The Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing (Clinical Nurse Leader) degree program that prepares nurses for leadership roles in a variety of health care settings, focusing on quality improvement, clinical coordination and accountability for health outcomes as a provider and manager of care.
SLU's Valentine School of Nursing is renowned for excellence in nursing education. U.S. News and World Report's Best Graduate Schools survey consistently ranks our graduate programs among the top in the nation. The M.S.N.-CNL program provides a seamless transition for those graduates interested in becoming a nurse practitioner upon the completion of their master’s program.
Program Highlights
- Faculty who are nationally recognized for teaching excellence, nursing leadership, scholarly research and student mentorship
- State-of-the-art teaching facilities, including an online library and writing center resources
- Location on a major health sciences campus
- An innovative curriculum that offers students updated 21st-century nursing graduate competencies
Curriculum Overview
The M.S.N.-CNL program at Saint Louis University is a non-advanced practice option that will prepare you to function as a master's prepared clinical nurse leader. The program is offered online in a part-time format and may be completed in as few as five semesters. Please see the roadmap for our M.S.N.-CNL curriculum plan.
Careers
In addition, upon completion of the program, graduates from SLU's Master of Science in Nursing (Clinical Nurse Leader) program will be eligible to sit for the clinical nurse leader exam offered by American Association of Colleges of Nursing Commission on Nurse Certification.
Admission Requirements
The Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing adheres to the principles of a holistic admission process in which selection criteria are broad-based and linked to our University’s and school’s mission and goals. While we do consider academic metrics, we also look at applicant experiences, attributes, potential for success, and how applicants may contribute to the school’s learning environment and to the profession.
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited college or university.
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale.
- Background checks and negative drug screenings are required after acceptance.
Application Requirements
Please follow the three steps outlined below to apply:
Step 1 - Application:
Submit the application form and pay the associated fee through NursingCAS. Select Saint Louis University.
Step 2 - Transcripts
Please submit your official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended directly to NursingCAS. They will provide details when the application is initiated.
Step 3 - RN License:
Attach a copy of your unencumbered registered nurse license in the state in which clinical experience will be done within the NursingCAS application.
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships.
- Proof of financial support that must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
- Courses taken and/or lectures attended
- Practical laboratory work
- The maximum and minimum grades attainable
- The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
- Any honors or degrees received.
WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Application Deadlines
Admissions are rolling, with the following deadlines:
- Fall semester start: July 15
- Spring semester start: December 15
- Summer semester start: April 15
Review Process
Applicants for admission to this program are considered individually.
Tuition
Tuition Per Credit | Tuition | Cost Per Credit |
| Graduate Tuition | $1,400 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Net Price Calculator
Information on Tuition and Fees
Miscellaneous Fees
Information on Summer Tuition
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Financing for this program may be available through grants, scholarships, loans (federal and private) and institutional financing plans. For price estimates, please review the SLU cost calculator.
The Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing offers scholarship and graduate research assistantship opportunities to eligible graduate students. Additionally, most nursing students will participate in a tuition assistance program provided through their employer.
For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
Accreditation
The Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) certificate program at Saint Louis University's Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 665 K Street N.W., Suite 750, Washington, D.C., 20001. The commission's phone number is 202-887-6791.
1. Knowledge for Nursing Practice: Integrates an understanding of nursing’s distinct and shared disciplinary perspectives and applies theoretical and empirical knowledge from the humanities and natural, social, behavioral and nursing sciences to form the basis for clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice.
2. Person-Centered Care: Engages in nursing care through the relational lens, which fosters caring relationships, mutuality, active participation, and individual empowerment in the delivery and communication of compassionate person-centered nursing care through cura personalis.
3. Population Health: Collaborates with diverse stakeholders for the advancement of effective partnerships, health policy and improvement of equitable population health outcomes related to the social determinants of health.
4. Scholarship for Nursing Discipline: Applies, translates, and implements best evidence and client values into clinical decision-making.
5. Quality and Safety: Enhances quality of care while minimizing risk of harm to clients and providers through system effectiveness and individual performance.
6. Interprofessional Partnerships: Collaborates across professions with care team members, clients, clients, families, communities, and other stakeholders to optimize care, enhance the health care experience and strengthen outcomes.
7. Systems-Based Practice: Effectively and proactively coordinates resources to provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations within complex health care systems to address social and structural determinants of health.
8. Informatics and Health Care technologies: Utilizes information processes and technologies to manage and improve the delivery of safe, high-quality and efficient health care services.
9. Professionalism: Cultivates a sustainable professional nursing identity, accountability, perspective, collaborative disposition and ethical principles that reflects nursing’s characteristics and values.
10. Personal, Professional and Leadership Development: Participates in activities and self-reflection through Ignatian pedagogy which foster personal health, resilience, and well-being while supporting the acquisition of nursing expertise, lifelong learning and the leadership continuum.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| NURS 5170 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 5140 | Health Promotion | 3 |
| NURS 5020 | Health Care Systems & Policy | 3 |
| NURS 5110 | Advanced Assessment and Clinical Decision Making | 3 |
| NURS 5200 | Gen Research Methods | 3 |
| NURS 5025 | Informatics and Quality Improvement | 3 |
| NURS 5045 | Role Acquisition for the Clinical Nurse Leader (75 Clinical Hours) | 3 |
| HCE 5500 | Ethics in Nursing& Health Care | 2 |
| NURS 5080 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 5604 | Advanced Clinical Studies (225 Clinical Hours) | 3 |
| NURS 5605 | Practicum in Clinical Leadership (225 Clinical Hours) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 32 |
Nurse Educator Option
Nurse educator courses provide an opportunity for course work and practicum experience in nursing education. NURS 5560 Evidence-Based Approaches for the Nurse Educator (2 cr) may be added to earn the Nurse Educator Certificate.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| NURS 5570 | Curriculum Development in Nurse Education | 2-3 |
| NURS 5580 | Instructional Strategies and Evaluation in Nurse Education | 2 |
| NURS 5590 | Practicum in Nursing Education | 2 |
| Total Credits | 6-7 |
Non-Course Requirements
Students will complete 525 clinical hours which includes 75 hours in Role Acquisition of the Clinical Nurse Leader; 225 hours in Advanced Clinical Studies; 225 hours in Practicum in Clinical Leadership.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Plan of Study Grid
| Year One |
|---|
| Spring |
|---|
| NURS 5045 |
Role Acquisition for the Clinical Nurse Leader () |
3 |
| NURS 5140 |
Health Promotion |
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| Summer |
|---|
| HCE 5500 |
Ethics in Nursing& Health Care |
2 |
| | Credits | 2 |
| Fall |
|---|
| NURS 5080 |
Advanced Pharmacology |
3 |
| NURS 5170 |
Advanced Pathophysiology |
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| Year Two |
|---|
| Spring |
|---|
| NURS 5110 |
Advanced Assessment and Clinical Decision Making |
3 |
| NURS 5200 |
Gen Research Methods |
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| Summer |
|---|
| NURS 5020 |
Health Care Systems & Policy |
3 |
| | Credits | 3 |
| Fall |
|---|
| NURS 5025 |
Informatics and Quality Improvement |
3 |
| NURS 5604 |
Advanced Clinical Studies () |
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| Year Three |
|---|
| Spring |
|---|
| NURS 5605 |
Practicum in Clinical Leadership () |
3 |
| | Credits | 3 |
| | Total Credits | 32 |
Apply for Admission
For additional admission questions, please contact the School of Nursing's recruitment and enrollment staff:
Undergraduate Inquiries
314-977-8995
slunurse@slu.edu
Graduate Inquiries
314-977-8995
slunurse@slu.edu
