About the Health Systems Leadership - Clinical Nurse Leader Program

• Flexible Web-Based Programs
• About the Program
• Self-Directed Learning Activities
• Weekend Seminars
• Student Assessment
• Admissions Information
• The Curriculum

Flexible Web-Based Programs Designed for Professional Nurses

Western University is one of the first institutions educating future nurse leaders in the unique Master of Science in Nursing, Health Systems Leadership - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) track. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Clinical Nurse Leader or CNL is a new nursing role being developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in collaboration with leaders from the education and practice arenas. AACN is advancing the CNL to improve the quality of patient care and to better prepare nurses to thrive in the health care system. The CNL role emerged following research and discussion with stakeholder groups as a way to engage highly skilled clinicians in outcomes-based practice and quality improvement. In practice, the CNL oversees the care coordination of a distinct group of patients and actively provides direct patient care in complex situations. This master s degree-prepared clinician puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery. The CNL evaluates patient outcomes, assesses cohort risk, and has the decision-making authority to change care plans when necessary. The CNL is a leader in the health care delivery system, and the implementation of this role will vary across settings. This CCNE-accredited program consists of three integrated elements:

• Web-based curriculum
• Weekend sessions at the Pomona, California campus twice per semester
• Preceptored clinical practicum

About the Program

This program is designed for bachelor's prepared Registered Nurses interested in obtaining advanced clinical skills and leadership skills for the health care setting. Core courses in leadership, information technology, accounting and finance, organizational theory, and management apply to all work settings. This program combines the flexibility of on-line learning with seminar weekends to facilitate graduate education for professional nurses. Full-time and part-time tracks are available.

Self-Directed Learning Activities

The World Wide Web provides a unique opportunity to offer students individualized learning experiences that would be impossible through other media. Online education provides an environment to facilitate critical thinking and interactive learning. Learning activities include discussion forums, group projects, presentations, and scholarly papers.

Weekend Seminars

Twice during each semester, students are required to convene on campus for an intensive weekend of interactive activities and instruction. The weekend of study begins Friday morning and ends on Sunday.

Student Assessment

Student performance in each course is assessed through a combination of seminar participation, written and oral presentations, and/or objective examination.

Admissions Information

For more information, please review the MSN/CNL admissions information, or if you are ready you may download an application. If you have any questions regarding the application requirements, please contact the Admissions Counselors: Jacob Rivera at (909) 469-5442, Michelle Cowling at (909) 469-5540, or Elaine Gonzalez at (909) 469-5337.

The Curriculum

With the pre-program course CGN 5000: Communication and Information Management (1 unit), the MSN/CNL curriculum consists of 51 semester units.  CGN 5000 is offered through the College of Graduate Nursing during the summer prior to the start of the program in the fall. Please note that CGN 5000 is not covered under Financial Aid because it is a pre-program course and not part of the core curriculum.

The following table shows the courses included in the full-time track for the MSN/Health Systems Leadership - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Program. Unit values for each course are shown in parenthesis. Select the course title to see a description of the course.

For more program information, please contact Marcia Luxenburg-Horowitz, MSN, RN at mhorowitz@westernu.edu.

Total Program Units: 51 [including the pre-program course CGN 5000: Communication and Information Management (1 unit)]

*Courses not charged tuition but subject to clinical fee