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Master of Science in Nursing

Clinical Nurse Leader

The MSN program at the University of Nevada, Reno is designed to prepare graduates in the emerging role of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). In response to healthcare and consumer needs, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing proposed the advanced practice role of the CNL in order to prepare effective leaders for health care delivery systems to work within all settings. A beginning CNL graduate would encompass the roles of clinician, outcomes manager, client advocate, educator, information manager, systems analyst, risk anticipator, team manager, member of a profession, and life-long learner (AACN, 2007). After successful completion of the Orvis School of Nursing MSN degree requirements (including a total of 420 clinical hrs; a minimum of 300 hrs in a supervised CNL role immersion practicum with an academic/practice partner), the CNL track graduate would meet the educational requirement to sit for the AACN CNL Certification Examination.

CNL Academic Practice Partner: Veterans Administration Sierra Nevada Health Care System

Upon completion of the Clinical Nurse Leader Track, the graduate is able to:

• Provide evidence-based care for individuals, families, and communities
• Focus on a specialized aggregate/population.
• Provide care for special populations by using system analysis and quality improvement strategies.
• Collaborate with other professionals, members of the community, and students to provide educational services related to optimal health care for individuals, families, special populations, and communities with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.
• Participate in the organization, management, and policy negotiation of healthcare delivery systems.
• Address complex needs of persons, including the underserved, populations and communities, in the role of nurse leader.
• Participate knowledgeably in the development, implementation, revision, and evaluation of nursing and health education programs to ensure quality education services in health care.
• Participate in the development of nursing education as a science, through the use of education and nursing theories, research, and scientific processes.

Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Leader Track

Total Credits: 35-37