Medical-Surgical Nurse Specialist

**Semantic type:** Professional or Occupational Group

**Definition:** Graduate-prepared clinical specialists in Medical-Surgical Nursing provide care for individuals who have a known or predicted physiological alteration. Clinical specialists demonstrate an in-depth understanding of complex medical-surgical problems, as well as interventions to manage and improve patient care. Guided by theory and research, their practice considers all influences on health status and the related social and behavioral problems arising because of the patient's physiological condition. Clinical specialists are engaged in education, case management, expert clinical practice, consultation, research, and administration. Clinical specialists practice in settings where primary, acute, or long-term nursing care is delivered. (ANCC)

**Synonyms:** - Clinical Specialist in Medical-Surgical Nursing