BSN to DNP Clinical Nurse Specialist

OU College of Nursing’s Adult/Gero Clinical Nurse Specialist program prepares skilled nurses to function at the highest level of care in a wide range of health care settings where patients with adult/geriatric care needs are served.

Clinical experts in the diagnoses, interventions and treatments of illnesses, CNSs work with other professionals to advance the nursing practice and improve outcomes in patient care, in addition to providing clinical expertise to influence system-wide changes in care.

Those who earn a doctoral degree as a clinical nurse specialist often:

• Lead and collaborate in an interdisciplinary healthcare team
• Assist and offer guidance to patients and their families as they navigate the complex healthcare delivery system
• Serve as educators, consultants, evidence-based researchers, change agents and case managers, as well as clinical nurses

Graduates of this program can be found working in independent or collaborative practice, hospitals, outpatient, rehabilitation facilities, extended care situations hospice and home health care.

To learn more about career options available to graduates of the Master of Science in Clinical Nurse Specialist: Adult/Gero program, visit Explorehealthcareers.org or the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist curriculum prepares graduates to apply for and sit for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Adult Gerontology certification exam. 

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at The Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)

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Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be prepared to:

• Integrate theories from nursing and support sciences to guide practice and role development
• Use evidence-based and best practice literature to propose and initiate change.
• Use political acumen to influence health care policy in the promotion of safe, ethical health care delivery.
• Deliver a broad array of evidence-based, patient-centered nursing interventions to culturally diverse or at risk individuals and populations in a specialized area of practice.
• Demonstrate expertise in a specialized area of clinical, teaching, and management/administrative practice and/or initial competence in a functional role (advanced practice registered nurse [APRN], educator and administrator).
• Employ leadership and management skills in decision making to improve nursing care delivery and the care environment.
• Collaborate with the interprofessional teams to improve nursing care and health care services.
• Contribute to knowledge dissemination through scholarly activities and communication.
• Use critical synthesis to effectively manage resources and systems.
• Demonstrate competency in information analysis, management and technology consistent with role preparation.
• Engage in lifelong learning and professional development.