MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader Concentration

Major: Nursing: Clinical Nurse Leader Concentration
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Total Credit Hours: 48.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.3801
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 29-1141

About the Program

The MSN Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) track is designed to prepare nurses for an evolving advanced generalist role which incorporates advanced knowledge, skill, and clinical expertise in an evidence-and-quality-driven context. The CNL oversees care coordination of a distinct group of patients, is a resource for clinical decision making, and serves as lateral integrator of care. This clinical leader puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery. The CNL collects and evaluates patient outcomes, assess cohort risk, and has the decision-making authority to change care plans when necessary. This clinician functions as part of an interdisciplinary team by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly with other health care professionals including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, therapists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners. The CNL is a leader in the health care delivery system across all settings in which health care is delivered. The program emphasizes the development of competencies related to the use of technology, evidence-based practice, customization of care, health team and interdisciplinary leadership, and outcome and risk assessment.

This online masters program prepares nurses to function effectively in a quickly changing, increasingly complex clinical care environment. Students have the opportunity to develop advanced competencies and depth of knowledge as clinical nurse leaders. The program emphasizes evidence-based approaches to solve clinical problems, assessment and evaluation of nursing and health care outcomes, clinical decision-making, lateral care integration, clinically-based leadership and the design of nursing care for clinical populations at the clinical unit or similar small system level.

Clinical practicum experiences include development and management of a data driven project which provides opportunities for students to deepen evidenced base practice competencies in the management of clients’ health care needs at the point-of-care. Precepted clinical experiences will include activities such as modeling of care, assessment and evaluation of aggregate patient outcomes, case management and service integration, unit and interdisciplinary team leadership, as well as teaching and mentoring of staff.

Full- and part-time enrollment options are available.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Additional Information

For more information about this program, contact:

Mr. Redian Furxhiu
Student Services Manager
rf53@drexel.edu
267.359.5691

Additional information is also available on Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions MSN in Clinical Nurse Leader  web page and on the Drexel University Online MSN Clinical Nurse Leader web page.

Admission Requirements

• BSN from a program fully accredited by NLN and or CCNE.
• 3.0 or above on all previous coursework or the last 60 credits completed. Applications from RN’s with GPA < 3.0 may be considered on an individual basis.
• Official transcripts from all previous educational institutions are required.
• Two professional references required from colleagues or supervisors who can attest to the applicant’s knowledge, skill, and potential aptitude for graduate study.
• Personal Statement describing why the student is interested in this MSN Degree.
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume.
• Copy of Current US RN license required.
• Copies of any Advanced Practice Nursing Licensure and Certification Documents.
• While specific experience is not required for applicants to the track, previous related work experience may make an applicant more competitive.

International applicants must possess a BSN (or its equivalent) and current US RN license.

TOEFL Requirement

International Applicants, as well as Immigrants to the US and US Permanent Residents, whose native language is not English, and who have not received a Bachelor’s degree or higher in the US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or the United Kingdom, and must show proficiency in English speaking as well as listening, writing and reading. US citizens born on US military bases abroad may be waived from the TOEFL requirement after providing documentation of this status. Otherwise, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

If you take the TOEFLiBT exam, you are required to have a minimum combined score for the listening, writing and reading sections of 79 Plus a speaking section score of 26 or higher.

If you take the TOEFL, you are required to have a minimum score of 550 or higher and a Test of Spoken English score (TSE) of 55 or higher.

Additional Information

For more information about this program, contact:

Mr. Redian Furxhiu
Student Services Manager
rf53@drexel.edu
267-359-5691

Additional information is also available on Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions MSN in Clinical Nurse Leader web page and on Drexel University Online's MSN Clinical Nurse Leader web page.

Degree Requirements 

Additional Information

For more information about this program, contact:

Mr. Redian Furxhiu
Student Services Manager
rf53@drexel.edu
267.359.5691

Additional information is also available on Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions MSN in Clinical Nurse Leader  web page and on Drexel University Online MSN Clinical Nurse Leader web page.

Sample Plan of Study