Program Overview

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) program in Adult Health broadly prepares the advanced practice nurse for an ever-changing health care environment.  Students analyze the theory core to CNS role development and practice within the context of a complex health care system.  Students explore key characteristics of the CNS role and examine the dynamic interplay of these characteristics.  Barriers and facilitators of professional practice in a variety of health care systems as they affect patient care and influence patient outcomes are investigated.  Students focus on developing theoretical and clinical expertise in the following core areas:  clinical judgment and consultation; clinical inquiry; facilitation of learning; intra and inter-disciplinary collaboration; systems thinking and care delivery models; advocacy and moral agency; caring practices and response to diversity.

Areas of Concentration

Areas of concentration for those matriculated into the Adult Health CNS program include but are not limited to emergency, trauma, oncology, critical care, medical/surgical areas and specialty practices.

Students enrolled in the Adult Health CNS program may choose to complete a minor in a clinically related area in order to improve their understand of this area as it relates to patient care and improve their marketability.  Minors in areas such as Oncology, Health Informatics, Quality Improvement and Safety, Forensic Science, Women's Health, Palliative Care and Global Health are available.  If interested, please return to the Academic Programs page and scroll to the bottom.  You can click on the link to the minor you are interested in and find out more about it.

Plan of Study

Individualized plans of study are developed based on the goals of the student.  The program can be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis depending on the needs of the student.

Successful completion of the program qualifies graduates to apply for national certification from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) or the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC).