Clinical Nurse Leader (MSN) | Office | Website

Program Description
The Master of Science in Nursing with a major in Clinical Nurse Leadership (CNL) prepares an advanced generalist practitioner to provide clinical leadership at the point of service in a variety of practice settings.

Built from the core curriculum in other master’s degree programs, this advanced generalist nurse is differentiated from advanced practice nurses in their abilities to:

• manage complex clinical cases and provide leadership at the point of care;
• scan the practice environment to identify opportunities for quality and process improvements;
• use technology and informatics to support outcomes measurement; and
• lead teams in the delivery of health care in multiple settings across the care continuum.

This program assists nurses in developing advanced clinical knowledge, leadership skills, and systems knowledge to provide care and clinical leadership in all healthcare settings at the point of service; implement evidence based and outcomes-based practice; develop and implement quality improvement strategies; and create and manage microsystems of care that will be responsive to the needs of individuals and families. The program is designed to prepare nurse leaders who can address contemporary issues in an evolving health care environment. The program places emphasis on providing services to the medically underserved. The MSN degree with the CNL major requires 41 credit hours and completion of a clinical immersion project.

The MSON is committed to flexibility in the program and therefore offers full-time and part-time options for degree completion. The Master of Science in Nursing Degree is conferred at the completion of the program requirements. Graduates of the CNL program are eligible to sit for the Clinical Nurse Leader board certification examination offered by the CNC after meeting post-graduation criteria as stipulated by the AACN.

Accreditation
The nursing programs at the McAuley School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530 Washington, DC 20036-1120. Phone: (202) 887-6791, Fax: (202) 887-8476.

Admission Criteria:

• 1. A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program
• 2. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• 3. A minimum of 2000 hours of experience as a registered nurse
• 4. A license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Michigan
• 5. Three letters of professional recommendation with at least one from someone in supervisory capacity
• 6. An autobiographical statement of personal goals and objectives
• 7. An interview with graduate faculty