Clinical Nurse Leadership for an experienced RN

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Specializes in critical care.

Hello,

I have taken some graduate courses thinking I was going the NP track, but I don't think it is for me and I switched to an education track. I am all set to start in an employer sponsored MSN/Education program but the commitment is freaking me out (total of 5 year commitment). I am looking at a MSN in Clinical Nurse Leadership with a concentration in Education at Ball State. It is much more affordable than trying to do what my employer is offering on my own. However, the only info I can find in regards to the CNL is for direct-entry programs. I am a RN/BSN with 9 years experience. Is this degree one I could teach with or work as an educator in the hospital? Or is it a Master's for those that want to stay at the bedside? I have a friend that is in the program for administration and she seems to think it is just like a MSN/Administration (or in my case Education).

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

You best bet is to talk with the people at the school and find out what they focus on within the program. These are new programs and they are not all identical. So it's best to "go to the horse's mouth" to get the specific information about a particular program. Don't rely on rumors or the opinions of people who may not have all the facts.

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You may also want to investigate how many facilities in your area (or area you would like to be in) are using CNLs (and how they're using them) and how much general demand there is for the role. I follow the job postings in my area pretty closely and have, so far, seen only one job posting (literally, one) for a CNL in the entire region, ever.

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Specializes in critical care.

I don't see ANY postings for a CNL in my research so far. Of course I find many positions for "MSN", but my concern is whether this degree would be considered for teaching positions. At this point I am looking at some other programs because I am not sure about this one.

I don't know if this helps or not, but here is the course list

Leadership Track Plan of Study (Educator or Administrator)

Research Core

NUR 607 - Data Analysis (3)

NUR 604 - Nursing Research (3)

NUR 697 - Research Paper (3)

Nursing Core

NUR 603 - Nursing Theory (3)

NUR 605 - Nursing and Information Technology (2)

NUR 610 - Concept Analysis 1. Health Promotion (3) (*45 hrs clinical)

NUR 611 - Concept Analysis 2, Clinical Decision Making (3) (*45 hrs clinical)

Role Core

Role Focus (choose one option)

  • Educator (9)
    NUR 620 - Curriculum (3)
    NUR 622 - Teaching in Nursing(3)
    NUR 626 - Program Evaluation (3)
  • Administration (9)
    NUR 640 Nursing Administration Theories (3)
    NUR 642 Administrative Management for Nurses (3)
    NUR 643 Financial Management (3)

NUR 672, Practicum - Selected Role (4) (*225 hrs clinical)

* Clinical hours

Total - 33 credit hours required for this track.

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Specializes in Psych, Medical Surgical, Leadership,Culture.

One thing you should know is you are able to teach with any Master's in Nursing track. Some colleges prefer a clinical track, but usually there is no preference. Most colleges are looking for expertise in an area of practice. For example, clinical and administration. The Clinical Nurse Leader track is some what new and has not been proven in practice at this time. However, that does not mean you should not do the program. The program will prepare for a clinical expertise role in clinical pratice and teaching. Many nurses are chosing the DNP program across the country and finding jobs with the degree. I recommend chosing a role that gives you the most options. You might consider a duel degree such as MSN/MHA or MSN/MBA. Good luck

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Specializes in critical care.

Okay, nevermind, the school has confirmed this a MSN in Leadership with a concentration in Education. It is not a CNL program.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Okay, nevermind, the school has confirmed this a MSN in Leadership with a concentration in Education. It is not a CNL program.

I'm happy to read that you went back to the proper source and got the correct information. So many people come to this website for information and then rely on the speculation of people here rather than make the little extra effort it sometimes takes to get the correct information.

I hope it all works out for you. Good luck!

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Specializes in critical care.

I don't know why I read "Clinical Nurse Leader"? It isn't any where on the site. I guess that is how you know you have been researching too many programs!

Thanks!

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Specializes in Psych, Medical Surgical, Leadership,Culture.

Are you looking into Nursing Leadership and Administration programs. I guess there is some confusion? Thanks

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Specializes in critical care.

I am really looking at Education. At Ball State they put both Education and Administration under "Leadership" and then you choose the role focus (Admin or Ed). From comparing the program to other MSN/Education programs the curriculum is very similar.

http://www.bsu.edu/cast/nursing/article/0,1894,28331-4398-44716,00.html

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