Nursing - Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, BSN-DNP

Program Details

The Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist concentration is designed to prepare registered nurses to assume an advanced practice role as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). This nursing degree graduate assumes a professional leadership role to inform nursing practice, education, and health care delivery systems in the design and implementation of strategies to improve organizational, educational, and individual client, student, and nurse provider outcomes.

Advanced practice clinical expertise is reflected in the application of innovative evidence-based practice interventions and the development of collaborative relationships in order to address the healthcare needs of a diverse population. Graduates of the Michigan State online nursing program will be eligible for certification as a Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Program Outcomes

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) of which the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist online education concentration prepares students for roles that reflect current, emerging and expanding roles of nurses as providers and educators. The curriculum for these advanced practice roles is designed in the context of related challenges, needs and increasing complexities within the systems of health care delivery, higher education, and professional nursing career advancement. The DNP focuses on the professional development of skills in evaluating evidence, utilizing appropriate research in decision-making, and developing and implementing clinical innovations to advance practice and improve patient care.

Career Outlook

With advanced preparation as clinical experts and educators, they are highly sought after in academic settings for clinical faculty positions and in staff development. Graduates of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Adult-Gerontology concentration qualifies students to sit for the AGCNS-BC certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the AACNS-AG certification offered by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). Students will select the certification exam best suited to their career goals. Students who successfully pass either certification exam will be awarded Board Certification as an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Additionally, those who earn a DNP have completed the highest level of training in nursing practice. The DNP provides extends a practitioners education with a focus on safe, effective, evidence-based, and patient-centered care.

Course Information

Core

Admissions Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

• Completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree from an accredited college or university.
• 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale.
  A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for total credits completed during the second-half of the four-year baccalaureate nursing program. Completed a three (3) credit undergraduate or graduate statistics course with a grade of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or better within the last five years.
• A license/certificate required
  Current unrestricted R.N. license without probationary status in the applicant’s state or country. For those applicants practicing in Michigan, a current Registered Nurse Michigan license is required. Applicants who hold Registered Nurse licensure from other states or countries and who are in the Nurse Practitioner concentration may be admitted provisionally with the requirement that a United States and Michigan Registered Nurse license must be obtained prior to progression to clinical courses.
• Résumé/Curriculum Vita
• Taken the TOEFL
  Only required if English is not your native language
• A written personal statement
  Submitted a written essay that addresses the applicant’s career goals and motivations for graduate study in the selected area of specialty nursing practice: nurse practitioner or adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist.
• 3 letters of recommendation
  The reference letters must be from a source that has direct knowledge of the applicant’s work and educational experience specifying the applicant’s ability to do graduate work. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
• Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

• Complete a university graduate application 
• Completed an admission interview with the College of Nursing faculty. Recommendations for admission are made by the faculty committee to the Dean of the College based on the requirements for admission and the personal interview.