What does a Clinical Nurse do?
Clinical nurses provide nursing care and manage a comprehensive range of tasks related to patient treatment, with the patient’s safety and well-being as the primary priorities. They perform initial assessments, document medical history and vital statistics, verify accuracy of information in records, and ensure all medical orders are followed correctly. They provide hands-on care, drawing upon their clinical knowledge. They may also oversee training programs and provide instruction to nursing students.
Clinical nurses typically must be licensed as a registered nurse, with all licenses and required credentials valid and in good standing. Some clinical nurses also have a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a healthcare field. They generally have a strong clinical background in a variety of medical settings. Interest or experience in teaching or training programs is an asset.
- Act as a resource to the patient care delivery staff.
- Develop and initiate a plan of care, involving patient and family.
- Consult, contribute to, and coordinate care with interdisciplinary healthcare team members.
- Accompany, assist, and represent the needs of patients to other providers.
- Coordinate and deliver patient education to individual and groups of patients.
- Collect and analyze significant patient's information that pertains to physical, psychological, socio-cultural, economic, spiritual, and life-style behaviors and efficiently leveraging available technology.
- Support onboarding of new team members and precepts as applicable.
- Apply communication practices that minimize risks across transitions of care.
- Lead process improvement initiatives.
- Job requires standing for prolonged periods, frequently traveling and bending/stooping.
- Support departmental responsibilities consistent with the long-range strategic plan, mission, vision and values of the hospital.
- Initiate and anticipate individualized care and education for patients/families across the continuum using an interdisciplinary approach.
- Maintain professional records that provide evidence of competence and learning.
- Practice proper safety techniques in accordance with hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
- Coordinate and provide care utilizing the critical thinking framework known as the nursing process.
- Represent the organization positively within the community. participate in company-supported community/patient events and in-services.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in nursing.
- Specialty certification or licensing for clinical settings.
- Experienced with Microsoft applications including Outlook, Excel, and Powerpoint.
- A problem solver with demonstrated success.
- Fluency in HIPAA laws and regulations.
- Use sound judgment and attention to detail alongside time management to assist patients with sometimes stressful and difficult decisions.
- Comfortable acting in the role of advocate for patients and physicians/staff.
- Work with teams in a collaborative environment and calls upon expertise and leads with decision making when necessary.
- Experienced with the diagnosis and treatment of infectious and terminal disease and illness.
- Deploy leadership skills during ICU events, such as in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
How much does a Clinical Nurse make?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$93,066
/ yrClinical Nurse Career Path
Learn how to become a Clinical Nurse, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Clinical Nurse Insights
AccentCare“The compensation is far better than what being offered by other hospices in this area.”
The Vancouver Clinic“good learning experience and place to start your career”
University of Hong Kong“Good medical benefits and holidays”
Palos Health“Teamwork and cohesiveness was definitely a good quality”
First Coast Service Options, Inc.“Work/life balance can be difficult.”
HCR Home Care“Manager is willing to teach and help when needed.”
Baxter“Pay is not the best but I believe it is comparable to the market”
Tower Health“career support is not consistent”
Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Clinical Nurse
- Minimum Data Set Coordinator
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Nurse Manager
- Home Health Nurse