School of Nursing: Clinical Nurse Leader

This exciting role provides leadership for the nursing care of clients at the point-of-care in a variety of care settings. The CNL, with a broad based graduate nursing education, oversees the care coordination of a distinct group of clients, be they individuals, families or populations. Clinically competent from focused experiences as a registered nurse and the clinical emphasis of our program, the CNL actively provides direct care in complex situations. This clinician puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that clients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery.

The CNL collects and evaluates client outcomes, assesses cohort risk, and has the decision-making authority to change care plans when necessary. This clinician functions as part of an interdisciplinary team by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly with other health care professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners.

For more information on the roles and responsibilities of a Clinical Nurse Leader, click The Clinical Nurse Leader: Developing a New Nursing Role. A DVD is also available through the School of Nursing upon request (nursing@up.edu).

Our CNL program is designed for the working nurse. The program is 6 semesters (2 years) long and involves part-time coursework (2-3 courses per semester) so students are able to work full time.  Courses are conducted using a blended format of in-person immersion weekend sessions and web-based learning modalities.  In general, weekend immersions involve full days of class on Saturdays and Sundays approximately 3 to 5 times each semester.  Click here to view the weekend immersions calendar for Spring (January) 2010 through Fall (December) 2010. The last three semesters of the program include clinical experiences (a total of 500 clinical hours). 

The next opportunity to begin the CNL program is summer (May) 2010.  Orientation will take place on May 13 and 14, 2010. The priority application deadline to begin in May 2010 is January 15, 2010.  However, all completed applications received by the Graduate School after the deadline will be reviewed as long as there is adequate processing time and space available. 

To request an application packet, please contact the School of Nursing at 503-943-7211 or nursing@up.edu.