Adult-Gerontology or Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

MSN students who decide to specialize as adult-gerontology or pediatric clinical nurse specialists 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 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).

Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Requirements

Academic Core Courses13
GNRS 504Bioethics and Healthcare Policy3
GNRS 506Spiritual Concept Analysis in Health Care3
GNRS 508AResearch and Theory in Advanced Practice Nursing4
GNRS 613Graduate Statistics3
Academic and Advanced Practice Core Courses12
GNRS 513Advanced Nursing Practice Role2
GNRS 610Advanced Pathophysiology3
GNRS 611Advanced Pharmacology3
GNRS 612Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning 14 (3/1)
Advanced Practice Specialty Courses22
GNRS 520Theory and Practice of the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Nursing Care of Adult-Gerontology Patients6 (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 Courses1-3
GNRS 597Comprehensive Examination Directed Study1
- or -
GNRS 598Thesis1
- and -
GNRS 514Research Proposal Writing2
Total Units48-50
1

Units in parentheses are classroom/clinical units.

Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Requirements

Academic Core Courses13
GNRS 504Bioethics and Healthcare Policy3
GNRS 506Spiritual Concept Analysis in Health Care3
GNRS 508AResearch and Theory in Advanced Practice Nursing4
GNRS 613Graduate Statistics3
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 Courses2
Select from the following:
GNRS 589Adolescent Health Care2
or GNRS 510 Family Theory in Health Care
Concluding Courses1-3
GNRS 597Comprehensive Examination Directed Study1
or
GNRS 598
GNRS 514
Thesis
and Research Proposal Writing
3
Total Units48-50
1

Units shown 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.