Degree Options
Master of Science in Nursing
Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
Distance Accessible
The Adult CNS track is completely distance accessible. The Learn Where You Live initiative maximizes opportunities for Indiana nurses to obtain education using advanced technology at Indiana University.
The Adult CNS program uses technology to bring the program to IU's campuses across the state. Travel no further than your local Indiana University campus—Northwest, South Bend, Kokomo, Columbus, Bloomington, Richmond, Southeast or Indianapolis! Complete your required clinical work in your hometown. If you have reliable high-speed internet, delivery of courses to your home or work may be possible. Click to see requirements: Technology Resources: Current Students: School of Nursing: Indiana University
What is an Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)?
Adobe Flash Player required to view this video.
To download the latest plug-in for your browser, click here.
A clinical nurse specialist is an advanced practice nurse. CNSs specialize in a delimited area of practice. CNSs are clinical experts in nursing and focus on the diagnosis and treatment of illness and the promotion of wellness. A CNS uses theory and research to guide and improve nursing care and to make important and unique contributions to health care, including:
- providing expert nursing care to complex patients in a variety of health care settings, such as communities, hospitals, home care, corporate, and others;
- developing, implementing, and evaluating population-based programs of care;
- developing and evaluating innovative interventions that achieve improved clinical and fiscal outcomes;
- collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate health care services and to implement best practice models;
- developing research utilization projects that lead to innovative health care practices, and evaluating products and devices; and
- mentoring nursing staff in solving patient care problems.
The Program
The adult health clinical nurse specialist track is a 42-credit-hour program. It is designed for either part- or full-time study. The graduate courses in the adult health clinical nurse specialist track offer a wide range of advanced practice learning experiences in a variety of health care settings. The required courses in the track provide a solid foundation in the use of research and theory as a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of illness and the promotion of wellness. Students build knowledge and skill in a specialty practice area through individualized, clinically-focused learning experiences. Elective courses enable students to tailor their studies to meet their career goals or emerging employment opportunities.
The program includes 525 hours of supervised clinical practice. Graduates are eligible for certification as Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Through individualized planning, students may also be eligible for Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist offered by the AACN Certification Corporation or Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist offer by Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.
Curriculum (42 Credit Hours) (Clinical Supervised Hours-525)
Review the list of School of Nursing course descriptions.
| Core Courses (12 credits) | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| N502 | Nursing Theory I | 3 |
| N504 | Leadership for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| R500 | Nursing Research | 3 |
| R590 or R699 | Scholarly Project (3 credit hours) or Thesis (6 credit hours) | 3 |
| Courses in the Track (23 credits hours)* | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| M500 | Scientific Basis for CNS Practice* | 3 |
| M565 | Symptom Management and Functional Enhancement* | 4 |
| M559 | Stress and Coping* | 3 |
| M560 | Enhancing Health Behavior through Psycho-Educational Intervention* | 3 |
| R505 | Measurement and Data Analysis (Statistics) | 3 |
| L650 | Data Analysis and Clinical Decision Making | 3 |
| M575 | CNS Roles in Health Systems* | 4 |
* Courses with clinical experience
| Core Advanced Clinical Courses (7 credit hours) | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Y612 | Pharmacology ( section for CNS) | 3 |
| J692 | Pathophysiology (section for CNS) | 2 |
| J692 | Physical Assessment (section for CNS) | 2 |
For specific questions about the adult health clinical nurse specialist track, please contact: oesgrads [at] iupui [dot] edu
If you are interested in the Adult CNS RN -MSN option (you have an ASN or nursing diploma) please contact Janet Moon, Graduate Advisor jakmoon [at] iupui [dot] edu . Ask her to refer you to the Adult CNS RN-MSN option advisor.
