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Nursing, M.S. (Clinical Nurse Leader)

1. Knowledge for Nursing Practice: Integrates an understanding of nursing’s distinct and shared disciplinary perspectives and applies theoretical and empirical knowledge from the humanities and natural, social, behavioral and nursing sciences to form the basis for clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice.

2. Person-Centered Care: Engages in nursing care through the relational lens, which fosters caring relationships, mutuality, active participation, and individual empowerment in the delivery and communication of compassionate person-centered nursing care through cura personalis.

3. Population Health: Collaborates with diverse stakeholders for the advancement of effective partnerships, health policy and improvement of equitable population health outcomes related to the social determinants of health.

4. Scholarship for Nursing Discipline: Applies, translates, and implements best evidence and client values into clinical decision-making.

5. Quality and Safety: Enhances quality of care while minimizing risk of harm to clients and providers through system effectiveness and individual performance.

6. Interprofessional Partnerships: Collaborates across professions with care team members, clients, clients, families, communities, and other stakeholders to optimize care, enhance the health care experience and strengthen outcomes.

7. Systems-Based Practice: Effectively and proactively coordinates resources to provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations within complex health care systems to address social and structural determinants of health.

8. Informatics and Health Care technologies: Utilizes information processes and technologies to manage and improve the delivery of safe, high-quality and efficient health care services.

9. Professionalism: Cultivates a sustainable professional nursing identity, accountability, perspective, collaborative disposition and ethical principles that reflects nursing’s characteristics and values.

10. Personal, Professional and Leadership Development: Participates in activities and self-reflection through Ignatian pedagogy which foster personal health, resilience, and well-being while supporting the acquisition of nursing expertise, lifelong learning and the leadership continuum.

Admission Requirements

The Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing adheres to the principles of a holistic admission process in which selection criteria are broad-based and linked to our University’s and school’s mission and goals. While we do consider academic metrics, we also look at applicant experiences, attributes, potential for success, and how applicants may contribute to the school’s learning environment and to the profession.

  • Completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited college or university.
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale.
  • Background checks and negative drug screenings are required after acceptance.

Application Requirements

Please follow the three steps outlined below to apply:

Step 1 - Application:

Submit the application form and pay the associated fee through NursingCAS. Select Saint Louis University. 

Step 2 - Transcripts

Please submit your official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended directly to NursingCAS. They will provide details when the application is initiated.

​Step 3 - RN License:

Attach a copy of your unencumbered registered nurse license in the state in which clinical experience will be done within the NursingCAS application.

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

  • Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
  • Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships. 
  • Proof of financial support that must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
    • Courses taken and/or lectures attended
    • Practical laboratory work
    • The maximum and minimum grades attainable
    • The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
    • Any honors or degrees received.

WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Application Deadlines

Admissions are rolling, with the following deadlines:

  • Fall semester start: July 15
  • Spring semester start: December 15
  • Summer semester start: April 15

Review Process

Applicants for admission to this program are considered individually.

Program Requirements 

NURS 5170Advanced Pathophysiology3
NURS 5140Health Promotion3
NURS 5020Health Care Systems & Policy3
NURS 5110Advanced Assessment and Clinical Decision Making3
NURS 5200Gen Research Methods3
NURS 5025Informatics and Quality Improvement3
NURS 5045Role Acquisition for the Clinical Nurse Leader (75 Clinical Hours)3
HCE 5500Ethics in Nursing& Health Care2
NURS 5080Advanced Pharmacology3
NURS 5604Advanced Clinical Studies (225 Clinical Hours)3
NURS 5605Practicum in Clinical Leadership (225 Clinical Hours)3
Total Credits32

Nurse Educator Option

Nurse educator courses provide an opportunity for course work and practicum experience in nursing education. NURS 5560 Evidence-Based Approaches for the Nurse Educator (2 cr) may be added to earn the Nurse Educator Certificate.

NURS 5570Curriculum Development in Nurse Education2-3
NURS 5580Instructional Strategies and Evaluation in Nurse Education2
NURS 5590Practicum in Nursing Education2
Total Credits6-7

Non-Course Requirements

Students will complete 525 clinical hours which includes 75 hours in Role Acquisition of the Clinical Nurse Leader; 225 hours in Advanced Clinical Studies; 225 hours in Practicum in Clinical Leadership.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
SpringCredits
NURS 5045 Role Acquisition for the Clinical Nurse Leader (75 Clinical Hours) 3
NURS 5140 Health Promotion 3
 Credits6
Summer
HCE 5500 Ethics in Nursing& Health Care 2
 Credits2
Fall
NURS 5080 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS 5170 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
 Credits6
Year Two
Spring
NURS 5110 Advanced Assessment and Clinical Decision Making 3
NURS 5200 Gen Research Methods 3
 Credits6
Summer
NURS 5020 Health Care Systems & Policy 3
 Credits3
Fall
NURS 5025 Informatics and Quality Improvement 3
NURS 5604 Advanced Clinical Studies (225 Clinical Hours) 3
 Credits6
Year Three
Spring
NURS 5605 Practicum in Clinical Leadership (225 Clincal Hours) 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits32

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact the School of Nursing's recruitment and enrollment staff:

Undergraduate Inquiries
314-977-8995 
slunurse@slu.edu 

Graduate Inquiries
314-977-8995
slunurse@slu.edu