Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS Certified) - Cardiac Stepdown

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS Certified) - Cardiac StepdownWork Arrangement: On-SiteLocation: Durham, NC, US, 27710HIRING INCENTIVES $7500 Commitment Bonus (paid in four equal installments over 2 years). Relocation assistance up to $8,000 available for Nurses relocating greater than 50 miles to Durham, NC.Job Description Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) - Cardiac Stepdown Services Duke University Hospital | Duke Heart Center Advance Cardiovascular Nursing Practice at One of the Nation's Leading Academic Health Systems Duke University Hospital is seeking an experienced Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to join the Duke Heart Center and serve as the clinical practice, quality, and patient safety expert for our cardiovascular stepdown services. This highly visible leadership role supports six cardiac stepdown and intermediate care units encompassing approximately 200 beds and caring for some of the most complex cardiovascular patients in the region. The CNS partners closely with nursing, physician, quality, and educational leaders to improve patient outcomes, advance professional nursing practice, and lead evidence-based innovation across the continuum of cardiac care. As a member of Duke Health's robust Clinical Nurse Specialist practice, you will join a collaborative community of more than 35 CNSs across multiple specialties while working alongside a dedicated Cardiovascular Critical Care CNS to support seamless care across the Heart Center.Why Join Duke Health? At Duke, Clinical Nurse Specialists are recognized as essential clinical leaders who influence care at the patient, nurse, and system levels. In this role, you will have the opportunity to:Lead quality, safety, and practice initiatives across cardiovascular stepdown unitsInfluence care delivered to patients with advanced heart failure, heart transplantation, LVADs, mechanical circulatory support devices, structural heart disease, electrophysiology conditions, and complex cardiothoracic surgical proceduresPractice within a mature CNS infrastructure led by dedicated CNS leadershipFocus on professional practice and outcomes improvement rather than routine staffing responsibilitiesCollaborate with a dedicated Heart Center nurse researcherParticipate in research, evidence-based practice, publication, and national presentationsJoin an organization committed to professional development, innovation, and nursing excellenceWhat You'll Do As the Cardiac Stepdown CNS, you will serve as a clinician, consultant, educator, researcher, change agent, and systems leader. Key responsibilities include:Clinical Practice LeadershipServe as the advanced clinical expert for complex cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery populationsConsult on challenging patient care situations and support evidence-based clinical decision-makingDevelop, implement, and evaluate innovative care strategies designed to improve outcomes and patient experienceFacilitate safe transitions of care and promote patient and family engagementQuality, Safety, and Outcomes ImprovementLead quality and patient safety initiatives across cardiovascular stepdown servicesAnalyze clinical and operational outcomes data to identify opportunities for improvementDesign, implement, and evaluate interventions that improve patient outcomes and nursing-sensitive indicatorsSupport system-wide implementation of evidence-based standards, guidelines, policies, and protocolsProfessional Practice and Staff DevelopmentMentor nurses and interdisciplinary team members in evidence-based practice and clinical excellenceSupport professional growth through formal and informal education, coaching, and consultationFoster a culture of inquiry, continuous learning, and professional accountabilityResearch and Evidence-Based PracticeTranslate emerging evidence into clinical practiceLead and support evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and research initiativesContribute to scholarly dissemination through presentations, publications, and professional engagementSystems LeadershipPartner with operational, quality, and educational leaders to advance strategic prioritiesIdentify system-level barriers and lead sustainable improvement effortsInfluence practice across the Heart Center through collaboration, innovation, and leadershipThe Ideal Candidate We are seeking an experienced CNS who is passionate about improving outcomes for complex cardiovascular patients and developing the nurses who care for them. Successful candidates will bring:Strong clinical expertise in cardiac, cardiovascular, critical care, stepdown, or cardiothoracic surgery populationsExperience leading change, quality improvement, or evidence-based practice initiativesExcellent consultation, communication, and partnership skillsA commitment to advancing both nursing practice and patient outcomesInterest in scholarship, dissemination, and professional leadershipWhile new CNS graduates may be considered, this role is most appropriate for candidates with substantial cardiovascular nursing expertise and a demonstrated ability to influence practice in complex clinical environments.Required Qualifications Education Graduate of an accredited MSN or DNP Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist program Licensure Current unrestricted RN license issued by or recognized by the North Carolina Board of Nursing with recognition to practice as a CNS in North Carolina Certification Adult-Gerontology CNS certification (AGCNS-BC, ACCNS-AG, or equivalent) Experience Minimum 5 years of RN clinical experience required. Inpatient cardiovascular nursing experience strongly preferredJoin Duke Heart Center If you are looking for an opportunity to influence cardiovascular care at scale, mentor the next generation of nurses, lead meaningful quality and safety improvements, and practice within one of the nation's most established CNS programs, we invite you to explore a career with Duke Health. Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.