Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Students have the opportunity to acquire essential skills required of a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), such as effective rounding strategies, negotiation of resources, and participation in ethical decision making processes. It prepares you to lead and manage change effectively in the evolving health care environment. The graduate CNS has a substantial knowledge base regarding resource utilization, staff engagement and leading the intra-professional team.

A CNS is uniquely qualified to assume a wide variety of roles including Patient Safety Specialist, Patient Education Specialist, Quality Improvement Specialist, Academic Educator, Clinical Educator, Transitional Care Coordinator, Complex Case Manager Consultant and Nurse Entrepreneur.

There are many jobs for CNSs in Southern California and across the nation and Canada. CNSs are valuable members of the health care leadership team. While most jobs exist within hospitals, there are also other positions in health care organizations within the community. CNN has rated CNS as one of the best jobs in America.

Students carry out an evidence-based project with one-on-one mentoring from your PhD prepared experienced faculty.

Yes, and faculty have research doctorates. They have worked and continue to work as CNSs in our community. They have CNS practice in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, clinics and research centers. They have direct experience caring for patients in the CNS role. They've led unit-based and system-wide evidence-based practice projects, quality projects and research projects—and they've improved both quality and cost outcomes for patients, nurses and organizations.

The academic environment at USD encourages students to expand their knowledge, explore their creativity, and grow into the CNS role. Along the way you'll be surrounded by professors and faculty focused on your success as a student and future CNS.

Early in the program, faculty examine student past experiences to outline future clinical priorities for their clinical practicum experiences. We then create semester-by-semester goals to meet the identified gaps. Through early identification of the student’s career goals, each clinical rotation provides the necessary experiences to meet individual growth needs.

USD employs a placement coordinator who meets with you and collaborates with you and your faculty to find the best fit for you and your future goals. Considerations include your past experiences, specialty area, types of practice and future goals. There are many expert CNS leaders in the community who consistently serve as preceptors for our students.

There are two Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS) certification exams that you may choose from upon completion of the program: American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN); and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

The program is a campus-based program. Some courses may be offered in a hybrid format.

Applicants who file the FAFSA by the priority deadline of April 1 will automatically be considered for scholarships or grants for which they are eligible. This includes merit scholarships.