Payroll Title: CLIN NURSE OR ADV PRACT SPEC 4 Department: NURSING EDUCATION Hiring Pay Scale $184,000 - $209,000 / Year Worksite: Hillcrest Appointment Type: Career Appointment Percent: 100% Union: Uncovered Total Openings: 1 Work Schedule: Variable, 8 hrs/day, Monday-Friday

#141589 (CNS) Clinical Nurse Specialist-Nursing Education

Filing Deadline: Wed 10/21/2026 Apply Now
UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/12/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

UC San Diego Health is proud to be a four-time Magnet-designated organization and has now earned Magnet with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet is the gold standard for nursing excellence, achieved by only about 10% of hospitals worldwide. Magnet with Distinction is awarded to the highest-performing Magnet organizations, with only a select few earning this prestigious honor. This recognition reflects our commitment to transformational leadership, professional nursing excellence, innovation, exceptional patient outcomes, and an empowering practice environment where nurses thrive.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist is an advanced practice registered nurse who serves as a clinical expert. The CNS collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes, enhance evidence-based practice, and lead quality improvement initiatives across inpatient settings. Responsibilities include providing expert consultation for complex patient care issues, developing and evaluating clinical programs, educating nursing staff and healthcare professionals, and promoting patient safety and regulatory compliance.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an Advance Practice Registered Nurse prepared at the master’s or doctorate level and is certified as a CNS with the California Board of Registered Nursing. The CNS is part of the leadership team and collaborates with members of their team to provide and influence optimal patient care and service in their patient population. The CNS demonstrates the competencies within the three spheres of influence of their practice model which are (1) the patient/family, (2) nursing practice, and (3) the organization, with the patient being integral to their purpose and practice. The CNS encompasses the following roles: clinical expert, consultant, leader, educator, evidence-based practice advocate, inter and intradepartmental liaison, and resource professional. The CNS educates, guides, and mentors the nursing staff and health care team members in the provision of patient care at a local and system level.

Must be able to demonstrate effective communication skills and the ability to appropriately delegate assignments to other team members. Will use excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrate leadership ability to chair and actively participate on multidisciplinary teams, task forces, and committees. Will also have knowledge of department budgets and promote cost-effective utilization of resources. Is self-motivated and has a proven ability to work both independently and effectively as a team member with a variety of healthcare specialists.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN); and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the state of California.

• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) license issued by the state of California or licensure / certification in another advanced nurse practice discipline.

• BLS/CPR and ACLS certification at time of hire with commitment to get ART within six (6) months of hire date.

• Five (5+) or more years of recent and relevant clinical experience including critical care.

• Expert knowledge of one or more clinical specialty areas, and often broad knowledge of multiple specialties. Includes diagnoses, treatments, standards of practice, patient / family educational consulting, and resources.

• Expert knowledge of methodology for conducting evidence-based research, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

• Knowledge and utilization of advanced continuous quality improvement (CQI) techniques and evidence-based practice to improve clinical outcomes; ability to identify areas for improvement, and effectively applies the concepts of change theory to promote departmental change.

• Knowledge of adult learning principles and their application.

• Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assess highly-complex issues and develop multiple options for resolution.

• Advanced interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide education, training, and direction to nursing staff, and to develop positive working relationships with patients, families, employees, and outside agencies as required.

• Advanced skills in written and verbal communications, with the ability to convey complex and / or sensitive information in a clear and concise manner.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Three (3) or more years’ experience in the CNS role.
• Recent adult ICU or specialty care experience reflective of advanced nursing clinical knowledge and skills.
• ICU experience.
• Advanced computer knowledge, ability to research current practice, collation of statistical data, and development of appropriate presentation techniques.
• Current ANCC CNS certification and current professional certification (CCRN, ONCC).
• Experience with electronic health record.
• Experience with learning management system.
• Project management experience.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Must obtain specialty certification within one year of hire.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $136,600 - $267,600 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $65.42 - $128.16

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Apply Now

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading-edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

 

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

 

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

 

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace