A clinical nurse leader is (CNL) is a masters' prepared nurse generalist who assumes accountability for the healthcare outcomes of a specific group of patients within a unit or setting through the assimilation and application of research-based information to design, implement, and evaluate patient outcomes at the point of care. The emerging role of the CNL is a national initiative in response to patient care needs and the current health delivery environments. The CNL is a provider and a manager of care. S/he designs, implements, and evaluates care by coordinating, delegating, and supervising the care provided by the health care team, including licensed nurses, technicians, and other health professionals.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of the program the graduate will be able to:
- Design, coordinate and evaluate care to individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations; understand the rationale for care and competently deliver this care to an increasingly complex and diverse population in multiple environments.
- Provide care at the point of care to individuals across the lifespan with particular emphasis on health promotion and risk reduction services.
- Synthesize data, information and knowledge to evaluate and achieve optimal client outcomes.
- Ensure that clients, families and communities are well-informed and included in care planning and is an informed leader for improving care.
- Advocate for the client by taking action if decisions or activities are against the wishes or interests of the client; give the client the opportunity to make informed decisions about health care before it is provided. Serve as an advocate for the profession and the interdisciplinary health care team.
- Use appropriate teaching principles and strategies as well as current information, materials and technologies to teach clients, groups and other health care professionals under their supervision.
- Use information systems and technology that put knowledge at the point of care to improve health care outcomes.
- Participate in systems review to improve quality of client care delivery and at the individual level to critically evaluate and anticipate risks to client safety with the aim of preventing medical error.
- Delegate and manage the nursing team resources (human and fiscal) and serve as a leader and partner in the interdisciplinary health care team.
- Assume accountability for the ongoing acquisition of knowledge and skills to effect change in health care practice and outcomes and in the profession.
Admission Criteria
Admission to the program is based on an overall appraisal of the applicant's ability to undertake master's study and of their potential contributions to the discipline of nursing as evidence by the following:
- Official transcripts from colleges/universities attended
- Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Resume
- Documentation of professional license
- TOEFL scores if needed
- A score of 50 on the CLEP College Composition or College Composition Modular
Highlights of the School of Nursing and Health Professions
- The first private university nursing program in the State
- Accredited by the California State Board of Registered Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- One application, no separate application required for the School of Nursing and Health Professions;
- Admission of nursing students in the fall and spring semester at the Main Campus
- The Graduate School of Nursing and Health Professions was ranked in the top 40 best nursing programs in the nation by US News and World Report
- The RN-MSN degree program was designed for the working adult. Theory courses will be taught on one day a week each semester
- Earn your MSN degree in two years
- Program will also be offered at selected branch campuses as well (Santa Rosa - Summer 2012, San Jose - Spring 2013)
- Financial Assistance for those who qualify
Curriculum for the ADN Nurse with a Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS)
NURS 505 Community Nursing 3 units
NURS 506 Community Nursing Practicum 3 units
NURS 600 Foundations of CNL Leadership 2 units
NURS 602 Epidemiology and Evidence Based Practice 3 units
OR NURS 642 – see below
NURS 603 Assessment 3 units
NURS 604 Instructional Systems Design 3 units
NURS 612 Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 3 units
NURS 613 Introduction to CNL Role 1 unit
NURS 614 Healthcare Systems Leadership 3 units
NURS 628 CNL Role: Clinical Outcomes Manager 1 unit
NURS 623 CNL: As Team Leader and Manager 1 unit
NURS 629 Financial Management 3 units
NURS 639 Nursing Inquiry 4 units
NURS 642 Epidemiology and Populations Statistics 4 units
NURS 648 Healthcare Policy and Ethics 3 unit
NURS 653 RN-CNL Internship (Clinical) (300 hours) 2 units
NURS 651 CNL: Implementation 2 unit
Total: 40 units
MSN Projects Description
For more information
School of Nursing and Health Professions (415) 422-2806
Pleasanton Branch Campus (925) 867-2726, shawd@usfca.edu
Santa Rosa Branch Campus (707) 527-9612 x100, turnerro@usfca.edu
San Jose Branch Campus: (408) 343-7100, sanjosecampus@usfca.edu
