CNL - Clinical Nurse Leader (direct entry)
From IT professionals and English majors to engineering graduates and former attorneys, UVA Nursing's CNL program attracts professionals united in a common purpose: the desire to be nurses.
#1 CNL program in the nation
$96,072
Money for school
97.4% NCLEX pass rate and 97% CNL Certification Exam pass rate
- More than 840 hours of closely mentored clinical experience across five rich healthcare environments
- Opportunities to study and conduct research abroad
- By graduation, 12 graduate credits toward a nurse practitioner MSN and prepared to take the CNL Certification Exam
- Guaranteed admission for UVA School of Nursing alumni
- Application deadline: October 1 (for entry the following May)
The master's entry CNL is for motivated, high-achieving individuals interested in pursuing graduate study to prepare for nursing leadership. This accelerated offering is fast-paced and available to those who already have at least a bachelor's degree in another field. Nationally acclaimed and full-time, this 24-month program leads to a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree, and CNL graduates are eligible to assume positions as registered nurses in a wide variety of clinical settings once they pass the nurse licensing exam, the NCLEX.
UVA's CNL graduates tend to rise rapidly in healthcare communities, given their rich background and exposure to research and leadership, and are increasingly tapped for a new breed of CNL-specific roles at UVA Health and elsewhere. By graduation, they are prepared for work at the bedside, to be leaders in hospital units, and are poised to earn a nurse practitioner or higher degree.
While CNLs are master's educated nurses, graduates are not nurse practitioners but are, instead, prepared for practice across the continuum of care within any healthcare setting and tend to rise quickly in whatever environment they choose.
Direct-Entry CNL and RN to CNL Program Cost
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 |
In addition to two years of full-time classes, including summer sessions, students enjoy clinical experiences across five specialty areas in year one and the chance to practice with a preceptor in a generalist nursing role in a variety of settings for nearly 500 hours during year two. After completing and presenting a final scholarly capstone project, CNL graduates take a required certification exam to become Registered Nurses. They may opt to take the CNL Certification Exam as well.
The CNL was developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in collaboration with leaders from healthcare practice and education to address the critical need to improve the quality of patient care outcomes. The CNL is a clinical leader at the point of care focused on care coordination, outcomes measurement, care transitions, interprofessional communication and team leadership, risk assessment, implementation of evidence-based practices, and quality improvement. Learn more about the role of the CNL and the CNL Competencies and Curricular Expectations on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admission Requirements
To be considered for the CNL, applicants must:
- Submit a completed application, including an $85 application fee
- Have a baccalaureate or master's degree from a regionally accredited school
- Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Have successfully completed the following prerequisites with a B- or higher before enrollment (see pre-approved courses):
- Human anatomy and physiology I within five years of the program start
- Human anatomy and physiology II within five years of the program start
- Microbiology (with or without lab) within five years of the program start
- Statistics at the graduate or undergraduate level within five years of the program start
- Life span development (conception to death)
- Submit three satisfactory recommendations, one of which should be from a healthcare professional with whom you have worked or volunteered
- Submit a resume or CV
- Be available for an interview, if requested
- International applicants have additional requirements
A competitive candidate has:
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.30 or higher
- Grades of A or A- in each prerequisite
- Prior work or volunteer experience in healthcare; exposure to nursing is recommended
- Prior experience in change-related projects (through work or volunteer experiences) or in team leadership
- A medical math course such as Medical Math | Portage College (ed2go.com)
- Excellent writing skills
Classes
- Direct Entry: CNL MSN Plan of Study
Technology Requirements
All graduate nursing students are required to have a laptop; information about these requirements will be sent to enrolling students before classes begin. Please see the School of Nursing Computing Policies for more guidance on laptop ownership requirements.