Saint Louis University's Master of Science in Nursing (Clinical Nurse Leader) degree program prepares nurses for direct-care leadership roles in a variety of health care settings with focus on quality improvement, clinical coordination and accountability for health outcomes as a provider and manager of care.

Clinical nurse leaders provide leadership at the point of care. They focus on outcomes measurement, risk assessment, quality improvement, interprofessional communication and evidence-based practice. The CNL coordinates the care of a distinct group of patients and actively provides or oversees direct patient care in complex situations.

Highlights of SLU's nursing program include:

• Faculty who are nationally recognized for teaching excellence, nursing leadership, scholarly research and student mentorship
• State-of-the-art teaching facilities
• Located on a major health sciences campus

Curriculum Overview

The M.S.N.-C.N.L. program at Saint Louis University is a non-advanced practice option that will prepare you to function as a clinical nurse leader. The program is offered online in a part-time format and is completed in two years.

Careers

In addition, upon completion of the program and with licensure, graduates from SLU's Master of Science in Nursing (Clinical Nurse Leader) program will be eligible to sit for the clinical nurse leader exam offered by American Association of Colleges of Nursing Commission on Nurse Certification.

Admission Requirements

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited college or university.
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or greater on a 4.0 scale.

Prerequisite Courses

• Completion of an undergraduate-level descriptive and inferential statistics course prior to enrollment in “Research Methods.”
• Completion of a beginning-level health assessment course or the equivalent thereof prior to enrollment in “Advanced Health Assessment.”

Application Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Transcript(s)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Résumé
• Personal statement
• Copy of current unencumbered Registered Nurse license.

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Application Deadlines

Spring: Students should apply for the spring semester by January 1.

Fall: Students should apply for the fall semester by June 1.

Review Process

Applicants for admission to this program are considered individually.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Saint Louis University School of Nursing offers scholarship and graduate research assistantship opportunities to eligible graduate students. Financing for this program may be available through grants, scholarships, loans (federal and private) and institutional financing plans.  Additionally, most nursing students will participate in a tuition assistance program provided through their employer.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

1. Graduates will be able to implement collaborative strategies to provide ethical, high quality, safe, effective, patient-centered care.
2. Graduates will be able to use scholarly inquiry including evidence-based practice and research application to improve decision-making and health outcomes.
3. Graduates will be able to integrate advanced competencies, skills, theories, and cultural sensitivity in relationships with patients and professionals.
4. Graduates will be able to design culturally sensitive patient care that includes health promotion and disease prevention.
5. Graduates will be able to facilitate the improvement of health care through leadership within health care systems and communities.
6. Graduates will be able to demonstrate competence in a specialized area of advanced practice nursing that builds on  foundational nursing knowledge.
7. Graduates will be able to utilize health care informatics and technologies to support practice.
8. Graduates will be able to advocate for policies that improve the health of the public and the profession of nursing.

Nurse Educator Option

Nurse educator courses provide an opportunity for course work and practicum experience in nursing education. NURS 5560 Evidence-Based Approaches for the Nurse Educator (2 cr) may be added to earn the Nurse Educator Certificate.

Non-Course Requirements

Students will complete 400 clinical hours.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions please contact,
Scott Ragsdale
Recruitment Specialist
SLU School of Nursing
(314) 977-8995
slunurse@slu.edu