitals. Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) and specialists (CNSs) can perform the same tasks, but they serve as supervisors more than caregivers. While they do provide patient care, clinical nurses must also support and sometimes mentor their fellow nurses.
There is even some overlap between the responsibilities of doctors and clinical nurses. For example, clinical nurses often order tests, diagnose illnesses, and come up with treatment plans. However, clinical nurse leaders rely on help from registered nurses to complete their duties and ensure great patient care.
Once you’re a clinical nurse specialist, you can work your way up to being a CNL. CNLs help impose policies, monitor data, enforce compliance, and keep track of new medical trends. This position is just as much about leadership as patient care.
Career Path
Both RNs and CNSs or CNLs have plenty of opportunities for upward mobility. Granted, you have fewer opportunities to grow into bigger positions once you’re a clinical nurse leader. That’s because a clinical nurse leader is among the highest positions a nurse can hold.
However, a registered nurse can pursue further education to become a clinical nurse or even administrator eventually. Once you have a BSN, you can work toward a position as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse midwife. RNs can also pursue advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) roles upon getting a master’s degree.
There are also many great non-clinical career opportunities for RNs. Similarly, clinical nurse specialists can become leaders, nurse practitioners, and nurse anesthetists. It’s relatively easier to advance your career as a clinical nurse as you already have a master’s degree.
Salary
Clinical nurse specialists and leaders typically earn higher salaries than registered nurses. This primarily has to do with the extra responsibilities and education requirements. For example, the median salary for an RN is $77,600 while clinical nurse specialists had a median salary of $129,480 in 2023.
The extra income that you can earn as a CNS naturally encourages many RNs to pursue a master’s degree. Keep in mind that how much you earn as a CNS, CNL, and RN varies by state, hospital, and medical practice. Seniority is another factor that affects how much you earn in any nursing position.
The prospect of earning a high salary as an RN while pursuing a master’s degree is promising. It’s a great way to open the door to earning more money as a CNS or CNL without sacrificing income in the meantime.
Choosing the Best Position for You
Starting as a registered nurse ultimately provides unlimited opportunities to grow and pursue different nursing positions. After all, it is the basic nursing position that anyone with a BSN and license can pursue. However, your experience as an RN can help you determine whether you want to become a clinical nurse or nurse practitioner. It’s worth soaking up your surroundings, trusting your mentors, and gaining on-the-job experience before you pick your ideal nursing position.
EDTECH 4 BEGINNERS 
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