Bachelor's to DNP Clinical Nurse Leader

These requirements are for students meeting the 2024-2025 catalog and after. This program has 64 total required credits and 1000 practice hours. 

Year One Coursework

Year Two Coursework

Year Three Coursework

Year Four Coursework

Footnotes

• *130 hours
• ** 195 hours
• *** 325 hours
• A minimum of 5 credits per semester are required to be eligible for financial aid.

The graduate from our CNL program is eligible to take the CNL Certification exam, which is managed by the Commission on Nurse Certification, an autonomous arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

• Estimated cost per credit includes general activity fee, university support fee, nursing delivery fee and program delivery fee.
• Estimated cost is based on 2024-2025 BOR tuition/fees.
• Additional costs will be incurred throughout your program, including but not limited to textbooks, background checks, etc.

Financial Aid

SDSU is committed to helping students find the resources available to help pay for college — our Office of Financial Aid is here for you.

There are also scholarship and loan repayment opportunities available.

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Score of 81 Internet-based, OR
IELTS: 6.5 total band
Duolingo: 110

In addition to meeting the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants for graduate study for the Doctor of Nursing Practice must have:

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
• 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to the first clinical course.
• Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
• Online written and verbal assessment completed through KIRA Talent, reviewed and scored by graduate faculty.
• Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine and TB test.
• For Bachelor's to DNP applicants who completed their higher education within the United States:
  • Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
• For Bachelor's to DNP applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:
  • A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
• For Master's to DNP applicants who completed their higher education within the United States: 
  • Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
  • Master’s degree in nursing (from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
• For Master's to DNP applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:
  • A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
  • A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Master’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
• Students who wish to apply to the three year post-master's to DNP must have National certification as a NP, CRNA, CNM or CNS.

Technical Standards

• The goal of the College of Nursing (CON) programs is to prepare every student to think critically, and practice nursing competently and compassionately in rapidly changing practice environments. All efforts are designed to build nursing knowledge, enhance nursing practice and patient safety, foster professional integrity and ultimately improve the health outcomes of patients, families and communities across the continuum of care. In addition, certain functional abilities are essential for the delivery of safe, effective nursing care during clinical training activities. Therefore, the faculty has determined that certain technical standards are requisite for admission, progression and graduation from the nursing programs.
• In addition to classroom learning, clinical learning occurs throughout the program and involves considerations (such as patient safety and clinical facilities) that are not present for classroom accommodations. For this reason, any applicant or student who seeks accommodations should do so prior to enrollment so that there is ample time to evaluate the types of reasonable accommodations needed for the clinical training component of the program.
• An individual must be able to independently, with or without reasonable accommodation, meet the following technical standards of general abilities and those specifically of:
• Observation
• Communication
• Motor
• Intellectual, conceptual and quantitative abilities
• Essential behavioral and social attributes
• Ability to manage stressful situations.
• These requirements pertain to student conduct regardless of the setting (e.g. classroom/didactic, office, on-campus simulation, off-campus clinical, email communications, etc.). Individuals unable to meet these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, will not be able to complete the program and are counseled to pursue alternate careers.
• Students interested in applying for admission to the CON should review the Technical Standards to become familiar with the skills, abilities and behavioral characteristics requirement to complete the program. CON students must review the Technical Standards and acknowledge understanding by signing the multi-release form upon acceptance into the program.
• General Abilities: Functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing and smell is expected of every student so that this sensory information may be integrated, analyzed and synthesized accurately and consistently. A student must also possess the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, vibration and movement which are essential to gather information needed to effectively evaluate and care for patients. Each student must be able to promptly respond to urgent situations that may occur during clinical learning experiences and must not obstruct the ability of other members of the health care team to provide prompt treatment and care to patients.
• Observational Ability: Sufficient capacity to make accurate visual observations and interpret them in the context of laboratory studies, medication administration and patient care activities must be present. The student must consistently be able to document these observations and maintain accurate records.
• Communication Ability: The student must effectively communicate, both verbally and non-verbally, to gather information and to translate that information to diverse others. The abilities each student must possess include: reading, writing, comprehending and speaking the English language to facilitate communication with patients, their family members and other health care professionals. Additional essential abilities are: to maintain accurate patient records, to present information professionally and logically manner; and to provide counseling and teaching to effectively care for patients and their families. Verbal and written communication skills that permit effective communication with students and faculty in both the classroom and clinical settings are expected.
• Motor Ability: Each student is required possess the motor movements needed to perform gross and fine motor skills with sufficient coordination needed to perform complete physical examinations utilizing the techniques of inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation and other diagnostic maneuvers. A student must develop the psychomotor skills reasonably needed to perform or assist with procedures, treatments, administration of medication, management and operation of diagnostic and therapeutic medical equipment, and such maneuvers to assist with patient care activities such as lifting, wheel chair guidance and mobility. The student must have sufficient levels of neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination as well as possess the physical and mental stamina to meet the demands associated with extended periods of sitting, standing, moving and physical exertion required for satisfactory and safe performance in the clinical and classroom settings including performing CPR, if necessary. The student must possess the ability of manual dexterity that would be required for certain activities, such as drawing up solutions in a syringe.
• Conceptual and Quantitative Intellectual Abilities: Developing and refining problem-solving skills are critical developmental learning abilities for students to become practicing nurses. The abilities to measure, calculate, analyze, reason and synthesize objective and subjective data, and to make informed decisions, frequently in a time-sensitive environment are essential for nursing students. These intellectual abilities must reflect careful and consistent deliberation and sound clinical judgment. Mastery of these skills is expected. The ability to integrate and sensitively respond to new information from peers, faculty and the evidence based literature must be present in order to make sound judgments in all aspects of patient care.
• Social and Behavioral Attributes: Students must possess effective interpersonal skills, including the qualities of integrity, compassion, motivation and a genuine concern for others. Students must be comfortable in the role of a student nurse and accept that the role functions under supervision of a clinical instructor or preceptor. Full utilization of the personal intellectual abilities and skills are essential, including sound judgment; timely completion of classroom and clinical responsibilities; and the ability to work with patients and members of the healthcare team effectively and with maturity. Stable, sound judgment must be demonstrated at all times to conduct assessment, intervention and evaluation activities. An ability to sensitively establish rapport and carry out interpersonal relationships with individuals, families and groups from diverse social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds is essential. The student must learn to function cooperatively and efficiently in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice and be able to flexibly adapt to changing environments. A willingness to accept and respond to constructive criticism given in the classroom and clinical settings is critical.
• Management of Stressful Situations: Adapting and functioning effectively in the face of stressful situations, including emergencies or situations in the classroom or clinical are necessary. Nursing education inherently includes encounters with multiple stressors, which may include multiple personal, patient care/family, faculty/peer and or program-related factors.

Reasonable Accommodations

• SDSU CON is committed to providing educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities to afford such students an opportunity equal to that provided to non-disabled students to achieve a desired educational outcome. A “qualified individual” with a disability is one who, with or without reasonable accommodations, meets SDSU’s academic requirements and Technical Standards. Students with disabilities are not required to disclose their disability to the SDSU CON. However, any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Coordinator of Disability Services (605-688-4504 or Fax, 605-688-4987) to privately to discuss their specific needs. The Office of Disability Services is located in room 271 of the University Student Union in Brookings.
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act define a person with a disability as someone who: (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; OR (2) has a record of such an impairment; OR (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. Students are encouraged to meet with the Coordinator of Disability Services (605-688-4504 or Fax, 605-688-4987).
• The Coordinator of Disability Services determines qualified disability status and assists students in obtaining appropriate accommodations and services. The CON provides reasonable accommodations to all students on a nondiscriminatory basis consistent with legal requirements as outlined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to an instruction activity, equipment, facility, program or service that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to fulfill the requirements necessary for graduation from the nursing program. To be eligible for accommodations, a student must have a documented disability of (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one more major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such impairment; or (c) be regarded as having such a condition. While the process for requesting reasonable accommodations may be started at any time, reasonable accommodations may not be implemented retroactively. It is important that students allow ample time for their accommodation requests to be processed. While SDSU CON will make every effort to work with students with disabilities to accommodate their disability-related needs, SDSU CON is not required to provide accommodations that fundamentally alter or waive essential program requirements.

Each applicant is required to complete two applications:

1. Graduate School Application for Admission
2. NursingCAS application

View the application instructions for complete details, application dates and deadlines. Following review of the applications, eligible applicants will be invited to participate in an online interview and online written assessment.

Due to regulations in certain states, South Dakota State University College of Nursing is unable to accept applicants from several identified states as noted on the following link: South Dakota State University - Continuing and Distance Education - state authorization information.

If you are a current resident of a state identified on the listed webpage, we regret that we are unable to consider your application for admission.

If you do not currently reside in one of the identified states and are offered and accept admission, please note that should you relocate to one of the identified states while in the program, you may not be able to complete the program.

In addition, there may be rules and regulations required by the South Dakota Board of Nursing and/or other state Boards of Nursing that may not provide the opportunity for out-of-state applicants to be admitted to any of the graduate nursing programs.

Application Opens: August

Priority Deadline: December 1

Second Deadline: March 1

Final Deadline: April 15

Program Start: August

Applicants who are offered admission to the program will be required to:

• Complete the graduate nursing compliance requirements.
• Submit a non-refundable deposit along with acceptance letter.
• Purchase a laptop computer that meets the computer requirements (unless you already have one).

Compliance Requirements

All undergraduate, master's, postgraduate certificate, Ph.D. and DNP students are required to submit SDSU College of Nursing compliance documents. Documents must be submitted by the deadlines for each program. If documents are missing, students will not be allowed to participate in clinical experiences with each absence considered unexcused. This rule also applies to any compliance documents that require renewal throughout the course of the program.

To better serve our students, SDSU College of Nursing uses a secure, online platform for managing our students' compliance documents. The online management system allows students to meet the requirements of the agencies where they participate in clinical experiences. This online management system provides students with the following features:

• Secure upload of immunization records and other compliance documents from a personal computer or device.
• Electronic access to documents 24/7 while in the program.
• Email reminders for requirements not yet completed or with approaching renewal deadlines.
• Easy and comprehensive way to complete background checks and drug screenings.

Once admitted to the nursing program, the student will be given instructions to complete compliance requirements through the online management system.

Graduate nursing program compliance requirements are comprised of both university requirements and clinical agency requirements. SDSU College of Nursing does not guarantee clinical placement for students who are not in compliance with clinical agency requirements. Clinical agencies may change their compliance requirements at any point in time and students are expected to be in compliance with any of these changes.

Criminal Background Check: Students must complete a criminal background check through the online management system. An annual background check is required.

10-Panel Drug Screen: Students will complete a drug screen through the online management system. Instructions will be provided at the time of purchase, including approved laboratory locations for completing the drug screen.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR): Certification must be Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Provider issued by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

Health Insurance: Students must provide proof of health insurance coverage.

Online Training: HIPAA training will be completed through a designated online platform.

Professional Liability Insurance: Minimum coverage limits of $1,000,000 per incident and $3,000,000 aggregate are required. See details below for the type of professional liability insurance required for your graduate nursing program.

If you currently possess an Advanced Practice RN (APRN) license the following programs require NP Coverage:

• Doctoral: DNP
• Doctoral: Ph.D.
• Postgraduate Certificate: PMHNP
• Postgraduate Certificate: AGACNP

If you DO NOT currently possess an APRN license, the following programs require NP Student Coverage:

• Doctoral: DNP
• Postgraduate Certificate: PMHNP

If you DO NOT currently possess an APRN license, the following programs require Basic RN Coverage:

• Doctoral: Ph.D.
• M.S.N. CNL
• M.S.N.: NA
• M.S.N.: NE

RN license: The student must submit a copy of their current RN license or verification through the state website.

ACLS certification: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) obtained through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross is required for the following graduate programs:

• Doctoral: DNP FNP
• Postgraduate Certificate: AGACNP

Required SDSU College of Nursing Forms:

• Certificate of Health
• Multi-waiver release form
• Room scan consent form
• Participation and self-transportation agreement

Additional Compliance Requirements/Immunizations:

• Tuberculin (TB) testing
• Hepatitis B
• MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis)
• Influenza
• COVID-19

Immunization exemption requests will be submitted in writing using the SDSU immunization exemption request form which will be available in the online management system. An exemption approved by SDSU College of Nursing does not guarantee the exemption will be granted by clinical agencies.