Potential Career Focuses
- Patient Care
- Education
- Research
- Leadership
- Advocacy
Graduate Studies
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Programs
Enroll in the adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist MSN, DNP, or post-master's certificate programs at Widener University. As a clinical nurse specialist (CNS), you'll contribute to excellence in healthcare delivery and outcomes.
At a Glance
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Offered as
Master's (MSN)
Doctorate (DNP)
Post-Master's Certificate
Format
100% Online Courses
w/ 1 In-Person Health Assessment Lab
Credits & Avg. Completion Time
- MSN: 42; 30-36 months
- DNP: 73; 24-36 months
- Post-MSN Cert: 15; 18-24 months
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
- Harrisburg, PA
Explore Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs
Widener's offers adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist (CNS) master's, doctorate, and certificate programs. All CNS programs can be completed entirely online, with just one in-person Health Assessment Lab required on our Chester or Harrisburg, Pennsylvania campuses.
What is a CNS?
A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is trained in advanced nursing practice. Unlike nurse practitioners who have a stronger focus on primary care delivery, CNSs are well-positioned to educate, conduct research, provide leadership, and advocate to improve patient outcomes—opening the doors for a wide variety of careers.
Why Earn a Clinical Nurse Specialist Degree?
You'll explore the advanced role as a clinical nurse specialist and be on your way to becoming a leader in improving patient care outcomes and the quality of health care. You'll explore advanced nursing practice regarding delivery of care for late adolescents, adults, and senior adults in wellness through acute care settings, including emergency and critical care environments.
Through a CNS program, you'll explore a broad foundation of topics, including:
- Health promotion/disease prevention
- Concepts of illness care
- Clinical decision making grounded in evidence-based practices
After program completion, you will be eligible to sit for either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) national certification as an Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.
The master's and doctoral degree programs in nursing at Widener University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Program Options
CNS classes are offered mostly online with only one on-campus health assessment course required, in addition to an in-person clinical practica that can be completed in your home state of residence for the MSN and DNP programs.
The master’s in adult-gerontology CNS program can be completed in 30–36 months at your preferred pace or within the five-year time limit post matriculation.
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The BSN-DNP CNS program can be completed either full-time or part-time at your own pace within the 7-year time limit post matriculation.
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The Adult-Gerontology CNS post-master's certificate focuses on the development of the advanced practice in nursing (APRN) role of the CNS for individuals with a master's degree in another nursing area.
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Students enrolled within the Widener University School of Nursing may be considering licensure (NCLEX) and/or advanced practice certification. Each state/jurisdiction has requirements that candidates must meet in order to obtain licensure and/or certification. To view Widener’s licensure qualifications by state, please visit the School of Nursing Licensure by State webpage or visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) directly.
Outlook & Outcomes
Elevate Your MSN Journey by Joining a Dynamic Cohort
Jump on the opportunity to join a dynamic MSN cohort, where you'll connect with a diverse group of nursing faculty and peers right from the start. This collaborative environment not only enriches your learning experience but also helps you build a valuable professional network early on.
Begin with our comprehensive core curriculum to establish a solid foundation in nursing principles, then seamlessly transition into specialized pathways tailored to your interests and career goals.
Learn via Online Classes that Support Busy Professional & Personal Lives
Our courses are delivered entirely online, with the exception of one in-person Health Assessment Lab. This approach offers maximum flexibility, allowing you to balance your professional and personal commitments while pursuing your education.
Receive Mentorship & Support from an Engaged Nursing Community
You'll thrive in a learning community that is guided by expert faculty with close mentorship and one-on-one support. You'll complete courses led by clinically active professors and build a network that will follow you long after graduation.
You'll also have the opportunity to join multiple clubs and organizations across campus, including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), and many more.
Here, you'll build a network that will follow you long after graduation. Widener's expansive professional alumni network will continue to provide opportunities for engagement and building connections.
Nursing Program Highlights
Our Faculty
I believe that an education with a foundation in science is essential for entry into nursing or advanced practice nursing. Nursing clinical reasoning skills grow as students apply an understanding of disease as the loss of normal function.
Students have great variation in their manner in which they acquire, process, manipulate, store, and retrieve learned information. It is a faculty priority to assist students with the development of metacognitive strategies to assist learning success and retention.
I oversee the DNP program and teach in both the DNP and PhD programs. My teaching philosophy revolves around nurturing students' interests while guiding their growth in clinical and research excellence. My dual role as a health services researcher and nurse practitioner fuels my passion for exploring how nurses impact care delivery and outcomes, as well as the influence of practice and payment policies within healthcare organizations. I seamlessly integrate these insights into my teaching and mentoring, fostering a deep engagement with evidence-based practice and nursing science.
Admissions, Tuition & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
- Complete online application.
- Application fee of $35.
- Personal Statement.
- Updated resume.
- Two recommendations, preferably from professional nurses with graduate degrees, regarding applicant’s practice and potential for graduate work in nursing.
- Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education.
- Valid U.S. license as a registered nurse. NP or CNS option requires PA State Board of Nursing licensure prior to start of clinicals or as appropriate. Appropriate state licensure within the jurisdiction of the state where clinicals is required.
- International applicants, immigrants to the U.S., and U.S. permanent residents are required to submit the results of an English proficiency test taken with 2 years, unless they are from a TOEFL-exempt country.
View English Proficiency Requirements - International applicants who will be seeking licensure in the U.S. should work with Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to utilize their credentials evaluation service.
Graduates of accredited bachelor's programs in nursing are invited to apply for admission by submitting evidence of:
- Completed online application
- Transcripts from all previously attended higher education institutions
- Minimum of a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale)
- Undergraduate statistics course with a grade of at least C (2.0)
- Two references—one from an educator or advanced practice nurse and one from an employer with a graduate degree
- Goal statement that highlights the applicant’s interests with emphasis on health care practice improvement
- Curriculum vitae
- Valid RN license
- Interview with a nursing faculty member (arranged after a preliminary review of application materials)
- International applicants, immigrants to the U.S., and U.S. permanent residents are required to submit the results of an English proficiency test taken with 2 years, unless they are from a TOEFL-exempt country.
View English Proficiency Requirements - International applicants who will be seeking licensure in the U.S. should work with Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to utilize their credentials evaluation service.
GRE scores are not required.
Registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program.
- Completed online application.
- Transcript from completed master’s degree program.
- Valid U.S. license as a registered nurse.
- Valid PA State Board of Nursing licensure or as appropriate.
- Two recommendations regarding applicant's practice and potential for the FNP or CNS advanced practice role.
- Goal statement related to FNP or CNS role.
- Proof of health insurance coverage.
- Copy of liability insurance within acceptable limits of the AP specialty.
- August 15 - for matriculation in the fall semester
- December 15 - for matriculation in the spring semester
- April 15 - for matriculation in summer sessions
Financial Aid
Paths to Savings
85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
Applying For Financial Aid as a Graduate Student
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
Widener Scholarships
A limited number of university-based scholarships are made available to enrolled graduate students made possible directly from our academic department or thanks to the generosity of university donors. No extra steps are needed to be taken prior to admission. Once enrolled, contact your program director to learn more.
20% Discount for Widener Alumni
(some restrictions apply)
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Program Cost
Graduate Admissions Office
-
Hyatt Hall
14th St
Chester, PA 19013 - 610-499-4282
- gcs@widener.edu
Kim A. Noble
Director, Adult Gerontology CNS Program
-
Founders Hall
Room 335 - (610) 499-4237
- kanoble@widener.edu