Clinical Nurse Leader Program for RNs
The Clinical Nurse Leader program takes into account your educational, career, and life experiences as well as your critical thinking ability and maturity as you prepare to become a leader in nursing and health care. The curriculum prepares individuals with undergraduate degrees who are Registered Nurses to provide leadership at the point of care. The school admits students into a 34-credit program* leading to a master's of science in nursing (MSN) . The CNL is an advanced generalist nurse, and will be prepared to direct care at the unit level. This could be direct care in an inpatient hospital unit, in an outpatient environment, or in a public/community health setting.
The graduate will be prepared to collect and evaluate patient outcomes, assess cohort risk, and use decision-making authority to change care plans when necessary. The CNL will function as part of an interdisciplinary team by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly with other health care professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, and advanced practice nurses.
Students may enroll as either full-time or part-time students. Full-time students could complete this program in as little as 16 months. Part-time students would complete the MSN in 24 months. Part-time students may enter the program in any semester. Fulltime students will enter in the spring semester.
- Clinicals
- Licensure & Certification
- Admission Requirements
- Downloads, Program of Study, and Links
- The admissions application is available on your My Grad UVa page. If you have not created MyGrad UVa page, then please click here to create your MyGrad UVa page.
- For More Information
In the final semester, students identify a clinical focus area for completion of an extended clinical practicum, followed by the CNL residency practicum. Clinical experiences will be offered at the University of Virginia Medical Center, at other facilities and settings in the Charlottesville area, and at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Salem, Virginia.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the Clinical Nurse Leader certification examination. Students must have unencumbered RN licenses to be admitted to the program.
Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and based on evaluation of all portions of the application.
To be considered for the Clinical Nurse Leader Master's of Science in Nursing, applicants must submit a completed application and the following materials:
- Have a BSN degree from a nationally accredited school.
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study.
- Complete a college-level course in statistics within the past five (5) years.
- Submit three satisfactory academic and professional recommendations. If possible, one should be from someone in healthcare.
- Submit a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae.
- Possess an unenbumbered RN license.
- Be available for an interview if requested; this might be a phone interview with members of the admissions committee.
Application deadline for all materials (application and supporting documents): November 1 for spring entry; April 1 for summer or fall entry
*Certain applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. The School of Nursing accepts GRE scores that are more than 5 years old. If you have your 'older' scores, you may submit a copy of the Student Report. Students who have already completed a graduate degree do not need to submit GRE scores. The Institutional Code for the University of Virginia is R-5820.
International applicants have additional admissions requirements. Click here for information about these additional requirements for international students.
Downloads, Program of Study, and Links
- Informational Flyer on the Direct Entry MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader Program.
- The CNL Program Blog
- Article on the CNL Program from the Virginia Legacy (the alumni magazine)
- Program of Study for CNL Program (full-time)
- Program of Study for CNL Program (part-time)
- My Grad UVa page
For additional information on admission to and programs of study at the UVa School of Nursing, please fill our our online form. You are also welcome to call the Office of Admissions at (434) 924-0141 / (888) 283-8703.
Questions on admissions and financial aid should be directed to Clay Hysell, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services, email hysell@virginia.edu