Clinical Nurse Specialists concentrate on selected phenomena within the domain of a nursing specialty area. The CNS is a change agent who obtains greater depth of knowledge and understanding in the specialty area in response to complexity of care.
CNS professionals are prepared at the MSN degree level as advanced practice nurses in the areas of Adult Care or Community Health. If you already have a Master's in Nursing there is a Post Master's CNS Certificate Option. This requires completing 24 credits.
Upon completion of the CNS option, the graduate will:
- Practice an advanced clinical role within a theoretically based framework, serving patients and families in a selected health care environment
- Demonstrate competency in a selected functional area
- Use the process and method of scientific inquiry in the study of nursing
- Contribute to the development of nursing science
- Function as a change agent within a selected health care environment in the clinical practice setting
For more information about the Clinical Nurse Specialist role, contact:
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
NACNS National Office
3969 Green Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110-1575
(717) 234-6799
| Core Courses | Credits | |
| NURS 706 | Theoretical Foundations | 3 |
| NURS 720 | Research in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 712 | Professional Issues & Health Policy | 3 |
| NURS 716* | Ambulatory Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 717* | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 750* | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NURS 760* | Nursing Specialty: Theory & Practice | 6 |
| NURS 761* | Advanced Community Health: Theory & Practice | 6 |
| NURS 762* | Nursing Specialty: Theory & Role | 3 |
| *courses required for Post Master's CNS certificate | ||
| NURS 797 | Thesis (Plan A) | 6 |
OR |
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| NURS 798 | Research Project (Plan B) | 3 |
| NURS 795 | Comprehensive Examination | 1 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits/Units | 39-40 | |