Build on your bachelor's degree

The College of Nursing has developed a unique program for prospective students who:

1. Have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing area and
2. Are also interested in pursuing a career in nursing

This pre-licensure program will allow individuals to earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree by building on the foundation of their prior degree. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the national licensing exam (NCLEX) and earn RN licensure. They are also eligible to test for certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL).

What is a Clinical Nurse Leader?

The Clinical Nurse Leader or CNL is an emerging nursing role being developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in collaboration with leaders from the education and practice arenas. AACN is advancing the CNL to improve the quality of patient care and to better prepare nurses to thrive in the health care system. The CNL role emerged following research and discussion with stakeholder groups as a way to engage highly skilled clinicians in outcomes-based practice and quality improvement.

What can I do with this degree?

In practice, the CNL oversees the care coordination of a distinct group of patients and actively provides direct patient care in complex situations. This master's degree-prepared clinician puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery. The CNL evaluates patient outcomes, assesses cohort risk, and has the decision-making authority to change care plans when necessary. The CNL is a leader in the health care delivery system, and the implementation of this role will vary across settings.

The MSN-Clinical Nurse Leader program will provide a high quality theoretical and clinical education in nursing without duplicating previous coursework. Students will be prepared to enter the nursing workforce with an education and experience that also prepares them to pursue advanced nursing degrees.

Learn more about the Clinical Nurse Leader role

Visit the AACN web site.