Shape meaningful change as a clinical nurse leader
As a nurse with a BSN, you’ve already made a difference in countless lives. Earning your Master of Science in Nursing with a Clinical Nurse Leader (MSN-CNL) concentration at Davenport University allows you to elevate that impact — transforming from a skilled caregiver into a catalyst for change. This advanced program equips you to lead at the point of care, applying evidence-based practices, data-driven insights and collaborative leadership to improve patient outcomes and system efficiency. Designed for working nurses, Davenport’s online MSN–CNL program empowers you to lead with purpose, elevate your team and make a lasting difference in how care is delivered.
A CNL degree opens the door to a wide range of fulfilling career opportunities in health care settings, such as roles in care coordination, quality improvement, policy development, health information technology and systems leadership. You’ll graduate feeling prepared to lead with confidence in complex care environments.
Leadership roles like the CNL not only expand your professional reach but also offer the potential for higher salaries and greater overall compensation as you advance your nursing career.
Expand your influence and impact — not just your credentials
Step into a leadership role that transforms how care is delivered with Davenport’s MSN–CNL program. As a CNL, you can lead quality improvement projects, use data to advocate for meaningful change and balance patient care with resource management and performance improvement. You may guide clinical teams, make data-driven decisions and manage outcomes that enhance safety, efficiency and patient satisfaction. The clinical nurse leader is a unique role that serves as a vital liaison between frontline nurses and leadership teams — ensuring that every decision supports both exceptional patient care and a stronger health care system.
Explore classes for the clinical nurse leader degree
Students pursuing an MSN with Clinical Nurse Leader concentration already hold a BSN degree. Courses in the program — which are available online — will help you develop advanced skills and specialized knowledge necessary to becoming a competent and confident nurse leader.
Why pursue a nursing master’s degree at Davenport?
Pursuing your MSN with a Clinical Nurse Leader concentration at Davenport means earning a respected degree designed for working nurses who want flexibility and real-world relevance. With online course delivery, you can advance your education on your schedule. You’ll learn from experienced faculty who bring proven leadership experience from the field. Davenport’s close partnerships with organizations such as Corewell Health, Henry Ford Health, MyMichigan, Trinity Health, Mary Free Bed, UM Health Regional Network and many others offer students generous tuition discounts. Plus, you’ll benefit from a personalized, student-focused approach that ensures your goals — and your success — remain at the center of your graduate experience.
Experience the Davenport difference:
 | Convenience of an online nursing master’sChoose a nursing MSN degree program with coursework that’s available 100% online to better accommodate the busy schedules of working nurses like you. |
 | Highly credentialed faculty-mentorsLearn skills from MSN faculty that are respected nurse leaders in the community. |
Get started on your Master of Science in Nursing degree
Explore the admissions requirements and then take the next step toward earning your online nursing master’s degree at Davenport.
Talk to an admissions advisor
Davenport’s admissions team is here to answer your questions. Please call us at 800.686.1600 or email us at info@davenport.edu.
Apply now or request more information
Start on the road to a nursing MSN and a higher nursing leader salary. Request more information or begin your application now.
Programs related to the nursing MSN
Additional resources
In addition to the Clinical Nurse Leader concentration, you can choose from the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration, the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner concentration or the Nurse Educator concentration.
Family Nurse Practitioner concentration
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration
The master's degree program in nursing at Davenport University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
- Current, valid, and unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in a U.S. jurisdiction or province of Canada
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- One professional recommendation
- Official transcripts from previous nursing program(s)
- Resume/CV
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 out of a 4.0
- Professional essay
Out-of-state applicants applying for academic programs leading to professional licensure (ie; FNP), it is highly recommended that students contact the appropriate licensing agency in their state of residence if they are considering an academic program that leads to a professional license. Davenport University offers a state-by-state guide with web links to the appropriate licensing agencies. It is the responsibility of students to contact the appropriate licensing agency and to understand the requirements in their state of residence as applied to their specific situation.
The multifaceted roles of the practical and professional nurse are taught at Davenport University and include care provision, communication, management, and scope of practice. Theoretical foundations shape the curricula and guide the nursing education. The Davenport University Nursing Program is a dynamic system that provides for the educational growth and development of the nursing student. An adaptation of Fawcett’s metaparadigm is utilized and includes person, environment, health, and nursing.
- Person - The concept of a person refers to the individual or individuals as part of culture, family, community or aggregate groups who interact with the nurse in a therapeutic manner.
- Environment - The environment is made up of the physical surroundings and the settings in which the person interacts with society as a whole. This integrates the totality of social, cultural, and religious foundations and influences. Individuals are affected by the environment and, in turn, have the ability to effect the environment.
- Health - The health continuum from birth to death includes physical, mental, cultural, and spiritual elements. Wellness describes the function of a person at his or her maximum potential.
- Nursing - Nursing is a caring profession that is guided by the ANA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Nursing is not limited to physical care but incorporates the promotion, protection, and optimization of health. Nursing practice is guided by research that contributes to the delivery of evidence-based practice.
- Synthesize concepts and theories from nursing and related disciplines and sciences to deliver advanced nursing care.
- Integrate evidence-based knowledge, research, and clinical judgment to design, coordinate, and evaluate the delivery of care.
- Integrate current and emerging health and information technologies effectively into one’s practice to enhance health outcomes.
- Collaborate effectively within an interprofessional context to improve the delivery of care across the health care continuum.
- Apply organizational and systems leadership strategies to promote high quality and safe patient care environments.
- Advocate for policies at the local, state, and national levels to improve health and advance the profession of nursing.
- Demonstrate beginning competency in an advanced nursing role.
Faculty and staff
Associate Dean: Aleta Pillai, PhD, MSN, RN
Department Chair of Nursing and MSN Program Director: Tracy Alberta, PhD, RN
MSN Program Coordinator: Jess Abernathy, DNP, WHNP-BC, CNM, FNP-BC
MSN Program Coordinator: Annette Mannion, MSN, CRNP, IBLC
MSN Faculty: Susan Schriefer, PhD, FNP-BC
MSN Faculty: Deanna Dubay, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Some programs require a student to complete a portion of their degree plan off-campus.
View a full list of those programs and courses
Sources:
Davenport University, 2024/2025 Catalog