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Post-Master’s Clinical Nurse Leader Certificate

Program Overview

As the health care environment has become more complex, the role of the professional nurse has grown to meet contemporary complex challenges. A criticism of the current health care system is that patient care has become highly fragmented, with patients seeing a plethora of specialists during shortened hospital and other health care settings stays.


The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a relatively new professional role in nursing, that places well-educated generalist nurses in central positions in hospitals to move patients seamlessly through the health care system during episodes of care.

The Department of Nursing at ԰AV offers the Post-Master’s Clinical Nurse Leader Certificate. The program is a 26-credit program, that includes 3 credits of general core and 14 credits of specialty courses, including a 400-hour clinical immersion experience in the CNL role. In addition, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health and Physical Assessment courses will be required if taken more than 5 years ago.

Curriculum for the Post-Master’s Clinical Nurse Leader Certificate

Required CNL Courses

  • NURS 504: Policy, Quality, and Safety in Healthcare*
  • NURS 610: CNL Roles and Responsibilities
  • NURS 750: CNL Seminar and Internship 1
  • NURS 755: CNL Seminar and Internship II

*NURS 504: Policy, Quality, and Safety in Healthcare is required; however, this requirement will be waived if this course or course equivalent is completed prior to enrolling in the certificate program.

Required Advanced Science Courses (The 3 P’s)

  • NURS 530: Advanced Pathophysiology
  • NURS 532: Advanced Pharmacology
  • NURS 534: Advanced Health and Physical Assessment

If determined to be needed through “gap analysis” (within 5 years), the student will need to take 1 or more of the 3Ps (above).

Admission Requirements

  • Satisfactory completion of a graduate program in nursing with at least 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Submission of official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended
  • Active licensure to practice nursing in the State of Pennsylvania or eligibility for licensure by endorsement
  • Completion of a statistics course at an undergraduate or graduate level with a grade of C or better
  • Two professional references, one from a nursing supervisor
  • Written statement of professional goals for further study Professional resume or curriculum vitae

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master's degree program in nursing at ԰AV are accredited by the (CCNE).

Learn More

Request Info: moravian.edu/graduate-inquiry

For more information about the Post-Master’s Clinical Nurse Leader Certificate, to speak with an advisor, or to make an appointment, call us at 610-861-1400 or email graduate@moravian.edu, or contact Caroline Bechtel, Student Experience Mentor, at 610-625-7131 or bechtelc@moravian.edu.