Nursing (D.N.P.) - Clinical Nurse Leader Specialization

Program Outcomes

• To prepare graduates as clinicians and leaders with a special focus on rural and underserved populations. 
• To prepare graduates to deliver evidence-based direct patient care to individuals across the lifespan in primary care settings. 
• To prepare graduates to produce and implement scientific evidence to guide practice. 
• To prepare graduates to work collaboratively with frontier, urban, and rural communities in an effort to reduce health disparities.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the program, the graduate will successfully demonstrate the following student learning outcomes: 

• Integrate theoretical and scientific underpinnings of nursing and other disciplines to address emerging healthcare and practice issues.
• Engage in health policy at all levels to influence healthcare delivery concerns, such as health disparities, cultural sensitivity, ethics, access to care, health finance, and quality of care.
• Demonstrate leadership at the organizational and/or systems level to address health outcomes of individuals and populations though evidence-based initiatives.
• Utilize advanced nursing knowledge and information systems/technology related to clinical prevention and health promotion to address gaps in healthcare.
• Collaborate with the interprofessional team in the translation, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of evidence-based practice to improve healthcare outcomes.
• Employ evidence-based practice and advanced clinical judgment to comprehensively assess, design, and deliver care for individuals or populations.
• Utilize microsystem assessment data to design, implement and evaluate evidence- based interventions that improve safety and quality for selected populations (CNL Specific).

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Core Requirements

For additional information, refer to the Graduate Nursing Department webpage.

• HSC 502 - Rural Healthcare Matters Credits: 3
• HSC 631 - Biostatistics I Credits: 3
• NURS 615 - Foundations of Advanced Nursing Credits: 3
• NURS 623 - Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan - Application to Advanced Practice Nursing Credits: 2-4 (2 credits required)
• NURS 626 - Research in Nursing and Health Care Credits: 3
• NURS 630 - Advanced Assessment Across the Lifespan for the CNL/Nurse Educator Credits: 3
• NURS 644 - Introduction to the Clinical Nurse Leader Role Credits: 1
• NURS 644L - Introduction to the Clinical Nurse Leader Role Practicum Credits: 3
• NURS 645 - CNL Improvement Science: A Microsystem Approach Credits: 3
• NURS 645L - CNL Improvement Science: A Microsystem Approach Practicum Credits: 2
• NURS 646 - CNL Clinical Immersion and Project Credits: 1
• NURS 646L - CNL Clinical Immersion and Project Practicum Credits: 5
• NURS 670 - Health Policy, Legislation, Economics and Ethics Credits: 3
• NURS 675 - Cultivating a Practice of Cultural Humility in Healthcare Credits: 3
• NURS 750 - Transformational Leadership in Nursing Credits: 3
• NURS 760 - Advanced Concepts in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Credits: 3
• NURS 772 - Healthcare Technology and Informatics Credits: 3
• NURS 783 - Healthcare System Management and Evaluation Credits: 3
• NURS 784 - Quality Metrics for the CNL Credits: 2
• NURS 784L - Quality Metrics for the CNL Practicum Credits: 2
• NURS 800 - Introduction to the DNP-CNL Project Credits: 1
• NURS 800L - Introduction to the DNP-CNL Project Practicum Credits: 2
• NURS 860 - Health Operations and Financial Management for Nurse Leaders Credits: 3
• NURS 870 - DNP Project Proposal Development Credits: 2
• PHA 645 - Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan: Application to Advanced Practice Credits: 2-4 (2 credits required)

Additional Admissions Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Score of 81 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
IELTS: 6.5 total band
Duolingo: 110

Additional Admission Requirements for Bachelor’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice

In addition to meeting the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants for graduate study for the Bachelor’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice – Clinical Nurse Leader Specialization must have:

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
• 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to taking NURS 630.
• Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
• Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, and TB test.
• Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.

For applicants who completed their higher education within the United States:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

For applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:

• A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

General Requirements

Graduate students must consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework. For additional information, refer to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Requirements .