The Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing offers a 42-credit Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) program leading to a master of science (MS) degree. The program prepares nurses to assume an advanced practice nursing role as an adult-gerontology CNS in a variety of health care settings, from acute care to home care. Nurses who earn this degree are preparing themselves for advanced practice positions in medical-surgical specialties within acute care or community-based nursing services.
The program consists of 42 credits (which include the requisite 500 clinical practicum hours for specialty certification) and can be completed by full-time students in under four years. Students have five years to complete degree requirements, however, and many students earn the degree by attending part-time. Courses are offered in the late afternoons and evenings. Graduates of the program meet educational requirements for specialty certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.