The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Leadership and Administration Concentration
Program of Study
The program of study for the Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Leader includes the following courses:
Clinical Nurse Leader Courses
The CNL core curriculum builds on the essentials of baccalaureate nursing education and prepares graduate level nurses for various leadership roles of microsystem care delivery. The master’s level NLAC extends the reach of the CNL and is designed for nurses interested in mesosystem and macrosystem level nursing administration.
Required
| NUR 600 | Theory & Conceptual Foundation | 3 |
| NUR 611 | Advanced Clinical Assesment | 3 |
| NUR 612 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NUR 613 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUR 625 | Healthcare Info Sys/Data Utili | 3 |
| NUR 630 | Hlth Promotion/Disease Prevntn | 3 |
| NUR 635 | Clinical N Leader Practicum I | 4 |
| NUR 640 | Mgmt of Clinical Outcomes | 3 |
| NUR 651 | Rsrch_Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NUR 660 | Leadership in Healthcare | 3 |
| NUR 675 | CNL Immersion Practicum III | 4 |
| NUR 699 | App Nur Ed, Ldrshp&Pract Impro | 1 |
Total (NUR 635 and NUR 675: *Clinical hours included).
*A minimum of 500 hours of clinical practice are required in the Clinical Nurse Leader Program.
Nursing Leadership and Administration Courses
In addition to the CNL core courses, students in the NLAC complete three courses offered through Lander’s College of Business and Technology and nursing faculty-designed practice experiences, which may include precepted experiences with faculty oversight and/or experiences with direct faculty supervision. According to the AACN Essentials, students must complete a minimum of 500 practice hours in the discipline of nursing as a demonstration of advanced-level sub-competencies. NLAC students must complete BA 600 and one of the two master’s level business micro-credentials.
Nursing Leadership and Administration Concentration
Micro-Credentials (choose one)
Healthcare Management Micro-credential
Organizational Leadership Micro-credential
Lander University School of Nursing is committed to preparing individuals to provide holistic nursing care in a variety of settings to diverse clients across the lifespan. The purpose of the graduate program is to prepare clinical nurse leaders to address the healthcare needs of the 21st century by implementing outcome-based practice through management of care systems, quality improvement strategies, utilization of technology, and advanced clinical reasoning. The nursing courses in the Master of Science in Nursing-Clinical Nurse Leader program are offered in an asynchronous online format with clinical experiences arranged in the student’s geographic area (when available).
The graduates are prepared to:
1. Effect change through advocacy for the profession, interdisciplinary healthcare team and the client;
2. Communicate effectively to achieve quality client outcomes and lateral integration of care for a cohort of clients;
3. Actively pursue lifelong learning as the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) role, needs of clients, and the healthcare system evolve;
4. Delegate and utilize the nursing team resources and provide leadership when partnering with the interprofessional healthcare team;
5. Identify clinical and fiscally responsible outcomes that improve safe, quality, client-centered care;
6. Use information systems and technology at the point of care to improve healthcare outcomes;
7. Participate in systems review by evaluating client safety risks to improve quality of client care;
8. Assume accountability for healthcare outcomes, recognizing systems influences on a specific group of clients;
9. Utilize information to design, implement and evaluate client plans of care;
10. Synthesize evidence to evaluate and achieve optimal client and care environment outcomes; and
11. Use appropriate teaching/learning principles, strategies, and technology to facilitate the learning of clients, groups, and the other healthcare professionals.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Nursing: Clinical Nurse Leader curriculum is designed to be completed in five semesters. The courses are delivered in an asynchronous format in order to meet the needs of the students. Each semester, prior to registration, students will review and update an Academic Plan of Study in consultation with the academic advisor. All work to be applied towards the Master’s degree must be completed within six years of initial enrollment.
Admission
Master of Science in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader program
• Students applying for admissions to the Master of Science in nursing must have graduated from a program accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission on Education in Nursing (ACEN),
• Overall grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 on 4.0 scaled on baccalaureate course work.
• Current unencumbered South Carolina Registered Nurse or Advance Practice Registered Nurse License
• Satisfactory criminal background check, drug screen and physical examination certifying applicant’s ability to complete clinical requirements
• Completion of undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or higher
Academic Plan of Study
All CNL students must have a current Academic Plan of Study on file prior to registration for any class. The initial Academic Plan of Study will be completed during orientation for new students. Each semester prior to registration the Academic Plan of Study will be reviewed and/or updated in consultation with the academic advisor.
Clinical Grading Scale
Students are evaluated as satisfactory or unsatisfactory in the clinical component of courses. With input from clinical preceptors, the course faculty will evaluate students based on clinical course objectives. A satisfactory clinical grade is necessary to pass a course with a clinical component.
Attendance Policy
The MSN-CNL program is an online program that requires a high level of independent and self-directed learning. Course attendance and participation requirements are explained in each individual course syllabus. Clinical attendance policies are negotiated between the clinical coordinator and preceptor.
Incomplete Grade(s)
An “Incomplete” (I) is awarded when all requirements of a course have not been completed by the end of the semester. This designation is reserved for students where failure to complete the course is due to circumstances such as unanticipated illness, accident, work-related responsibility, or family hardship which are beyond the student’s control. The option for an “Incomplete” is at the discretion of the course faculty. By arrangement with the course faculty, the student will have up to six months from the last day of examinations for the semester in which to complete the work and the faculty to submit the grade. After six months, an “Incomplete” which has not been made up is changed to a grade of “F”. For progression, the Incomplete must be addressed before the drop/add period deadline of a semester if the student plans to utilize that semester for course registration. Hence, master’s students may not register for courses until an “Incomplete” grade from the previous semester is removed. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all arrangements for removal of the Incomplete have been made and that all work for completing course assignments has been accomplished.
Grade Reports
At the end of each semester, a report of grades is posted on Bearcat Web.
Grade Appeals
Lander University’s Student Handbook includes provisions for grade appeals. Neither grade changes nor appeals for grade changes can be made after one calendar year from the time the grade was given. After graduation, no grade can be changed or appealed.
Requirements for Progression in the MSN-CNL program
1. Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale; and
2. Complete the required courses with a minimum grade of “B”. Note: If a student earns a grade less than “B”, the student may repeat the course one time. The student cannot repeat more than one required course.
Graduation Requirements
1. Complete the number of graduate hours and specific courses required in the approved program of study;
2. Achieve at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale;
3. Satisfactorily complete all other requirements of the program, including all clinical hours and Graduate Synthesis Project prior to graduation; and
4. Successfully complete all required documentation required by the University pertaining to graduation (i.e., Graduation Application).
Transcripts
Requests for official transcripts of a student’s record should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar.
Endorsement for Certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader
Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification examination administered by the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC). Information regarding the examination application and endorsement program is available in the MSN-CNL Student Handbook, available on the School of Nursing website.
Faculty Advisors
The Coordinator of Graduate Studies for the School of Nursing will be assigned to each MSN student as faculty advisor to assist with academic planning.
Special Expenses
In addition to university tuition and fees, MSN students will incur additional expenses such as transportation to and from clinical sites, lab coat and other professional attire, fees for CNL Certification practice examination, etc.
Core Performance Standards
In order to perform safe patient care, students must meet core performance standards and functional abilities for admission and progression as published by the Southern Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing (SCCEN). Additional information is available in the Policy and Procedure Manual available on the School of Nursing website.
Drug and Alcohol Policies and Procedures
Students are required to comply with the policies as documented in the Policy and Procedure Manual available on the School of Nursing website.
Petitioning
Students have the right to request an exception to the application of academic policies of the School of Nursing. Petitions must be submitted in writing to the student’s Faculty Advisor or the Dean of the School of Nursing for consideration by the Nursing Faculty Organization.
Regulations for Clinical Courses
Clinical experiences for MSN-CNL students will be arranged collaboratively with the student, course faculty, graduate preceptor, and healthcare agencies. Students are expected to adhere to any arranged schedule unless other arrangements have been made prior to the scheduled experience. Unavoidable absences will be made up based on preceptor and facility availability.
In addition to the regulations of the University, the following additional regulations apply to students in nursing. The provisions are required to meet regulations of healthcare agencies used for clinical experiences.
1. Clearance for Attendance at Clinical Laboratories
Students must meet all School of Nursing requirements for clinical nursing courses, and utilize the vendor selected by the School of Nursing.
2. Health Requirements
In addition to meeting the health requirements of the University, students engaged in clinical nursing courses are required to provide evidence of single-step tuberculosis screening or its equivalent; annual 10-panel drug screen; documentation of rubella (German measles) immunization or immune titer; evidence of varicella (chicken pox) immunizations or immune titer; current immunization against tetanus and pertussis, influenza, and Hepatitis B; and an initial physical examination by a nurse practitioner or physician. Students must submit a health update annually. These documents, as well as proof of completing the American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers CPR course, must be submitted to the approved vendor assigned by the School of Nursing by the required deadline.
3. Insurance Requirements
Students enrolled in clinical nursing courses must carry tort and professional liability insurance as well as personal health and accident insurance.
4. Transportation to Clinical Practice Sites
Each student is responsible for transportation to and from clinical sites.
MSN- CNL Nursing Concentrations
The following graduate level concentrations are operationalizations of the SON’s mission to provide holistic healthcare education to advance optional evidence-based care for all. The nursing concentrations enhance the ability of the MSN-CNL education and experience in producing graduates that will use clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills as they transform healthcare to better meet the needs of their respective healthcare community. The concentrations speak to our vison of being recognized for programs of excellence that value diversity, integrate technology, and provide a welcoming, supportive community in healthcare education.
The concentrations are designed to build on the existing CNL curriculum and allow students to customize their education with the addition of relevant, high-demand, market driven credentials.
Nursing Education Concentration (NEC)
The master's level NEC is designed for nurses interested in teaching in an academic setting or the care delivery environment as a clinical educator. In addition to the CNL core courses, students in the NEC complete three education courses (NUR 631, 641, and 661) and faculty-designed practice experiences, which may include precepted experiences with faculty oversight and/or experiences with direct faculty supervision. According to the AACN Essentials, students must complete a minimum of 500 practice hours in the discipline of nursing as a demonstration of advanced-level sub-competencies.
Nursing Leadership and Administration Concentration (NLAC)
The CNL core curriculum builds on the essentials of baccalaureate nursing education and prepares graduate level nurses for various leadership roles of microsystem care delivery. The master’s level NLAC extends the reach of the CNL and is designed for nurses interested in mesosystem and macrosystem level nursing administration. In addition to the CNL core courses, students in the NLAC complete three courses offered through Lander’s College of Business and Technology and nursing faculty-designed practice experiences, which may include precepted experiences with faculty oversight and/or experiences with direct faculty supervision. According to the AACN Essentials, students must complete a minimum of 500 practice hours in the discipline of nursing as a demonstration of advanced-level sub-competencies. NLAC students must complete BA 600 and one of the two master’s level business micro-credentials.