The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) role. CNSs use theory and research to diagnose, treat, and manage patients and specialty populations from wellness to acute illness. The CNS improves outcomes by providing direct patient care, leading evidence-based practice, optimizing organizational systems, and advancing the practice of nursing.
As a CNS, you’ll provide clinical leadership by:
When you graduate, you’ll find potential employment opportunities in:
Courses are taught in online, distance-accessible formats. There are some required on-campus lab days, and all clinical hours must be completed within the state of Indiana due to supervision requirements.
The degree can be completed in as few as five semesters of full-time study or seven semesters of part-time study.
When you graduate, you will be eligible for certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) as an Adult-Gerontology CNS. As an advanced practice nurse, you will also qualify to apply for prescriptive authority from the Indiana Licensure Board.
