Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) and Nurse Executive pathways at the Orvis School of Nursing (OSN) prepare nurses to lead and manage healthcare delivery with distinct but complementary approaches. Our CNL program offers an MSN exit point and an Advanced Graduate Certificate option, equipping students with specialized skills in care coordination, risk reduction, and outcomes improvement for specific patient cohorts. This pathway culminates with preparation for the CNL certification, marking graduates as certified clinical leaders in their field.
For those aspiring to higher-level executive roles, our DNP Nurse Executive program incorporates CNL competencies within a broader scope of organizational leadership, healthcare policy, and executive management. Students in this pathway receive advanced preparation for leadership across healthcare systems, promoting health and excellence in patient care outcomes at the organizational level. DNP Nurse Executive graduates are also qualified to sit for the CNL certification exam.
Nursing leadership pathways at Orvis
MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
The Clinical Nurse Leader program prepares RNs with a BSN to take on leadership roles. An MSN-CNL graduate would encompass the roles of clinician, outcomes manager, client advocate, educator, information manager, systems analyst, risk anticipator, team manager, member of a profession, and life-long learner.
Fast facts
- 40 credits, FT/PT plans available.
- Typical time to complete is two (2) years
- 540 practicum hours
A number of our core courses transfer into our DNP program if you decide to pursue your DNP degree in the future.
DNP: Nurse Executive and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
The BSN to DNP program entry option prepares graduates for advanced clinical practice roles to serve the healthcare needs of the people of Nevada, the nation, and the professional community. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Executive/CNL graduates may function as specialists in their advanced practice roles as nursing faculty, as healthcare executives, or as program and policy analysts. We are currently the only program in the country that bridges nurse executive and Clinical Nurse Leader coursework, making our graduates extremely marketable.
Fast facts
- 64 credits, FT/PT plans available.
- Typical time to complete is 3-3.5 years
- 1,140 practicum hours
Advanced graduate certificate: CNL
The CNL certificate prepares MSN- or DNP-prepared nurses as healthcare systems specialists to be effective leaders for health care delivery and to work within all settings to plan and coordinate complex patient care.
Fast facts
- 15-17 credits
- Typical time to complete is two (2) semesters
- The CNL program includes 500 clinical hours secured by the OSN, with a minimum of 300 hours in a supervised CNL Role Immersion Practicum with an Academic Practice Partner
Students who are enrolled in this program solely are not eligible for federal financial aid.
Scope of practice and career opportunities
Orvis School of Nursing CNL graduates are equipped to lead patient care teams, serve as a change agent, drive translation of evidence into practice, improve care quality for cohorts of patients, and serve in formal leadership and management roles across healthcare environments.
Key learning outcomes
- Synthesize knowledge across nursing, health sciences, and quality improvement domains.
- Lead interdisciplinary teams to improve healthcare outcomes.
- Implement evidence-based practices to optimize patient care and system efficiency.
Curriculum and clinical experience
The CNL program includes 420 clinical hours secured by the OSN, with a minimum of 300 hours in a supervised CNL Role Immersion Practicum with an Academic Practice Partner.
Sample courses include the following:
- NURS 744: Leadership Development and Care Management
- NURS 745: Health Information Systems and Technology
- NURS 746: CNL as Change Agent
- NURS 747: Care Management in a Health Care Micro-System
Certification and accreditation
Graduates are eligible for the CNL certification exam. Orvis graduates regularly exceed the national first-attempt pass rate, with most cohorts achieving a 100% pass rate. The CNL program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), reflecting OSN’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in nursing education.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at 夜色视频 Orvis School of Nursing are accredited by the .