The CNS program is a 43 semester hour program. This includes the 12 credits of clinical. Most students successfully complete the program in 2 to 3 years by taking 7 to 9 credits in the fall and spring semesters and 3 to 6 credits in the summer. The program must be completed in 5 years.
Yes, a minimum of 500 hours of educationally supervised clinical experiences are required to be eligible to sit for ANCC, AACN, or palliative care certification as a CNS. Our program requires 540 hours (12 credits); CNS seminar hours are counted for some of these clinical hours.
Advanced practicum is associated with each of the CNS specialty knowledge courses. Students perform clinical hours in each of the CNS sub-roles: clinical expert, educator, researcher, leader/manager and consultant/collaborator. Students write objectives for each clinical experience and mutually decide, with the faculty member supervising the clinical practicum, on the number of clinical hours to perform in each of the CNS sub-roles. A change project in the clinical setting is completed by all matriculated CNS students.
Over two thirds of the didactic courses are offered in both an online and in class format which alternate semester to semester. Your academic advisor will work with you to develop a program plan to meet your individual needs and learning preferences. Nurse practitioner students can utilize face-to-face interactions and limit travel time by attending classes in an intensive format involving 3-4 days (between semesters) on campus, with online follow-up during the semester. Online supervision may be available for students completing clinical requirements located out of the Denver metro area.
Yes, although we have many distance learning options some courses must be completed on campus.
No, you do not have to come to Colorado for your practicum and you can be licensed in your current state. We will work with you to arrange the clinicals with qualified preceptors in your local community. All preceptors have to be approved by CNS faculty and a current resume is required to be on file.
Preceptors will vary with the type of clinical experience you are seeking. Preceptors suitable for CNS clinical experiences include advanced practice nurses (APNs) (i.e., CNS or NP), physicians and allied health professionals (e.g., respiratory therapy, nutrition, etc.). The majority of your hours should be completed with CNSs. We maintain a list of qualified preceptors in the Denver metro and surrounding areas.
Yes, our courses provide you with the knowledge and skills to take the ANCC certification exam as a CNS-med-surg, or for the critical care CNS credential (CCNS) through AACN, or for certification as a palliative care CNS.
If you have a master's degree as a CNS, however did not have 500 hours of educationally supervised clinical and now you want to sit for CNS certification. Here is how you can get the remaining hours you need to meet this new requirement:
We have started a CNS clinical certificate that we will offer through the Office of Lifelong Learning. This program will allow the master's prepared CNS to complete the hours they need for certification in an educational setting.
Yes, you may take up to 12 semester credits as a non-degree student prior to being accepted to the program. You must meet all prerequisite requirements of the course. Non-degree students register on a space available basis during open enrollment just prior to the beginning of the semester. Students enrolled as non-degree seeking are not eligible for financial aid. Please see the Office of Professional Development for more information.
CNSs work primarily in hospitals, but may also work in corporations, educational institutions and in public health. Our graduates are prepared to work in institutional facilities such as a specialty clinics or an ambulatory center, or for work with vendor organizations.
The adult CNS typically works in a hospital setting, but can also work with outpatient populations such as in a specialty practice, clinic or in community practice settings.