It is an upgraded practice that demands a Master's of Science degree in Nursing and a CNS certification for the specific line of business of involvement as oncology, psychiatry, cardiology, etc. A clinical nurse specialist helps in specialised research, advocacy, educational activity, and even management. This type of job is perfect for those leaning towards scholarly pursuits as it demands rigorous research, critical thinking, gathering of data, and different academic employments. The standard salary for CNS is $70,000-$80,000 a year but can easily approach to over $90,000 with experience.