MSN - Clinical Nurse Specialist Program

The Clinical Nurse Specialist program is designed to prepare the registered nurse as an Advanced Practice Nurse with specialized knowledge and skills used to care for patients, manage patient and system outcomes, and support nurses in their delivery of effective care across health care settings. These roles require advanced educational preparation in research, policy, organization, and financing of health care, ethics, professional development, human and social issues, theoretical foundations of nursing, health promotion, disease prevention and management. Coursework assists students to develop an expertise in the nursing and medical care of special patient populations through the use of case studies, practicum experiences, and preceptored experiences with Advanced Practice Nurses. Students who successfully complete the Clinical Nurse Specialist program are qualified to assume clinical, education, and research roles in specialized care in various healthcare settings. Graduates are expected to contribute to the delivery of quality nursing care through the implementation of evidence-based care and their ability to create work environments that support effective professional practice.

 

Objectives of the Curriculum

A core set of abilities is required for the competent clinical nurse specialist. These include the ability to:

1. Critically analyze, interpret and use appropriate knowledge, research and theories to meet the health care needs of diverse urban and rural client populations.
2. Collaboratively plan for the delivery of culturally acceptable healthcare within the context of client social structure and world views.
3. Employ leadership, management and teaching skills to foster change and continual improvement in health care in order to meet changing societal and environmental needs.
4. Evaluate theory and research findings for integration into professional nursing practice.
5. Develop competence and accountability in an advanced practice nursing role.
6. Model caring, sensitivity and respect in the delivery of health care to culturally diverse populations.
7. Value commitment to the advancement of the profession and the discipline of nursing.
8. Operationalize principles of ethical, legal, financial, and economic theories as applied to healthcare delivery systems.
   pply knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, and treat illness among patients through interventions that prevent, alleviate, or minimize illness and improve patient functioning.