The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) masters concentration prepares nurse leaders who design, provide, manage and coordinate health promotion, risk reduction, disease prevention and illness management services to individuals and clinical populations. The CNL is accountable for the application of research-based information and the efficient and cost effective use of resources to improve clinical and environmental care outcomes and effect change in health care organizations. The graduate is prepared to lead both intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary health care teams, and to function across clinical settings in order to meet the demands of a complex care delivery system. The Master of Science Program in the School of Nursing is implemented through the collaborative efforts of faculty in the School of Nursing and local leaders in nursing practice. This program addresses the competencies and knowledge specified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for Masters Education and for the specific Clinical Nurse Leader focus. The school of Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The graduate is prepared to take the CNL certification examination prepared by The American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC). Each student will gain experiential learning through several clincal internships to be arranged in the student's area.

CNL Program Objectives:

At the completion of the program the graduate will be prepard to:  

• Implement the CNL role in a variety of clinical settings. 

• Apply advanced knowledge (pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessment) and core competencies (critical thinking, communication, nursing technology/resources) to the development and evaluation of a plan of care for individuals or populations at the point of care. 

• Assume accountability for the efficient and cost effective use of human, environmental and national resources by applying principles of healthcare policy, finance, economics and ethics to improve quality of care delivery. 

• Integrate knowledge of informatics, human diversity and ethics to address and manage variation in population outcomes and ensure culturally relevant care. 

• Implement evidence-based practices and professional standards of care to affect change in health care organizations and improve outcomes of care. 

• Apply principles of leadership and collaboration to improve the health outcomes of individuals and clinical populations. 

• Improve clinical practice and optimize healthcare outcomes through use of information systems and technologies. 

• Advocate for the client, interdisciplinary care team and profession in legislative and regulatory arenas. 

Admission Criteria:

Students must meet the general requirements of both the University of Massachusetts Amherst Graduate School and the School of Nursing, and must have a baccalaureate degree from a nationally accredited school of nursing or be a registered nurse with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree. The School of Nursing uses the degree-granting institution grade point average (GPA) as one measure of an applicant’s academic potential. A successful applicant will typically have a GPA of 3.0 or above. If the GPA is less than 3.0, the applicant may still apply and be considered for admission, but might wish to submit a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score if they feel that their GPA does not accurately reflect their abilities. Applicants must also provide official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs attended, documentation of RN licensure, TOEFL scores (if needed), and evidence of courses in undergrad level Health Assessment (or equivalent) and Elementary Statistics. Applicants should provide a sample of their own scholarly writing, a written statement of professional goals, and two letters of recommendation. Application Deadline is February 1 each year. (Admission decisions are completed by April)  

 

 

 

(revised 6/30/07 nkj)