Best institutions to study Clinical Nurse Leader
A program that prepares registered nurses for careers as clinical nurse leaders in which they work as part of an interdisciplinary team that provides direct medical care for patients based on evidence-based practice and research.
24 U.S. institutions graduated 588 Clinical Nurse Leader students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3820, a specialization of Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38), and leads most directly to the Registered Nurses occupation (BLS SOC 29-1141).
About Clinical Nurse Leader programs
A program that prepares registered nurses for careers as clinical nurse leaders in which they work as part of an interdisciplinary team that provides direct medical care for patients based on evidence-based practice and research. Includes instruction in pharmacology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, research in nursing methods, advanced health assessment, statistics, and clinical practice management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Clinical Nurse Leader program prepares registered nurses for advanced roles as clinical nurse leaders, where they collaborate within interdisciplinary teams to provide direct patient care. This program emphasizes evidence-based practices and research, equipping nurses with the skills necessary to improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.
Students in this program gain knowledge in pharmacology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, and advanced health assessment. Coursework also includes research in nursing methods, statistics, and clinical practice management, fostering essential skills such as critical thinking and active learning.
Credentials awarded
What Clinical Nurse Leader graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree560 graduates / yr · 21 institutions95%
- Post-master's certificate13 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.2%
- Bachelor's degree7 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.0%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Clinical Nurse Leader completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 311 |
| 2013 | 304 |
| 2014 | 349 |
| 2015 | 343 |
| 2016 | 352 |
| 2017 | 448 |
| 2018 | 492 |
| 2019 | 527 |
| 2020 | 415 |
| 2021 | 444 |
| 2022 | 502 |
| 2023 | 446 |
| 2024 | 434 |
| 2025 | 588 |
Top 24 institutions for Clinical Nurse Leader, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 163 | 70% | $37,121 | $101,731 |
| 2 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 141 | 20% | $19,369 | $85,426 |
| 3 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicMaster's | 58 | 67% | — | $84,859 |
| 4 | Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 41 | 30% | $28,376 | — |
| 5 | University of San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 39 | 84% | $26,035 | — |
| 6 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 30 | 69% | $19,944 | $81,761 |
| 7 | Samuel Merritt University Oakland, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | — | — | $119,486 |
| 8 | Curry College Milton, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | 51% | $28,321 | $79,242 |
| 9 | Chamberlain University - Illinois Addison, ILPrivate for-profitMaster's | 13 | 42% | $29,024 | $83,188 |
| 10 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 12 | 85% | $25,874 | $75,093 |
| 11 | Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Valley, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 57% | $25,843 | $82,372 |
| 12 | University of Maine at Augusta Augusta, MEPublicBachelor's | 7 | 27% | — | $82,845 |
| 13 | Lander University Greenwood, SCPublicMaster's | 6 | 50% | — | $78,485 |
| 14 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 61% | — | $85,733 |
| 15 | Spring Hill College Mobile, ALPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 52% | $14,119 | — |
| 16 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicMaster's | 3 | 76% | — | $77,271 |
| 17 | Sentara College of Health Sciences Chesapeake, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | — | — | $76,356 |
| 18 | Central Methodist University - College of Graduate and Extended Studies Fayette, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 0% | $14,535 | $73,569 |
| 19 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster's | 2 | 75% | — | $69,368 |
| 20 | Morningside University Sioux City, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 50% | $22,816 | $68,397 |
| 21 | La Salle University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 57% | $21,997 | $84,400 |
| 22 | Moravian University Bethlehem, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 72% | $28,454 | $82,585 |
| 23 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TXPublicMaster's | 1 | — | — | $80,433 |
| 24 | Edgewood University Madison, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 60% | $23,822 | $73,249 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Registered Nursing field (CIP 51.38) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 18 states
Where Clinical Nurse Leader graduates come from. Each state links to all Registered Nursing programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4 | 265 | University of San Francisco163 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 141 | Capella University141 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 58 | Rowan University58 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 30 | Pacific Lutheran University30 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 19 | Curry College19 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 15 | Gwynedd Mercy University12 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 13 | Chamberlain University - Illinois13 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 12 | University of Rochester12 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 7 | University of Maine at Augusta7 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 6 | Lander University6 / yr |
| Iowa | 2 | 4 | University of Iowa2 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 4 | University of Nevada - Reno4 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 3 | Spring Hill College3 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 3 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus3 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 3 | Sentara College of Health Sciences3 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 3 | Central Methodist University - College of Graduate and Extended Studies3 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 1 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston1 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | Edgewood University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1141, Registered Nurses, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Clinical Nurse Leader program can pursue careers as registered nurses, medical and health services managers, or nursing instructors. The job outlook for registered nurses is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 189,100 annual openings. The median wage for registered nurses is $93,600.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3820
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Registered Nursesprimary SOC 29-1141 | $97,550 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~189,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Medical and Health Services Managers SOC 11-9111 | $123,860 | +23.2% Much faster than average | ~62,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Nurse Practitioners SOC 29-1171 | $132,300 | +40.1% Much faster than average | ~29,500 | Master's degree |
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1072 | $80,250 | +16.8% Much faster than average | ~8,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Clinical Nurse Leader programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
Tools and technology used
Other Registered Nursing specializations
The 22 other 6-digit CIP codes under Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38).
- Registered Nursing/CIP 51.3801
Registered Nurse 263,325 graduates / yr2,067 institutions - Family Practice Nurse/CIP 51.3805
Nursing 14,703 graduates / yr293 institutions - Nursing PracticeCIP 51.38189,384 graduates / yr322 institutions
- Nursing AdministrationCIP 51.38027,804 graduates / yr198 institutions
- Psychiatric/CIP 51.3810
Mental Health Nurse/ Nursing 5,358 graduates / yr179 institutions - Nursing ScienceCIP 51.38084,605 graduates / yr148 institutions
- Registered NursingCIP 51.38993,940 graduates / yr99 institutions
- Nurse AnesthetistCIP 51.38042,183 graduates / yr72 institutions
- Adult Health Nurse/CIP 51.3803
Nursing 2,125 graduates / yr75 institutions - Public Health/CIP 51.3811
Community Nurse/ Nursing 934 graduates / yr21 institutions - Geriatric Nurse/CIP 51.3821
Nursing 680 graduates / yr43 institutions - Nurse Midwife/CIP 51.3807
Nursing Midwifery 530 graduates / yr22 institutions - Critical Care NursingCIP 51.3814505 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Pediatric Nurse/CIP 51.3809
Nursing 389 graduates / yr36 institutions - Women's Health Nurse/CIP 51.3822
Nursing 350 graduates / yr15 institutions - Perioperative/CIP 51.3812
Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/ Nursing 150 graduates / yr10 institutions - Maternal/CIP 51.3806
Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/ Nursing 149 graduates / yr14 institutions - Clinical Nurse SpecialistCIP 51.3813135 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Emergency Room/CIP 51.3816
Trauma Nursing partial data83 graduates / yr9 institutions - Forensic NursingCIP 51.3824partial data26 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Occupational and Environmental Health NursingCIP 51.3815partial data21 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Palliative Care NursingCIP 51.3819partial data19 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a Post-master's certificate, or a Bachelor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication skills.
What are the primary tasks of a clinical nurse leader?+
Tasks include administering medications, monitoring patient conditions, and maintaining accurate medical records.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 24 colleges offering the Clinical Nurse Leader program in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Clinical Nurse Leader?+
Clinical Nurse Leader is CIP 51.3820 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares registered nurses for careers as clinical nurse leaders in which they work as part of an interdisciplinary team that provides direct medical care for patients based on evidence-based practice and research. Includes instruction in pharmacology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, research in nursing methods, advanced health assessment, statistics, and clinical practice management.
How many institutions offer Clinical Nurse Leader programs?+
24 U.S. institutions reported Clinical Nurse Leader graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 18 states, awarding 588 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all Registered Nursing graduates.
How much do Clinical Nurse Leader graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Registered Nurses occupation, which Clinical Nurse Leader most directly leads to, pays a median of $97,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Registered Nursing field report median earnings of $81,761 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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