Clinical Experiences
Gain clinical experiences with CNS Preceptors at the region’s top hospitals and health care systems. Our dedicated faculty will work with you to find a clinical placement that aligns with your experience and career goals.
Master’s Degree
Adult-Gerontology MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist
Contribute to excellence in healthcare delivery and outcomes as a clinical nurse specialist.
Program Overview
In this program, you'll explore the advanced role as a clinical nurse specialist while earning a Master's in Science of Nursing. Become a leader in improving patient care outcomes and the quality of health care with a broad foundation in:
- Health promotion/disease prevention across the health illness continuum
- Concepts of illness care
- Clinical decision making grounded in evidence-based practices
The program focuses on delivery of care for late adolescents, adults, and senior adults in wellness through acute care settings, including emergency and critical care environments.
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. As a certified CNS, you'll be on the track to earning a doctoral degree.
The master's degree program in nursing at Widener University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist Program Options
View the Loading... for curriculum and coursework requirements.
Students can enroll for the program at either our Main Campus in Chester or Central Pennsylvania campus in Harrisburg.
The program can be completed in 30–36 months at the student’s pace or within the five-year time limit post matriculation.
Students who are registered nurses have the option to enroll in accelerated tracks to earn a master's degree through the RN-to-MSN program option or earn a BSN degree with graduate course credits that can be rolled into a master's degree program.
Students who hold an MSN can pursue a Adult-Gerontology CNS post-master's certificate. The School of Nursing offers a number of post-master's and post-doctoral certificates in different areas of study.
Many area health care systems offer their employees discounted tuition rates for Widener's graduate nursing programs.
Admissions Requirements
- 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.
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All admission requirements, including an interview, must be received and completed before:
- August 15 — for matriculation in the fall semester.
- December 15 — for matriculation in the spring semester.
- April 15 — for matriculation in summer sessions.
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.
MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist Program Highlights
Course flexibility
A flexible hybrid course delivery system offers classes in-person and online at both the Main Campus in Chester and Harrisburg Campus.
Close Faculty Mentorship
Partner with nursing professors who bring years of clinical experience to the classroom. You will join a graduate nursing student community that is guided by close mentorship and one-on-one support from our full-time faculty.
Clubs & Organizations
Nursing majors that the opportunity to join mutliple clubs and organizations across campus to expand their network, including the Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders (PONL), Sigma—International Honor Society of Nursing, and many more.
Faculty
At Widener, our nursing faculty aren't just teaching the courses but are creating the science of nursing education.
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.
Your Inside Track to Success
Your Inside Track to Success
As a clinical expert, you will graduate with the expertise you need to provide care as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Outlook & Outcomes
School of Nursing Graduate Programs Office
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Founders Hall, 3rd Floor, Chester, PA 19013
- 610-499-4213
- mnursing@widener.edu
Jill C. Gilbert
Assistant Director of Admissions and Enrollment
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Hyatt Hall, Office #316
- (610) 499-1229
- jcgilbert@widener.edu
Kim A. Noble
Director, Adult Gerontology CNS Program
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Founders Hall
Room 335 - (610) 499-4237
- kanoble@widener.edu