Program Overview

Introduction to the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Program

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program at the University of Virginia is designed for motivated, high-achieving individuals interested in pursuing graduate study to prepare for nursing leadership. This accelerated program is fast-paced and available to those who already have at least a bachelor's degree in another field. The program leads to a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree, and CNL graduates are eligible to assume positions as registered nurses in a wide variety of clinical settings once they pass the nurse licensing exam, the NCLEX.

Program Details

• The CNL program is a 24-month, full-time program that includes summer sessions.
• The program consists of 75 credit hours, 790 clinical hours, and 326 CNL immersion hours.
• CNL graduates are prepared to take the required certification exam to become registered nurses, the NCLEX, and enjoy very high pass rates.
• CNL graduates are also prepared to take the CNL Certification Exam to earn the CNL credential.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for the CNL program, applicants must:

• Submit a completed application, including an $85 application fee
• Have a baccalaureate or master's degree from a regionally accredited school
• Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Have successfully completed the following prerequisites with a B- or higher before enrollment:
  • Human anatomy and physiology I with lab (4 credits) within five years of the program start
  • Human anatomy and physiology II with lab (4 credits) within five years of the program start
  • Microbiology (with or without lab) within five years of the program start
  • Statistics at the graduate or undergraduate level within five years of the program start
  • Life span development (conception to death)
• Submit a resume or CV
• Be available for an interview, if requested
• International applicants have additional requirements

Competitive Candidate Profile

A competitive candidate has:

• An undergraduate GPA of 3.30 or higher
• Grades of A or A- in each prerequisite
• Prior work or volunteer experience in healthcare; exposure to nursing is recommended
• Prior experience in change-related projects (through work or volunteer experiences) or in team leadership
• A medical math course such as Medical Math
• Excellent writing skills

Guaranteed Admission

A CNL candidate who seeks guaranteed admission must meet the following requirements:

• Be a graduate of Virginia state-funded schools or a graduate of U.S. Military Academies
• Have earned a minimum 3.2 GPA from their previous institution(s)
• Have completed all prerequisites by the end of the fall semester during which they apply

Tuition and Fees

CNL Direct-Entry [full-time] - Fall and Spring Terms

RN to CNL [part-time]

Clinical Rotations

In addition to two years of full-time classes, including summer sessions, students enjoy clinical experiences across five specialty areas in year one (including pediatrics, medical-surgical, psychiatric-mental health, obstetrics and labor and delivery, and community and public health), and practice with a preceptor in a generalist nursing role in a variety of settings for nearly 500 hours during year two during their practicum.

Clinical Sites

Pre-licensure students studying nursing, including those across our BSN and CNL programs, practice at a wide variety of sites across Charlottesville, Albemarle County, central Virginia, and the mid-Atlantic region, working alongside and being mentored by qualified preceptors and experienced nurses at sites including:

• Albemarle County Public Schools
• Augusta Medical Center
• Bon Secours Short Pump Emergency Center
• Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital
• Camp Holiday Trails
• Charlottesville Catholic School
• Child Health Partnership - Charlottesville Office
• Child Health Partnership - Fluvanna/Louisa Office
• Clinica Esperanza
• Clinical Simulation & Learning Center (CSLC)
• CRHA Crescent Halls Neighborhood Community Clinic
• CRHA Westhaven Neighborhood Community Clinic
• CVHS - Charlottesville
• CVHS - Louisa
• Epworth Manor
• Fork Union Medical Associates
• Hospice of the Piedmont
• Innisfree Village
• JABA Louisa Adult Care Center
• JABA Mary Williams Community Senior Center
• Louisa County School System
• Louisa Family Practice, PLC
• Rockfish River Elementary School
• Sentara (RMH) Rockingham Memorial Hospital Med Ctr
• The Haven
• The Pearl at Watkins Centre LLC
• Triple C Camp
• Tye River Elementary School
• UVA - Primary and Specialty Care Pantops
• UVA Continuum Home Health
• UVA Dialysis Zion Crossroads
• UVA Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center
• UVA Employee Health
• UVA Family Medicine (Primary Care Center)
• UVA Family Medicine Stoney Creek
• UVA Health Orthopedic Center Ivy Road
• UVA International Family Medicine Clinic (IFMC)
• UVA Kidney Center Clinic (Home Dialysis)
• UVA Maternal & Fetal Medicine Clinic (Battle Bldg)
• UVA Medical Center
• UVA Medicine HOME Program
• UVA Pediatric Hematology/Oncology(Battle Building)
• UVA Pediatrics (Battle Building)
• UVA Population Health-Interactive Home Monitoring
• UVA Primary & Specialty Care Zion Crossroads
• UVA Student Health and Wellness Center
• UVA Teen and Young Adult Health Center
• UVA Transplant Center
• UVA-WorkMed
• Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
• Virginia Institute of Autism (VIA)
• Walker Upper Elementary School
• Western State Hospital

CNL Classes

The Direct Entry CNL program includes the following courses:

• NUIP 4200 Pathophysiology (4 credits)
• GCNL 5100: Health Assessment & Clinical Interventions (4 credits)
• GCNL 5020: Pharmacology (3 credits)
• GCNL 5110: Clinical Practice & Decision-Making: Nursing Care of Adults & Older Adults (4 credits)
• GCNL 5120: Clinical Practice & Decision-Making: Nursing Care of Children & Families (3 credits)
• GCNL 5130: Clinical Practice & Decision-Making: Nursing Care of Adults with Common Health Problems (3 credits)
• GCNL 5140: Clinical Practice & Decision-Making: Nursing Care of Women & Childbearing Families (3 credits)
• GCNL 5150: Clinical Practice & Decision-Making: Community Health Nursing (3 credits)
• GCNL 5160: Clinical Practice & Decision-Making: Nursing Care of Persons with Psychiatric Illness (3 credits)
• GCNL 5170: Clinical Practice & Decision-Making: Nursing Care of Persons with Complex Health Problems (3 credits)
• GCNL 5180: Clinical Practice & Decision-Making: Synthesis Practicum (4 credits)
• GCNL 5210: Introduction to Nursing Leadership & the Healthcare System (2 credits)
• GCNL 5230: Theory for Research & Nursing Practice (1 credit)
• GCNL 5240: Leadership Seminar: Microsystem Analysis & Capstone Development (3 credits)
• GCNL 5250: CNL in the Health Care System (3 credits)
• GCNL 5991: CNL Role Immersion & Capstone (5 credits)
• GNUR 5260: Care Environment Management I & Leading Teams (3 credits)
• GNUR 5270: Care Environment Management II (3 credits)
• GNUR 6010: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
• GNUR 6052: Epidemiology & World Health (3 credits)
• GNUR 6054: Research & Biostatistical Process for Health Care (4 credits)
• GNUR 6056: Health Policy: Local to Global (3 credits)
• GNUR 6058: Nursing, Ethics and the Larger Healthcare Arena (3 credits)
• GNUR 6060: Culture and Health (2 credits)