Program Overview

RN to Clinical Nurse Leader Program

The RN to Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program is an affordable, part-time, fast-track program designed for RNs interested in healthcare administration, nursing leadership, and policy. This program offers experienced nurses a fast-track to a master's degree with the flexibility of part-time study, taking into account their education, career, and life experiences as they prepare for leadership roles in nursing and healthcare.

Program Overview

The program is designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles in nursing and healthcare, with a focus on healthcare administration, nursing leadership, and policy. Graduates of the program are well-positioned to continue their education in either the clinical specialty, with a PhD, or in whatever role or setting they choose.

Benefits

• Top-ranked by US News & World Report
• 90% of CNLs receive financial aid for their schooling
• Part-time program designed for working nurses
• Graduates prepared and eligible for the CNL certification exam
• Guaranteed admission for UVA School of Nursing alumni

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the program is January 5.

Tuition and Fees

The tuition and fees for the program are as follows: | Category | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident | | --- | --- | --- | | Tuition | $26,568 | $45,122 | | Regular Session Comprehensive Fee | $3,572 | $4,254 | | University Activity Fee | $58 | $58 | | Nursing Activity Fee | $30 | $30 | | Total | $30,228 | $49,464 |

Part-time Program

For the part-time program: | Category | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident | | --- | --- | --- | | Tuition | $948 per credit | $1,610 per credit | | Regular Session Comprehensive Fee | $3,572 | $4,254 | | University Activity Fee | $58 | $58 | | Nursing Activity Fee | $30 | $30 | | Total | $3,660 + Tuition | $4,342 + Tuition |

Supplemental Fees

Additional fees for CNL Direct-Entry and RN to CNL students: | Category | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident | | --- | --- | --- | | Student Health Insurance | $3,673 | $3,673 | | International Student Fees | $240 | $240 |

January Term and Summer Term

Fees for January and Summer terms:

• January Term: $216 (VA) or $246 (non-VA) + tuition
• Summer Term: $475 (VA) or $535 (non-VA) + tuition

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for the CNL for RN, applicants must:

• Submit a completed application and an $85 application fee
• Have a bachelor's degree and an ADN degree, or diploma from a regionally accredited school
• Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Have successfully completed a college-level course in statistics within five years of the program start
• Submit three satisfactory academic and professional recommendations
• Complete two essays
• Submit a resume or CV
• Have a license as a registered nurse in the US, with eligibility to transfer the license to Virginia
• Be available for an interview, if requested
• International applicants have additional admission requirements

Competitive Applicants

The most competitive applicants have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher in nursing and non-nursing degrees, have experience in quality improvement projects, and excellent writing skills.

RN to CNL Classes

The program consists of the following classes:

Post-BSN (34 credit hours, 500 CNL immersion hours)

• 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)

Post-ADN or Diploma (42 credit hours, 56 clinical hours, 500 CNL immersion hours)

• NUIP 4200 Pathophysiology (4 credits)
• GCNL 5150: Clinical Practice & Decision-Making: Community Health Nursing (3 credits)
• 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)

Clinicals

In their final semester, RN to CNL students participate in CNL immersion hours based on particular unit projects of need identified by UVA Health, which are assigned to students.