Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist

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The Clinical Nurse Specialist is an advanced clinician holding a master’s degree who functions as an expert clinician, leader, researcher, educator, and consultant that exerts influence in three spheres:  patient/family, nursing personnel, and organization system.  The CNS graduate acquires knowledge and experience to provide services to individuals in an area of specialization across the lifespan in health promotion, disease prevention, and management of common acute and / or chronic illness.  The CNS works in a variety of clinical settings including acute care hospitals, community agencies, long term care, home care, and physician offices. Our AG-CNS program is recognized by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. AG-CNS students may meet the educational eligibility requirements for the ACCNS-AG certification exam. There are a total of 42 credit hours in the specialty with 545 clinical hours.  The Clinical Nurse Specialist graduate is prepared to:

  • Provide expert outcome-oriented nursing therapeutics for complex patients to promote health, well-being, and quality of life.
  • Manage the integration and coordination of patient care services across the health care continuum. 
  • Design and implement patient and staff educational programs for promotion of positive health care outcomes.
  • Consult and collaborate with members of the health care team to support the delivery of quality patient care.
  • Utilize research methodology and evidence to investigate, promote, and evaluate nursing therapies that produce positive patient care outcomes.
  • Model responsibility for continued professional development, integrity, accountability, competence, and credentialing as a clinical nurse specialist.

Program Curriculum - 42 Credit Hours

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Core Courses (18 credit hours)
  • NURS 601 - Roles for Advanced Nursing Practice (1 credit hour)
  • NURS 602 - Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing (4 credit hours)
  • NURS 603 - Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credit hours)
  • NURS 604 - Population Based Care and Health Policy (3 credit hours)
  • NURS 605 - Healthcare Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credit hours)
  • NURS 606 - Nursing Leadership in Health Systems (4 credit hours)
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Clinical Core Courses (9 credit hours)
  • NURS 617 - Advanced Concepts of Pathophysiology (3 credit hours)
  • NURS 618 - Advanced Health Assessment (3 credit hours)
  • NURS 622 - Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credit hours)
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Clinical Nurse Practitioner Specialty Courses (15 credit hours)
  • NURS 645 - Advanced Nursing Assessment and Intervention I (5 credit hours)
  • NURS 646 - Advanced Nursing Assessment and Intervention II (5 credit hours)
  • NURS 647 - Advanced Nursing Assessment and Intervention III (5 credit hours)

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Contact

Dr. Mellisa Hall
Program Chair

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