ChristianaCare Logo Clinical Nurse Specialist - Medical Surgical

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Clinical Nurse Specialist - 5B Medical Unit

FT (M-F 8-10-hour Shift)

Wilmington, DE

ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital is seeking an experienced Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to lead and promote advancements in professionalism and competency within the nursing team. This role involves integrating and applying research findings into nursing practice to facilitate positive change.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will function as an Advanced Practice Clinician, providing direct patient care, educating staff and patients/families, offering consultation, and engaging in research activities.

Directions/Supervision Received:

Chief Nursing Officer / Nurse Manager

Principal Duties and Responsibilities include:

  • Acts as a clinical consultant and resource to patients, family, and staff in the area of specialty.

  • Provides advanced practice care and treatment for complex patients throughout the system.

  • Collaborates with professionals from multiple disciplines to enhance patient outcomes.

  • Appropriately utilizes advanced clinical decision-making skills.

  • Collaborates with the supervising psychiatrist regarding findings and recommendations of treatment.

  • Provides teaching and counseling to select patients and families.

  • Collaborates in the review of educational materials.

  • Assists staff in the development of innovative and cost-effective patient programs of care.

  • Utilizes, participates in, and disseminates research to enhance evidence-based practice.

  • Promotes research-based practice in the provision of nursing care.

  • Provides a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s current status, past psychiatric history, and mental status.

  • Consistently guides staff in professional development and acts as a mentor.

  • Actively participates in Performance Improvement initiatives.

  • Provides direct patient care as needed.

  • Demonstrates skills and knowledge necessary to provide coordination and continuity of care appropriate to adolescent, neonatal, and adult patients.  This includes knowledge of growth and development, the ability to obtain and interpret information to identify patient needs, and to provide the care needed.

  • Performs assigned work safely, adhering to established departmental safety rules and practices; reports to supervisor promptly any unsafe activities, conditions, hazards, or safety violations that may cause injury to oneself, other employees, patients, and visitors.

About Us

ChristianaCare is one of the country’s most dynamic healthcare organizations, centered on improving health outcomes, making high-quality care more accessible, and lowering healthcare costs. ChristianaCare includes an extensive network of outpatient services, home health care, urgent care centers, three hospitals (1,450 beds), a free-standing emergency department, a Level I trauma center, a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, a comprehensive stroke center, and regional centers of excellence in heart and vascular care, cancer care, and women’s health.

ChristianaCare Offers

  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, etc.

  • Two retirement planning offerings, including 403(b) with company contributions.

  • Generous paid time off with annual rollover and opportunities to cash out.

  • 12-week paid parental leave

  • Tuition assistance

  • Exceptional Work/Life balance benefits including annual membership to care.com, access to backup care services for dependents through Care@Work, retirement planning services, financial coaching, fitness and wellness reimbursement, and great discounts through several vendors for hotels, rental cars, theme parks, shows, sporting events, movie tickets, and much more!

Education And Experience Requirements:

  • Active Delaware RN Licensure or compact state license required.

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) license in the state of Delaware required.

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as a clinical nurse specialist required.

  • Professional Certification Required (Medical-Surgical Certification preferred).

  • At least five years of relevant clinical nursing experience in an inpatient hospital setting preferred.

  • Candidates must know the nursing process, research design, and possess the ability to engage with leadership, teaching, group dynamics, problem-solving, system coordination, and staff development

  • BLS certification required.

  • CNS Students with expected graduation date within 15 months are encouraged to apply.

Annual Compensation Range $100,152.00 - $160,243.20

This pay rate/range represents ChristianaCare’s good faith and reasonable estimate of compensation at the time of posting. The actual salary within this range offered to a successful candidate will depend on individual factors including without limitation skills, relevant experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination, whose staff is reflective of its community, and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

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5 Questions You Should Ask During the Interview


Here are 5 questions we think you could ask during your interview. Use them as a guide to help you write your own questions.

Remember: Always have at least 5 questions prepared for the interview. If you do not, you run the risk of looking unprepared.

What does success look like in this role, and how is it measured?

Why ask this? You want to ensure you have a clear understanding of expectations before accepting the role. Knowing how success is measured helps you hit the ground running and avoid surprises about performance evaluations. It also signals to the employer that you're results-driven.

Can you describe the team dynamic and the company culture?

Why ask this? Skills and experience matter, but if the work environment isn’t a good fit, you won’t be happy or productive. This question helps you gauge whether the company values collaboration, how teams interact, and whether the culture aligns with your work style and values.

What are the biggest challenges facing the person in this role right now?

Why ask this? Every job has challenges, and it’s better to know them upfront. This helps you assess whether the role is a good fit for your strengths and whether the company is realistic about its expectations. If they hesitate to answer, it could be a red flag.

How does the company support work-life balance and employee well-being??

Why ask this? Burnout is real, and some companies expect employees to sacrifice personal time for the job. By asking this, you’ll get a sense of how they value work-life balance, flexibility, and well-being—things that are crucial for job satisfaction and long-term success.

These questions help you make an informed decision while also showing your professionalism and strategic thinking!

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Job Data

Company: ChristianaCare

Location: Newark, DE

Posted: July 8, 2026

Category: Nursing