Nursing

Weekly Q&A: Advanced degrees for CNOs

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, May 31, 2005

In the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® Application Manual (ANCC, 2005), the current criteria for CNO education is a Master's degree. Effective January 1, 2008, CNOs must possess either their Baccalaureate or Master's degree in nursing. This is a new requirement that won't go into effect until 2008 to give CNOs the opportunity to obtain the necessary education. At this point in time, there has been no discussion for exceptions to this eligibility, including grandfathering in CNOs.

Recently, more than 75 of the country's universities have developed education for a new role, the clinical nurse leader. Clinical nurse leaders will study a generalist curriculum at the Master's level to bring a high level of clinical competence and knowledge to organizations, while working at the point of care as clinical resource leaders. Given this initiative, I do not see the criteria for CNOs' education at the Master's level changing in the near future.

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