A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) comes with the confidence and authenticity needed for the highest levels of specialized practice. With this DNP, you’ll choose from three population-foci specialty tracks: Adult-Gerontology CNS, Pediatric CNS, and Adult-Gerontology CNS track with women’s health specialty.

Our fully online asynchronous program with optional synchronous sessions allows you to complete the DNP program with a CNS certificate on a timeline that works best for your life.

You are ambitious, seeking opportunities to progress in your career and practice as a nurse beyond acute care. Pursuing a DNP with a CNS certificate allows you to develop a specialty to provide expert-level clinical care to specific patient populations who need individualized care. PLNU values your calling, meeting it with leadership and practical skills you’ll need to grow into prominent roles within complex health systems.

A DNP from PLNU builds upon your expertise and your distinct point of view. Learn from experts in the field, perform evidence-based quality improvement projects catered to your preferences, and walk alongside a mentor throughout the process.

While a Ph.D. in Nursing is most suited for advancement in research and academia, a DNP, CNS is ideal for professionals who want to expand their expertise working chiefly in specialized clinical settings.

Certified Nurse Specialist Certificate

Through our DNP with CNS, you will earn your Doctor of Nurse Practitioner degree while simultaneously completing your Certified Nurse Specialist certificate. With your CNS certificate, you can work in a variety of healthcare settings:

• Hospitals 
• Private clinics 
• Community clinics 
• Long-term care facilities 
• Private care practice 
• And more

Our CNS programs are officially approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. In addition, our Adult-Gerontology CNS with women’s health specialty is presently the only program of its kind in California.

A Strong Impact

When you become a Certified Nurse Specialist (CNS), you will be prepared to advance the standard of care in your area of specialization. When you earn your CNS from PLNU, you will focus on the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of nursing and your specialty, preparing you to make a big impact on patients’ holistic care.

A Healthy Future

The hands-on, evidence-based instruction, clinical hours, mentoring, and networking opportunities through an extensive alumni group, as well as PLNU’s strong nursing reputation set the stage for your continued career success after graduation.

Space to Fully Invest in Work and School

PLNU’s DNP is a fully online asynchronous program where you can pace yourself with online coursework and continue working as a nurse in your field. Our program is CCNE accredited and aligns with the core competencies of an AACN Essentials for Advanced Level Nursing Practice program.

Multiple entry points allow those at most degree levels to earn the DNP. Enter as BSN-prepared and have the option to finish with an MSN or use your MSN clinical work as credits toward the DNP.

Work that is Authentic and Sacred

Nursing as sacred work is a cornerstone value of PLNU’s nursing programs. Learn alongside faculty and colleagues who value it the same way. Any program can teach you skills and best practices; at PLNU seasoned professors serve as academic and professional mentors not only in class but in helping you discover your unique calling.

Which DNP is right for me?

PLNU offers three DNP programs including:

• DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
• DNP Healthcare Leadership
• DNP Clinical Nurse Specialist

Each program is geared to equip you with skills needed for specific nursing roles. While FNPs perform primary care for patients, CNSs provide specialized clinical care for specific patient populations. A DNP in Healthcare Leadership will prepare you to effectively lead entire teams or departments of nurses.

When you complete the DNP program with an CNS certification, you will be able to:

• Create dialogue and strategies supporting practice changes within the healthcare system
• Appraise evidence for best practice implementation through the utilization of information technology
• Synthesize evidence to implement change that affects client outcomes
• Recommend standards for holistic care that meet the client needs
• Analyze own self-care practices that advance optimal care of clients, nurses and organization(s)
• Model graceful service through compassionate responses to patient, family, staff and organizational needs
• Design an environment of advocacy for patient care that honors the diversity of patients/families, healthcare staff and organizations
• Create opportunities to improve the quality of health within a community
• Defend ethical care consistent with professional practice
• Step into leadership, managerial, and nurse educator positions
• Provide a higher level of care with increased professional responsibility and autonomy
• Provide primary and/or preventative care

Two Pathways to Earn Your DNP with an CNS certification

BSN to DNP with CNS

If you already earned your Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you can enter our BSN to DNP with CNS track. This pathway is 76 units and can be completed in as little as 10 semesters.

Complete the program at your own pace through fully online asynchronous classes (with optional synchronous sessions) and in-person clinicals. You are required to complete 1000 clinical hours.

The School of Nursing will assist San Diego residents with clinical placements, however, out-of-state students or San Diego non-residents will need to find their own placements.

You have the flexibility to complete your required clinical or research based project catered to your preferences and passions. Based on your project, you will be able to select a mentor who will work alongside you.

Although an MSN degree is not earned through this pathway you will still earn a DNP degree with CNS certification in a shorter time period than it would take to earn an MSN and DNP separately. There is an MSN stop-out option if you do decide not to complete a DNP degree prior to the 3rd graduate semester. Students who elect to stop-out will receive an MSN degree.

MSN to DNP with CNS

If you have earned an MSN degree, you can complete your DNP with CNS certification in as little as 10 semesters. This fully asynchronous online program is 55-65 units – depending on the prerequisites you enter the program with.

You are required to complete 1000 clinical hours, including a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care clinical hours and 500 hours related to the DNP project. 

The School of Nursing will assist San Diego residents with clinical placements, however, out-of-state students or San Diego non-residents will need to find their own placements.

You have the flexibility to complete your required clinical or research based project catered to your preferences and passions. Based on your project, you will be able to select a mentor who will work alongside you.

Compare the two different DNP with CNS pathways

Depending on where you are in your educational journey, there are different paths you can take to earn your DNP with CNS.

Speak with your admissions counselor to identify where you are at.

Apply Now

Schedule a Meeting with a Counselor

Professional Licensure or Certification

This program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and meets the requirements for licensure or certification in the state of California, where Point Loma Nazarene University is physically located. For information about PLNU programs and out-of-state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification, please refer to our disclosures page. Information about out-of-state requirements in Nursing are available on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Point Loma Nazarene University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

You will be eligible to take the CNS certification examination by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) upon completion of the program.

Program Start Date(s):

• Summer 2025 — May 12, 2025
• Fall 2025 — September 2, 2025

Application Deadline(s):

• Summer 2025 — April 25, 2025
• Fall 2025 Priority Deadline — March 1st, 2025
• Fall 2025 — August 15, 2025

All applications submitted after this date will be reviewed based on availability of space.

Start Application

Application Checklist

Admission to the program is based on an overall appraisal of the applicant's ability to undertake doctoral study and their contributions to the discipline of nursing as evidenced by the following:

1. Documentation of current RN license
2. Current employment in nursing or at least 1 year of full-time practice in the last 5 years
3. Online application for admissions (includes $50 non-refundable application fee)
   Fee waived if applicant is one of the following: PLNU alum, current or former military and their dependents, PLNU employee
4. Submit official transcripts. (If you are a PLNU alumnus, please notify your counselor to have your transcripts retrieved. You do not need to request transcripts from the PLNU Office of Records.)
   
   Official transcripts must be sent to:
   Point Loma Nazarene University
   Office of Graduate Admissions
   3900 Lomaland Dr.
   San Diego, CA 92106
   
   Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to:
   gradprocessing@pointloma.edu
    
5. Minimum grade point average of 3.2 (MSN)
6. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
7. Once you have submitted your admissions application, your two selected professional recommenders will automatically be sent the auto-generated document to complete on your behalf. If you'd like to include a written letter in addition to this required document, you may do so, but it's unnecessary.
8. A personal essay of approximately 250 words identifying a change of practice issue related to your professional goals
9. After all application materials are submitted, an interview with the School of Nursing is scheduled

The Selection Process

The educational context at PLNU will challenge you to live a full life that integrates the pursuit of knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions. While acknowledging diverse perspectives and beliefs, Christian values and principles are woven into the educational experience. We understand your application is not only a reflection of you as a student; it’s a reflection of you as a person.

At PLNU, we holistically evaluate your academic history, work and life experience, background, and circumstances to determine admission into a graduate program. If you do not meet all of the above criteria, PLNU offers an exceptions policy. Speak with your admissions counselor for more information.

State Authorization

In certain states outside California, PLNU is not authorized to enroll students in online courses and/or offer internships. If a student moves to another state after admission to a program or enrollment in an online course, continuation in the program/course will depend on whether PLNU is authorized within that state. Please refer to the State Authorization map to view which states allow online courses and/or internships.

PLNU’s DNP with CNS will prepare you for the highest levels of nursing leadership and to engage on policy-level decisions regarding patient care. Some even pursue entrepreneurship and open their own nurse-run clinics.

The versatile set of skills you’ll develop by pursuing a degree in nursing from PLNU prepares you for nursing in a variety of settings. PLNU nursing alumni have held various positions in hospitals, clinics, medical missions, and public health institutions. PLNU cultivates passion, professionalism, and a values-driven approach to work in a context that intersects your intellect and faith, equipping you to become a trustworthy leader in your workplace.

PLNU’s DNP program will prepare you for leadership in a variety of fields. 

• University Faculty Member
• Nurse Manager
• Director
• Administrator
• Practice Nurse
• Entrepreneur

Different Career Outcomes for DNPs with CNS:

Clinical Nurse Manager
Average Salary: $84,690

A clinical nurse manager oversees and supervises one to two units in a clinical setting. You will provide support and a safe environment for your staff and patients. Part of your role also includes staffing, case management, discharge planning, scheduling, mentoring, and recruitment.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Clinical Nurse Specialist
Average Salary: $98,240

As an ICU CNS, you play a vital role in effectively merging the needs of patients, your colleagues, and the organization you are working with. You support with patient and staff education and ensure you meet proper healthcare protocols to maintain safety for everyone. You may work in a variety of settings from pediatric ICU and beyond.

For information about the courses required for the Doctor of Nursing Practice, Clinical Nurse Specialist program, view the PLNU Catalog. 

Course Information