Master of Science in Nursing Program

Clinical Nurse Leader

Overview:

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a new role being developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in collaboration with nursing education and practice leaders. 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. To support the creation of this new nursing role, AACN has launched a national pilot project involving almost 90 education-practice partnerships in 35 states and Puerto Rico . Partners are working together to develop master's degree programs to prepare CNLs, integrate this clinician into the health care system, and evaluate outcomes. (AACN, http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/FactSheets/CNLFactSheet.htm , accessed 2/7/06 ). The UWOSH CON and Affinity first partnered for a pilot project. Partners will expect the involved candidates to enhance nursing, and medical and support services for the selected initiatives.  The Affinity initiative is pain management, healing practices and comfort care services, however partners may have other offerings and initiatives dependent on the candidates' experiences and needs of the communities and institutions involved.

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 not an Advanced Practice role and thus the CNL is not a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner however, the CNL is a leader in the health care delivery system, and the implementation of this role will vary across settings.

Student Qualifications & Enrollment:

Any qualified BSN-prepared RN may apply for the program of study. The applicant will use the usual process for graduate application, meeting required prerequisites for the Master's program and specifically the CNL emphasis. Prerequisites include basic health assessment, statistics, and a microbiology course.

Recommended Plan of Study as of 2-28-08

Prerequisites: Statistics, Microbiology, Basic Health Assessment *

* An acceptable* 3 credit undergraduate statistics course completed within the past 5 years ( B grade or higher), previous microbiology course taken, and an acceptable basic health assessment course completed within the past 2 years ( B grade or higher) or validated use of all health assessment skills. (See Admission requirements)