Master of Science in NursingClinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Gerontology

Henry Predolin College of Health Sciences

Course designed for advanced practice nursing students to enhance assessment skills, formulate differential diagnosis, and develop therapeutic interventions for patients across the lifespan.

This course focuses on health promotion for adults and older adults as well as the management of common acute and chronic health conditions encountered by this population. Students have the opportunity to build on previously acquired skills and to apply concepts of primary care to manage the complex health problems of the adult and older adult population.

Examining the optimization of information management and communication to improve the health of populations, communities, families, and individuals. Frameworks include regulatory, legislative, workflow, electronic health record, billing, and telehealth. Application in professional development, translational research, and bioinformatics (genomics) are explored.

The MSN: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS-AG) program is designed for working nurses who want to advance their careers while balancing professional and personal responsibilities. It follows a structured, year-round format that combines online, accelerated courses with select full-semester coursework to support steady academic progress.

This intentional course sequence allows you to focus on fewer classes at a time while building the advanced clinical knowledge and leadership skills needed for CNS practice. Our sample course plan outlines how the program can be completed in three years, including clinical experiences and advanced practice coursework. While this represents one possible pathway, both full-time and part-time options are available, and you’ll work with an Academic Advisor to choose the pace that best fits your goals and schedule.

Throughout the program, thoughtfully designed coursework, engaging online learning experiences and accessible faculty support help you build confidence as you prepare for advanced practice nursing.

CNS clinical experiences are designed around your professional goals while ensuring you meet the rigorous competencies required for advanced practice nursing. Throughout the program, you will complete 500 total clinical hours, including a required minimum of 90 hours of direct patient care. These direct care experiences provide opportunities to practice advanced assessment, diagnosis, and prescribing skills while developing confidence in your CNS role.

We know you’re entering the program with clinical experience, professional goals, and a vision for the impact you want to make. That’s why faculty work with you to identify meaningful clinical experiences that align with your interests while meeting CNS core competencies.

You will prepare to improve care across the three spheres of CNS practice: the patient, nursing practice, and the healthcare system. Through direct patient care, nursing education, quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and system-level initiatives, every clinical experience is designed to improve patient outcomes—either directly or indirectly.

Your clinical experience is never one size fits all. Faculty take the time to understand your professional goals and help you tailor projects to your intended area of CNS practice. Throughout the program, you’ll also learn how to articulate the value of the CNS role—building the knowledge and tools to demonstrate your impact and help shape a CNS position within your organization.

Clinical I: Nursing Education

Apply advanced clinical knowledge by designing and implementing an education initiative that strengthens nursing practice and improves patient care.

Clinical II: Quality Improvement

Develop a system-wide quality improvement project that addresses a real healthcare challenge using evidence-based practice and measurable outcomes.

Clinical III: Demonstrating CNS Impact

Learn how to evaluate, communicate, and document the impact of CNS practice by measuring outcomes such as improved quality, new revenue, cost savings, or organizational value.

An intentionally immersive experience, Clinical Bootcamp Day requires* students to attend an in-person session at Edgewood University’s Madison, Wisconsin campus before beginning their clinical rotations. This one-day experience is designed to clarify clinical expectations, foster connections with faculty, and reinforce skills introduced in foundational coursework.

During Clinical Bootcamp Day, students will:

• Practice advanced physical examination techniques.
• Refine clinical skills using simulation manikins.
• Participate in focused mini lectures.
• Engage in faculty-led simulation scenarios.
• Practice women’s health assessment skills, including gynecologic and pelvic examination techniques, using the SUSIE® (Standardized Universal System for Instruction in Examination) simulation manikin.
• Practice male genitourinary assessment and examination techniques using simulation models.

These activities are designed to help students ask the right clinical questions, perform confident physical exams, and apply clinical reasoning to arrive at accurate diagnoses.

Students are responsible for their own travel expenses. Feedback has been consistently positive, with many noting the value of hands-on learning and real-time faculty guidance in building confidence prior to clinical practice.

*Virtual participation may be available in limited circumstances with prior approval from the Program Director.

Every student enters the program with different experiences, interests, and career aspirations. That’s why faculty invest time in understanding where you want to go, not just what courses you need to complete.

Throughout the program, you’ll be challenged to think beyond graduation by asking questions like:
What area of nursing are you most passionate about?
What problems do you want to solve?
Where can you make the greatest impact?

Those conversations help shape projects, assignments, and experiences that support your long-term goals.

You’ll also learn how to articulate the value of the CNS role within healthcare organizations. From documenting measurable outcomes to demonstrating organizational impact, you’ll graduate prepared to advocate for the role you want and confidently communicate the difference you will make as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

We encourage students to submit their graduate application and admission materials by the application deadline. Applications submitted after the priority deadline may still be considered for the upcoming start date, but if not, they will be reviewed for the next session.

We’re pleased to offer six entry points throughout the academic year, giving new students flexibility in starting their journey.

1. Completed graduate application.
2. Evidence of a baccalaureate or more advanced degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for regular admission status. The cumulative grade point average is calculated based on the highest degree held at the time of application.
3. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, sent directly to Edgewood University Graduate Admissions.
4. Two letters of recommendation from nursing supervisors and/or colleagues who can speak about the applicant’s potential for success in graduate-level coursework.
5. A written statement, no more than 500 words, addressing the applicant’s interest in admission to Edgewood University’s MSN program and describing past educational and professional experiences that will foster your growth and success in this program.
6. An active license as a registered professional nurse.

Prior to beginning clinical coursework, students must also meet program health and background check requirements (see related FAQs for specific details).

Yes. Applicants who earned their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Edgewood University are eligible for guaranteed admission into the MSN: CNS-AG program if they:

• Graduated with a BSN within the past three years
• Achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on their BSN
• Hold an active registered nurse license.

Applicants who meet these requirements must submit an application to initiate the process. Once received, qualifying applicants will be admitted directly into the MSN: CNS-AG program, and the remaining admission requirements will be waived.

Applicants who do not meet these requirements must complete the full admissions process to be considered.

Core Program Goals and Outcomes for the CNS-AG program include:

Advanced Patient Management
Support graduates in developing the knowledge and confidence to assess, diagnose, prescribe, and manage care for patients with complex and specialized health needs across the continuum of care.

Evidence-Based Leadership
Encourage graduates to integrate the best available evidence into everyday clinical practice, promoting safe, effective, and compassionate care while continually improving patient outcomes.

Systems and Quality Improvement
Prepare graduates to recognize opportunities for improving healthcare quality and safety, collaborate with interprofessional teams, and contribute to meaningful changes that enhance patient care.

Nursing Mentorship
Foster the skills needed to mentor and support fellow nurses, strengthen clinical practice, and contribute to the ongoing growth and advancement of the nursing profession.

Earning a graduate degree is a significant investment in your future, reflecting your commitment to lifelong learning and professional excellence. Our MSN: CNS-AG program is designed to provide exceptional value through expert faculty, hands-on clinical experiences, and career-ready outcomes. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our Tuition & Fees webpage.

Yes. The School of Nursing and all clinical agencies affiliated with Edgewood University require that every student and faculty member complete a background check through the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Justice. Students must submit Background Information Disclosure forms prior to beginning any Nursing Practicum or Advanced Practice Clinical courses. Please note that background checks are completed at the student’s expense.

Yes. Before entering the Nursing Practicum or Advanced Practice Clinical courses, students must provide documentation showing they meet the health requirements of the agency where their clinical experience will take place.

Yes. Students may complete clinical rotations in other states, provided the Program Director holds licensure in that state and the program has the required state authorization.

While our clinical network is strongest in Wisconsin, our dedicated Clinical Placement Coordinator works closely with students throughout the placement process. For those located outside of Wisconsin, we value your local knowledge and professional connections, which help us identify high-quality clinical sites within your geographic region. Together, we secure placements that align with program standards and your professional goals.

Yes. In addition to the required Clinical Bootcamp, students enrolled in Advanced Physical Assessment (NRS 702) may participate in optional Open Lab Sessions on Edgewood University’s Madison campus. These sessions provide additional time to practice hands-on examination skills, ask questions, and build confidence before completing the head-to-toe final assessment.

Nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing can pursue a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Gerontology Post-Master’s Certificate. The number of credits required ranges from 12-24 depending on your current Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) certification.

Yes. Edgewood University offers a full suite of MSN programs designed to fit a variety of career goals and practice areas. Download the MSN Fact Sheet (PDF) to explore programs, courses, and degree requirements.

While the MSN: CNS-AG program does not include a traditional capstone project, students complete a comprehensive scholarly presentation as a culminating experience.