ELM-MSN: Adult-Gerontology or Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

APU’s Entry-Level Master’s in Nursing (ELM) program is designed for students who hold baccalaureate or higher degrees in other disciplines but want to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing.

The Master of Science in Nursing with Adult-Gerontology or Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) program allows students to concentrate on one of these two clinical areas of content and practice. Nurses with advanced practice preparation may work in acute, primary, or long-term care settings. Students learn the process of developing and sustaining evidence-based practice in illness management, advancing the practice of other nurses and nursing personnel, and developing organizational or systems modifications to support and improve nursing practice. The traditional CNS roles of expert clinical practice, consultation, clinical leadership, research, and education are shaped toward producing desirable patient outcomes as the CNS works in several spheres of influence. Graduates are eligible to apply to the state of California for certification as clinical nurse specialists, and may apply for national certification through examination by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Contact the School of Nursing for specific program availability and locations. Prelicensure coursework must be completed prior to beginning advanced practice nursing coursework. 

Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Requirements

Academic Core Courses13
GNRS 506Spiritual Concept Analysis in Health Care3
GNRS 613Graduate Statistics3
GNRS and/or GSPH XXX Electives7
Academic and Advanced Practice Core Courses12
GNRS 513Advanced Nursing Practice Role2
GNRS 610Advanced Pathophysiology3
GNRS 611Advanced Pharmacology3
GNRS 612Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning4
Advanced Practice Specialty Courses22
GNRS 520Theory and Practice of the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Nursing Care of Adult-Gerontology Patients 16 (2/4)
GNRS 521Clinical Specialization in the Care of Adult-Gerontology Patients6 (2/4)
GNRS 543Transitions Across the Care Continuum6 (2/4)
GNRS 548Health Promotion Across the Lifespan2
GNRS 580Gerontology2
Concluding Course(s)1-3
GNRS 597Comprehensive Examination Directed Study1
- or -
GNRS 598
& GNRS 514		Thesis
and Research Proposal Writing		3
Total Units48-50
1

Units in parentheses are classroom/clinical units.

Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Requirements

Academic Core Courses13
GNRS 506Spiritual Concept Analysis in Health Care3
GNRS 613Graduate Statistics3
GNRS and/or GSPH XXX Electives7
Academic and Advanced Practice Core Courses12
GNRS 511Advanced Pediatric Health Assessment and Health Promotion 14 (3/1)
or GNRS 612 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
GNRS 513Advanced Nursing Practice Role2
GNRS 610Advanced Pathophysiology3
GNRS 611Advanced Pharmacology3
Advanced Practice Specialty Courses20
GNRS 530Theory and Practice of the Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Care of the Pediatric Patient6 (2/4)
GNRS 531Clinical Specialization in the Care of the Pediatric Patient6 (2/4)
GNRS 543Transitions Across the Care Continuum6 (2/4)
GNRS 548Health Promotion Across the Lifespan2
Specialized Option Course2
GNRS 589Adolescent Health Care2
- or -
GNRS 510Family Theory in Health Care2
Concluding Course(s)1-3
GNRS 597Comprehensive Examination Directed Study1
- or -
GNRS 598
& GNRS 514		Thesis
and Research Proposal Writing		3
Total Units48-50
1

Units in parentheses are classroom/clinical units.

Admission

University graduate admission and program-specific requirements must be met before an application is complete (see Admission to the University). Program-specific application requirements are available online.

International students should contact Graduate and Professional Admissions for application procedures.