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Post Graduate Certificate - Clinical Nurse Specialist

The Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program will prepare you with the knowledge and skills needed to function as an advanced practice nurse to meet the needs of adult-geriatric patients. Students can develop subspecialty expertise within the adult-gerontology population including such areas as cardiology, nephrology, neurology, and oncology, among others. CNSs are equipped to advance quality of care, integrate evidence into practice, develop and lead clinical innovations, and improve patient and system outcomes.  Graduates practice in a wide range of health care settings that include hospitals and acute care, long-term care, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation care.

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

Program Outcomes

Those who earn a post-graduate clinical nurse specialist certificate 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 

Prerequisite Courses

Nursing Research 

General Statistics 

Admission Requirements

  • Completion of a Master's degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution
  • Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Oklahoma or hold a compact license
  • Prerequisite courses to be completed with a grade of “C” or better
    • Undergraduate Nursing Research (ex. EBP)
    • Statistics – either undergraduate or graduate
  • Last 60 hours grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Submission of three letters of reference
  • Resume
  • Personal Statement
If after reviewing the qualifications for this program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact Nursing@ouhsc.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences.  

Curriculum

Clinical Practicum 

Faculty assist students in obtaining preceptors for their clinical practice hours and help guide the selection of preceptors so that there is an optimum match between student career goals and needs and preceptor expertise. 

Clinical Science Core Courses

Course # 

Course Title 

Credits 

PATH 5503

Applied Principles of Pathology

3

NURS 5013

Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses

3

NURS 5633

Advanced Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning

Total Credit Hours 

9

Clinical Nurse Specialist Pathway Courses

Course # 

Course Title 

Credits 

NURS 5913

CNS Systems Management (96 Clinical Hours)

3

Total Credit Hours 

3

Adult/Gero CNS Courses

Course # 

Course Title 

Credits 

NURS 5643

Advanced Concepts in Adult/Gerontology Nursing I

3

NURS 5763

Advanced Practicum in Adult/Gerontology Nursing I (192 Clinical Hours)

3

NURS 5653

Advanced Concepts in Adult/Gerontology Nursing II

NURS 5773 Advanced Practicum in Adult/Gerontology Nursing II (192 Clinical Hours) 3

Total Credit Hours 

12

Capstone Course

Course # 

Course Title 

Credits 

NURS 5944

Synthesis in Nursing for the CNS Pathway (192 Clinical Hours)

4

Total Credit Hours 

4

Total Program Hours 28
Total Clinical Hours 672