School of Nursing | MSN Program
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Track
Credits: 42
Clinical Hours: 540
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Track prepares the graduate to work as a CNS in adult health. She/he
will be able to practice in a wide variety of heath care settings by providing direct patient care,
consultation for nursing staff, and improving health care delivery systems. CNS practice assists patients
by integrating nursing practice with medical diagnosis and treatment with the goal of improving patient
outcomes. The graduate is qualified to sit for the ANCC Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health exam.
Students are admitted to the program once each year based upon competitive selection. Selection is
based upon the applicant’s qualifications (academic and professional), the applicant’s strengths as
compared to other applicants, and upon the number of available openings.
Courses:
1st Semester
NURS 640
NURS 634
NURS 6xx
Theory
3 credits
Advanced Health Assessment(45 hours clinical) 3 credits
Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing
1 credit
2nd Semester
NURS 638
NURS 636
NURS 656
Advanced Pathophysiology
Advanced Pharmacology
Educational Program Development
3 credits
3 credits
2 credits
3rd Semester
NURS 642
NURS 6xx
NURS 6xx
Health Policy
Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
Leadership
2 credits
2 credits
3 credits
Advanced Clinical Concepts
Research
Clinical Concepts Practicum- Management/
Education
2 credits
3 credits
Culminating Experience - Portfolio
Clinical Concepts Practicum – Adult Case Mgt.
Clinical Concepts Practicum – quality
Improvement
1credit
3 credits
Culminating Experience - project
Transition to CNS Practice
3 credits
3 credits
4th Semester
NURS 670
NURS 654
NURS 6xx
5th Semester
NURS 6xx
NURS 671
NURS 6xx
6th Semester
NURS 691
NURS 6xx
2 credits
3 credits