The Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are advanced practice nurses with clinical expertise in diagnosis and treatment used to prevent, remediate, or alleviate illness and promote health within a defined specialty population.  CNSs are change agents who concentrate on achieving safe, cost-effective, patient-focused outcomes though evidence-based care and transprofessional collaboration across three spheres of influence:  the patient/client, the nurses/nursing, and the system/organizational spheres.  CNS practice may include prescriptive authority, viewed in the broad sense as consultations with other disciplines, ordering diagnostic tests/surveillance, and ordering durable medical equipment, along with the prescribing of pharmacologic agents.

Advanced Practice Program Core Requirements

A total of 44 to 47 credit hours are required for completion of the clinical nurse specialist tracks. The following courses must be completed by all clinical nurse specialist students:

Core Requirements	Credit Hours
N5013: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice	3
N5023: Research in Nursing	3
N5644: Advanced Assessement	4
B5333: Advanced Pathophysiology	3
N5643: Pharmacotherapeutics	3
N5003: Health Promotion	3
N5002: Advanced Nursing Practice Role	2
N5001: Role Seminar	1
Professional Project or Thesis: --N5963: Professional Project (3 hours) --N5983: Thesis I (3 hours) --N5993: Thesis II (3 hours)	3/6
TOTAL	25/28 hrs.

In addition, clinical nurse specialist students complete 19 credit hours of clinical courses in their specialty area.

Adult Health CNS available at Houston Center

Adult  Health Clinical Specialist students focus on promoting the health of adults through theory and research-based interventions. Protocols for treatment decisions, referrals and follow-up are used in the management of commonly encountered health deviations in the adult population.

Clinical Courses	Credit Hours
N5525: Adult Health Nursing I	5
N5305: Adult Health Nursing II	5
N5315: Adult Health Nursing III	5
N5684: CNS Preceptorship	4
TOTAL	19

Child Health CNS available at Dallas Center

Child Health Clinical Specialist students focus on the common acute and chronic illnesses experienced by children and adolescents. Physiological, behavioral and family theories are used in all phases of clinical maintenance of these clients.

CNS Clinical Courses	Credit Hours
N5325: Child Health Nursing I	5
N5305: Child Health Nursing II	5
N5315: Child Health Nursing III	5
N5684: CNS Preceptorship	4
TOTAL	19