Which nurse provides direct patient care and expert consultations in one of many nursing specialties; master's degree training required?

• A. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
• B. Certified Nurse Midwives
• C. Clinical Nurse Specialists
• D. Nurse Practitioners

Answer: (C)

A Clinical Nurse Specialist fits this description because they are an advanced practice nurse who combines direct patient care with expert consultation within a specific nursing specialty. CNSs focus on a particular patient population, clinical setting, or health issue, and they use their advanced knowledge to guide care, lead quality improvement, and educate other staff. Their master's degree supports both the hands-on clinical work and the leadership/consultation role that helps elevate practice across a unit or organization.

The other roles also involve advanced training and direct patient care, but their primary focus is delivering a specialized service—such as anesthesia, obstetric care, or general primary care—rather than serving as the ongoing expert consultant across a specialty.