Online Master’s in Clinical Nurse Leadership (CNL)
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“Nurses prepared as clinical nurse leaders are highly trained clinicians prepared to bring their knowledge of evidence-based practices to patient care and improve the health of patients in their care. The CNL degree ensures nurses have both the clinical skills and the leadership skills to advance healthcare.”
Fred Brown, DNP, RUSH University
To meet the demands of an ever-evolving field such as healthcare, qualified nurse leaders who can mitigate problems and deliver quality patient care are needed. Thus, many universities offer an online master’s program in clinical nurse leadership (CNL). These programs are meant to train practicing nurses in advanced nursing practice, transition management, and leadership.
A master’s program in clinical nurse leadership generally comprises of 35 to 40 credit-hours and can be completed in two years. Students explore topics such as biostatistics, care management and resources, finance for healthcare leaders, and healthcare informatics. These programs provide nurses with a holistic view of leadership in nursing and evidence-based practice.
Nurses who wish to take their careers to the next level in management can opt for a degree in nurse leadership. At the end of the program, graduates can also sit for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) CNL Certification Exam.
The following guide explores six exceptional online master’s programs in clinical nurse leadership and three notable faculty members from these programs.
| Featured Online CNL Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sacred Heart University | MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader | Visit Site |
| Sacred Heart University | RN-BSN-MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader | Visit Site |
| Walden University | MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner | Visit Site |
| Walden University | MSN - Pediatric NP (Primary Care) | Visit Site |
| Millersville University | Online MSN - School Nursing | Visit Site |
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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Meet the Expert: Fred Brown DNP, RN, CENP
Dr. Fred Brown teaches in the prelicensure, postlicensure and DNP programs. He has clinical expertise in the care of musculoskeletal patients. He has held positions as an orthopedic clinical nurse specialist for two orthopedic surgeons. His most recent roles included executive nursing leadership as associate vice president.
Dr. Brown has led several clinical areas, including post-operative joint replacement units, surgical ICUs, behavioral health units, emergency departments, medicine departments, and perioperative and interventional services. He is also a 22-year veteran of the Air Force and Navy Reserves as a nurse corps officer.
MHAOnline.com: What do you wish the public understood about MSN degrees in clinical nurse leadership?
Dr. Brown: Nurses prepared as clinical nurse leaders are highly trained clinicians prepared to bring their knowledge of evidence-based practices to patient care and improve the health of patients in their care. The CNL degree ensures nurses have both the clinical skills and the leadership skills to advance healthcare. Graduates of CNL programs are also in high demand and well-positioned for success in countless hospital and clinical settings.
MHAOnline.com: What advice would you give to aspiring clinical nurse leadership students?
Dr. Brown: If you’ve considered pursuing a CNL degree, you’re already on your way to becoming an excellent nurse. As you consider either returning to school or beginning your degree, keep in mind that the work you do will both advance your career and improve the health of people in your community. Nurses are in a unique position to have careers where we can live our passions as healthcare providers and have a long and steady career with flexibility and opportunity to grow.
Featured MS in Clinical Nurse Leadership
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online master of science in nursing (MSN) in clinical nurse leadership (CNL). Based on standards defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the program prepares nurses to improve the quality of care and safety in their healthcare facility.
Admission requirements for the program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0, and an active unencumbered registered nursing license, among other requirements. GRE/GMAT or SAT scores are not required for admission.
The program comprises 39 credit-hours and provides students with practical experience in advanced nursing, transition management, and care coordination. Some of the courses include leadership in clinical microsystems, biostatistics, healthcare quality and improvement, evidence-based practice, advanced nursing concepts, and care coordination and outcomes management.
Students learn how to use informatics systems and technologies, facilitate decision-making, employ methods and research practices for motivating change, and design, evaluate, and implement population-based care programs. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the national CNL exam, which is offered by the AACN’s Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC).
At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities in top treatment centers, including ANCC Magnet hospitals, which are actively looking for nurses with advanced degrees. All in all, the degree can help students expand their nursing career employment and leadership opportunities.
- Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 20 months
Sacred Heart University offers an online master of science in nursing with three specializations: clinical nurse leader (CNL), nursing education, and nursing management and executive leadership
The clinical nurse leader specialization focuses on leading an integrated team of healthcare professionals. The program’s faculty includes award-winning healthcare professionals with extensive experience and credentials.
Applicants to the program must have a bachelor of science in nursing from an accredited college (or a BA/BS in related field), with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, a copy of a current unencumbered U.S. RN license, proof of individual and professional liability insurance coverage, and official copies of transcripts of all prior nursing and academic work (including proof of undergraduate statistics health assessment courses). GRE scores are not required for admission.
Made up of 39 credit-hours, the curriculum includes instruction in information systems, the family and community context for healthcare, pharmacology for the nurse leader, care management and resources across the continuum, and disease management and outcomes assessment.
The program teaches students the impact of health problems on family and community systems and how to record health history and data in an accurate manner. Students also become aware of the role of the CNL or nurse educator as a leader and partner in an interdisciplinary healthcare team. This program prepares students to sit for the AACN CNL Certification Exam.
At the end of the program, graduates can take up roles such as case manager, charge nurse, clinical nurse leader, nurse educator, or staff nurse. Sacred Heart University also offers an online RN-BSN-MSN program, providing a way to earn both a BSN and MSN at the same time. Notably, these students can save money and time, as this program allows them to take graduate-level courses at the undergraduate level and tuition rate.
- Location: Fairfield, Connecticut
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
The University of Pittsburgh offers an online master of science in nursing with a clinical nurse leader concentration. The program is ideal for nurses who wish to make an impact in a clinical setting or educate others to do the same.
Admission requirements for the program include a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited program, a current license to practice nursing, a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher, one year of clinical experience, official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (may be waived if the BSN GPA is 3.5 or higher), a prerequisite statistics course, and three letters of recommendation, among others.
The 42-credit-hour program trains students to develop healthcare plans, evaluate patient outcomes, and assess risk. Courses include applied statistics for evidence-based practice, organizational and management theory, health promotion and disease prevention in culturally diverse populations, finance and economics for healthcare leaders, leadership development, and an introduction to health informatics.
Students gain an understanding of how to manage a clinical unit, lead quality improvement efforts, and serve as a case coordinator. On successful completion of the program, graduates can take up roles such as clinical nurse manager, clinician, nurse educator, quality and safety manager, and unit manager.
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
RUSH University offers an online MSN nursing leadership: clinical nurse leader (CNL) program. While the coursework is delivered online, three campus visits are required. The program trains registered nurses to take on leadership roles and become accountable for healthcare outcomes.
Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, three professional letters of recommendation, a resume or CV, registered nurse (RN) licensure in the United States, GRE scores (can be waived), and TOEFL scores for international students.
The program comprises 37 credit-hours. The curriculum includes applied epidemiology and biostatistics, advanced pathophysiology, health assessment, advanced pharmacology, organizational and systems leadership, and clinical leadership and project development.
Students learn to deliver holistic patient care, work with different teams to optimize nursing care, and assume leadership roles in outpatient settings. Additionally, the program prepares students to sit for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader. At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities in acute care and community settings.
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Saint Xavier University offers an online master of science in nursing in clinical leadership. Along with advanced clinical nursing knowledge, it also equips students with leadership tools and tried-and-tested practices for improving patient care. Notably, the program ranks third among the best online masters in nursing, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Admission requirements for the program include a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree from an NLNAC- or CCNE-accredited program, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, a current registered nursing license, at least one year of full-time work experience, official transcripts from all schools attended, and TOEFL scores for students who are not from the United States.
Made up of 38 credit-hours, the program provides students with advanced knowledge in analyzing, implementing, and evaluating patient care plans. Students study advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, healthcare systems and financing, and the clinical leader role.
Students learn how clinical leadership positively impacts patient outcomes and healthcare costs and trends related to the American healthcare system. At the end of the program, graduates can take up roles such as staff nurse, charge nurse, clinical coordinator, care manager, nursing supervisor, and nurse manager.
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Saint Louis University offers an online master of science in nursing CNL degree. Admission requirements for the program include a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited university, an undergraduate grade point average of 3.2 or higher, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a current resume, a personal statement, a copy of a current RN license, and proof of English language proficiency for international students.
The program consists of 32 credit-hours and trains students to work in a broad range of positions in healthcare. Some courses include advanced pathophysiology, health promotion, healthcare systems and policy, advanced pharmacology, informatics and quality improvement, advanced clinical studies, and epidemiology. Overall, this degree focuses on delivering high-quality patient care, using healthcare technology for better patient outcomes, and implementing policies that positively impact the field of nursing.
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
