School of Nursing > Future Students > Master Programs > Clinical Nurse Leader Program Overview

Clinical Nurse Leader Program Overview

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Program prepares nurses to be clinical leaders with the skills and competencies needed to thrive in the current and future health care system while striving to improve client outcomes and reduce health care costs. The CNL Program is a second-degree, accelerated nursing program for individuals already possessing a baccalaureate or higher degree in another field/profession (non-nursing).    

A CNL is a nurse who will receive the essential nursing knowledge needed for the registered nurse licensure examination (NCLEX) and will graduate with a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN).  The CNL is considered a generalist (not an advanced practice nurse) and will possess nursing knowledge, comprehension of the infrastructure of the health care system, clinical decision-making skills, resource management strategies, and the ability to manage complex information.  Goals of the program are to prepare:

• Nurses that create an environment of clinical excellence that results in improved outcomes

• Clinical decision-makers

• Nurses that become engaged in peer practice and the interdisciplinary health care team

• Leaders who facilitate and assure individualized, evidence-based, and highly effective care to patients and families

The CNL Program is instituted in collaboration with Medical College of Georgia Health, Inc and University Health Care System.  Both of these partner institutions are enthusiastically supporting the CNL educational efforts, as well as providing possible career opportunities following graduation.  The program and partnerships will enhance the role development of the CNL through the engagement of highly skilled clinicians, outcomes-based practice and quality improvement strategies while providing high-quality patient care throughout the state of Georgia and the surrounding communities in the Augusta area.

Admission Requirements

• A baccalaureate or higher degree in another discipline (non-nursing) from an accredited college or university

• Evidence of academic achievement of at least a 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale

• Completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better

• Anatomy and Physiology (8 credits); must be completed within the last 10 years

• Microbiology (3 credits); must be completed within the last 10 years

• Biochemistry (3 credits) OR Other Chemistry (6 credits)

• Statistics (3 credits)

• General Psychology (3 credits)

• Human Growth and Development across the lifespan (3 credits)

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 900 or higher (sum of verbal and quantitative scores) completed within the last five (5) years; or Miller Analogy Test (MAT) score of 400 or higher completed within the last five (5) years

•  Official transcripts of all post-secondary education.
•  Submission of resume or curriculum vitae. Please attach to online application or submit separately to the Office of Academic Admissions.
•  Three letters of recommendation (School of Graduate Studies Reference Form is also required.)
•  Personal statement addressing expereince and autobiographical information. (Included on application.)
•  If applicable, TOEFL score of 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, or 79 internet-based. For more information, visit www.mcg.edu/Admissions/intstud.htm.
•  Personal interview.