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School of Nursing

MS in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) concentration prepares a generalist who will function as a clinical leader for setting-specific nursing practice. The CNL role is at the point of care with responsibilities in management of care, the care environment, and unit specific patient outcomes. The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) concentration is five academic semesters in length for students taking an average of nine (9) credits per semester.  Both full-time and part-time studies are available.  A total of 41 credit hours are required for completion of this concentration in nursing.

The number of required clinical hours (contact hours) is based on national certification examination requirements, not on a credit hour to contact hour basis. The clinical nurse leader concentration has a total of 468 clinical hours: 84 hours in clinical semester one, 84 hours in clinical semester two, and 300 hours in clinical semester three.

Graduates who complete this program are eligible to sit for national certification as a clinical nurse leader through the Commission on Nurse Certification.

For more information on this concentration and courses, please refer to the current USM graduate catalog.

Courses & Requirements

Information Sessions about USM Masters in Nursing programs are held on a regular basis

Deadline: Spring semester admission - October 1

                     Fall semester admission - April 1

Admission:

Admission to the master of science degree program in nursing is on a competitive basis. The graduate program in nursing seeks candidates whose baccalaureate preparation, scholastic achievement, professional experience, interest, motivation, and references are predictive of successful graduate study.

Admission Requirements:

Students applying for admission must meet the following requirements (certain areas of specialization may have additional admission requirements):

  • A baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from an accredited degree program (official transcripts)
  • A minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a B average.
  • A course in introductory statistics which includes descriptive and inferential statistics.
  • A course in total health assessment.

Test Scores: MAT or GRE taken within five years of application submission:

  • Miller Analogy Test (MAT) - A score that ranks in the 45th percentile or higher for intended major.

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) -
    • Taken prior to August 1, 2011 - combined aptitude scores of 1,000 (V.Q.) or higher.
    • Taken after August 1, 2011 - a verbal reasoning score of 153 or higher; a quantitative reasoning score of 147 or higher; and, minimum of 4.0 on the analytic writing sample.

  • Submission of official TOEFL scores In addition to GRE scores, applicants whose native language is not English must have earned a score of at least 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 79 or higher on the Internet-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test.
  • Two letters of reference reflecting professional practice and academic achievement.
  • Evidence (photocopy) of current unencumbered licensure as a registered professional nurse in Maine.
  • Current resumé.
  • A personal interview may be requested.

Assistantships, Scholarships, and Traineeships:

Research/teaching assistantships, scholarships, and traineeships are available for graduate students. Further information may be obtained by contacting the School of Nursing administrative Office: (207) 780-4505.

Program Selection Form
Submission of a completed program selection form is required as part of the application process.

Online Application

Paper applications will no longer be accepted except in extenuating circumstances.  If you feel you have an extenuating circumstance, please contact Lisa Sweet, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions (prior to submitting a paper application) at 780-4165 or lsweet@usm.maine.edu

For application information please contact:
Office of Graduate Studies & Research
University of Southern Maine
96 Falmouth Street
PO Box 9300
Portland, ME 04104-9300
Phone: (207) 780-4386

Updated 01/17/12