Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Specialist – Pediatric Hematology/Oncology & Inpatient Specialties

Join our team as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Specialist and bring your pediatric hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant expertise! This is a 100% FTE position typically working Monday through Friday, day shift hours. Some off hours or weekends may be required based on operational needs. You will primarily work at American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, WI.

About the role

Advance your professional nursing career at the #1 hospital in Wisconsin. This position may be filled as either a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Nurse Specialist (NS), based on your education, licensure, and qualifications.

• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): An APRN with advanced education and specialized clinical expertise who integrates care across direct patient care, nursing practice, and organizational/system levels.
• Nurse Specialist (NS): An RN with specialty expertise who serves as a clinical expert, mentor, consultant, and leader in evidence-based practice and quality improvement across patient care, nursing, and organizational settings.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a clinical expert supporting pediatric patients with complex hematology/oncology, bone marrow transplant, immunology, neuroscience, ENT, and plastics diagnoses across specialized inpatient settings at American Family Children’s Hospital.
• Advance nursing practice and improve patient outcomes through evidence-based practice, quality improvement initiatives, staff mentorship, and implementation of innovative care models and technologies.
• Support nurses caring for children undergoing advanced therapies including immunotherapy, MIBG therapy, hematopoietic stem cell and bone marrow transplant, as well as patients requiring specialized neurological, plastics, and ENT surgical care.
• Partner with interdisciplinary leaders and nursing teams to identify gaps in care delivery, improve clinical practice, and support both general care and intermediate care patient populations.
• Be part of an exciting period of growth supporting both the established Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant unit and the development of a new pediatric medical/surgical short stay unit.
• Collaborate with nursing leadership, CNS colleagues, educators, and program leaders to influence practice, support nursing excellence, and enhance care delivery for pediatric specialty populations.

Requirements

Pediatric experience in oncology and bone marrow transplant is highly preferred.

Qualifications

Clinical Nurse Specialist Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s Degree or doctoral degree in Nursing Required
• Work Experience: 3 years of relevant clinical nursing experience Required
• Previous experience as a clinical nurse specialist or other nurse leadership role Preferred
• Experience in an academic medical center Preferred
• Licenses & Certifications:
  • Licensed as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the state of Wisconsin Required
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) certification in areas of specialty or population focus Required
  • Basic Life Support CPR/BLS certification Required
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification within 6 months Required
  • Certification in specialty area of practice Preferred

Nurse Specialist Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Bachelor of Science – Nursing (BSN) Required
  • Must obtain Master’s degree in Nursing or doctoral degree (DNP) in relevant specialty within five (5) years of start date in the Nurse Specialist title Required
  • MSN or DNP within six (6) months of start date Preferred
  • Completion of graduate program for Clinical Nurse Specialist Preferred
• Work Experience: 3 years of relevant clinical nursing experience Required
• Previous experience in a nursing leader role Preferred
• Experience in an academic medical center Preferred
• Licenses & Certifications:
  • Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Wisconsin or holds a license issued by a jurisdiction that has adopted the nurse licensure compact Required
  • Basic Life Support CPR/BLS certification Required
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification within 6 months Required
  • Certification in specialty area of practice Preferred

Benefits

• Excellent benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans.
• Two-week paid parental leave and adoption assistance.
• Options for a variety of schedules and shifts that offer flexibility and work-life balance.
• Access to resources through the UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department supporting emotional, financial, and physical well-being.
• Acuity-based staffing ratios for optimal safety.
• Strong shared governance structure ensuring every nurse has a voice.
• Recognition and celebration of nursing excellence through several award programs.
• Tuition benefits eligibility for coursework associated with career advancement.
• Opportunity to earn a referral bonus for referring candidates to open positions.

Pay

Pay range is based on a full-time (100%) position and is prorated based on FTE. Relocation assistance may be available for qualified applicants.

About the workplace

American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin—a Magnet®-designated facility—provides specialized care in a healing environment designed especially for pediatric patients and their families. It is a comprehensive pediatric medical and surgical center with nationally recognized specialists, a Level One Pediatric Trauma Center, and a Level IV NICU serving patients throughout Wisconsin and beyond.