Rush University College of Nursing received high marks in the 2022 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs survey. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Clinical Nurse Leader program secured the No. 4 ranking, receiving 99 out of a possible 100 points.
“I am so proud to see our online MSN program has once again received high marks,” says Christine Kennedy, PhD, RN, FAAN, the John L. and Helen Kellogg Dean at the College of Nursing. "Never have flexible options for graduate school mattered more than during the pandemic over past two years, when nurses across the country have shouldered so much. We are proud to meet these needs and help nurses advance to reach their career aspirations."
Distance learning programs such as the College of Nursing’s Clinical Nurse Leader — or CNL — program play a key role in helping to solve the U.S.’s nursing shortage, which has only been magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CNL program helps advance the careers of registered nurses who already have a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
“We are so proud to receive a strong ranking for our online master's programs again this year,” says Fred Brown, DNP, RN, director of generalist education at the College of Nursing. “Rush’s College of Nursing provides a unique educational experience for nurses seeking the skills to advance to the next stages in their career.
“Our score of 99 out of a possible 100 points recognizes the excellence upon which our program is founded. Our superb faculty and our unwavering commitment to the highest educational standards help us stand out as a top choice for nurses. As an all-online program, we are perfectly positioned to impact nurses across the United States.”
The part-time, all-online CNL program allows nurses the flexibility to complete the degree while continuing to work in their field. The program accepts up to 30 nurses each year. The application period for the summer 2022 term is open until March 1, 2022.
“The Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree continues to be one of the premier programs that addresses the critical need to improve the quality of patient care outcomes across a variety of clinical settings,” says Monique Reed, PhD, RN, FAAN, assistant dean of generalist education at the College of Nursing. “Quality improvement, risk assessment, care coordination and improving point-of-care outcomes are critical elements of the role of clinical nurse leaders, making it a highly sought-after certification in the ever-evolving world of health care. I would encourage any bachelor’s-prepared registered nurses to consider the CNL program at Rush if they are looking for a career path that can have an impact on health outcomes.”
