RN to Clinical Nurse Leader
An affordable, part-time, fast-track Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program for RNs interested in healthcare administration, nursing leadership, and policy – and all the benefits an advanced degree confers
Unlike a typical two-year master's degree program or the traditional CNL program, the RN to CNL program offers experienced nurses a fast-track to a master's degree with the flexibility of part-time study. The program takes into account nurses' education, career and life experiences as they prepare for leadership roles in nursing and health care, and these UVA grads are well-positioned to continue their education in either the clinical specialty, with a PhD, or in whatever role or setting they choose.
With their wealth of professional and scholarly experience, RN to CNL grads tend to rise rapidly in health care communities as clinicians, team-leaders, patient care coordinators, client advocates, outcomes manager, and systems analysts.
- Top-ranked by US News & World Report
- 90% of CNLs receive financial aid for their schooling
- a part-time program designed for working nurses
- Graduates prepared and eligible for the CNL certification exam
- Guaranteed admission for UVA School of Nursing alumni
- Application deadline: January 5
Apply
Summer term is required for all Master's-Entry CNL students.
| 2024-25 | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $26,568 | $45,122 |
| Regular Session Comprehensive Fee | $3,572 | $4,254 |
| University Activity Fee | $58 | $58 |
| Nursing Activity Fee | $30 | $30 |
| Total | $30,228 | $49,464 |
RN to CNL [part-time]
| 2024-25 | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $948 per credit | $1,610 per credit |
| Regular Session Comprehensive Fee | $3,572 | $4,254 |
| University Activity Fee | $58 | $58 |
| Nursing Activity Fee | $30 | $30 |
| Total | $3,660 + Tuition | $4,342 + Tuition |
CNL Direct-Entry and RN to CNL - Supplemental Fees
| 2024-25 | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Student Health Insurance | $3,673 | $3,673 |
| International Student Fees | $240 | $240 |
CNL Direct-Entry and RN to CNL - January Term
| 2024-25 | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition - January 2025 Session | $948 per credit | $1,610 per credit |
| January Session Comprehensive Fee | $216 | $246 |
| January 2025 Session Total | $216 + Tuition | $246 + Tuition |
CNL Direct-Entry and RN to CNL - Summer Term
| Tuition - Summer 2025 Session | $948 per credit | $1,610 per credit |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Session Comprehensive Fee | $475 | $535 |
| Summer 2025 Session Total | $475 + Tuition | $535 + Tuition |
To be considered for the CNL for RN, applicants must:
- Submit a completed application and an $85 application fee
- Have a bachelor's degree and an ADN degree, or diploma from a regionally accredited school
- Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Have successfully completed a college-level course in statistics within five years of the program start
- Submit three satisfactory academic and professional recommendations
- Complete two essays
- Submit a resume or CV
- A license as a registered nurse in the US, with eligibility to transfer the license to Virginia; students must have an unencumbered RN license in Virginia before the first day of classes
- Be available for an interview, if requested
- International applicants have additional admission requirements
The most competitive applicants have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher in nursing and non-nursing degrees, have experience in quality improvement projects and excellent writing skills.
Applicants with ADN or BSN degrees should apply for the fall semester, and request change to enroll in the summer session after admitted, if planning to enroll in summer classes.
RN to CNL (post-BSN) (34 credit hours, 500 CNL immersion hours):
- GCNL 5240: Leadership Seminar: Microsystem Analysis & Capstone Development (3 credits)
- GCNL 5250: CNL in the Health Care System (3 credits)
- GCNL 5991: CNL Role Immersion & Capstone (5 credits)
- GNUR 5260: Care Environment Management I & Leading Teams (3 credits)
- GNUR 5270: Care Environment Management II (3 credits)
- GNUR 6010: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- GNUR 6052: Epidemiology & World Health (3 credits)
- GNUR 6054: Research & Biostatistical Process for Health Care (4 credits)
- GNUR 6056: Health Policy: Local to Global (3 credits)
- GNUR 6058: Nursing, Ethics and the Larger Healthcare Arena (3 credits)
- GNUR 6060: Culture and Health (2 credits)
RN to CNL (post-AND or diploma) (42 credit hours, 56 clinical hours, 500 CNL immersion hours):
- NUIP 4200 Pathophysiology (4 credits)
- GCNL 5150: Clinical Practice & Decision-Making: Community Health Nursing (3 credits)**
- GCNL 5240: Leadership Seminar: Microsystem Analysis & Capstone Development (3 credits)
- GCNL 5250: CNL in the Health Care System (3 credits)
- GCNL 5991: CNL Role Immersion & Capstone (5 credits)
- GNUR 5260: Care Environment Management I & Leading Teams (3 credits)
- GNUR 5270: Care Environment Management II (3 credits)
- GNUR 6010: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- GNUR 6052: Epidemiology & World Health (3 credits)
- GNUR 6054: Research & Biostatistical Process for Health Care (4 credits)
- GNUR 6056: Health Policy: Local to Global (3 credits)
- GNUR 6058: Nursing, Ethics and the Larger Healthcare Arena (3 credits)
- GNUR 6060: Culture and Health (2 credits)
**If course was completed during ADN program, 3 credits of Graduate Nursing electives must be completed.
In their final semester, RN to CNL students do CNL immersion hours based on particular unit projects of need identified by UVA Health, which are assigned to students.
