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The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed to prepare leaders for the nursing profession who have expertise in advanced nursing practice with an individual specialization. The DNP Program is consistent with the overall mission of the School of Nursing which is to prepare nursing leaders who can facilitate quality health care for our nation. The Adult-Gerontology Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) track prepares nurses for an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) role as an expert in the care of adults. Clinical nurse specialists are one of the four types of advanced practice registered nurses. Adult–Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialists are expert clinicians with advanced education in a specialized area of nursing practice (including nut not limited to women’s health (perinatal), critical care, oncology, emergency/trauma, and ambulatory care) who work in a wide variety of health care settings, such as a hospital, private practice, or a clinic. Clinical nurse specialists provide diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of patients who are acutely or chronically ill. They also provide expertise and support to nurses caring for patients at the bedside, help drive practice changes throughout the organization, and ensure the use of best practices and evidence-based care to achieve the best possible patient outcomes. CNSs have the skills and expertise to identify gaps in health care delivery and to help design, implement, assess and evaluate health care interventions to improve health care delivery and outcomes.

Graduates are eligible for certification as Clinical Nurse Specialists in the State of California and for national certification as Adult Health/ Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialists by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).