Advance your nurse educator career

Certification Prep | Expert nursing faculty guidance | 100% online| 6.0 Nursing CEs

Interested in advancing your nursing career while gaining the skills and credentialing to teach the next generation of nurses?

The CNEcl Certification Preparation Course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge needed for the National League of Nursing (NLN) Certified Academic Nurse Educator (CNE®cl) examination. This course offers flexible options, with a fully self-paced experience, a 6-module asynchronous course, or an enhanced 8-module version with the added benefit of 2 live virtual sessions. 

100% of participants who completed both the synchronous and asynchronous courses passed the NLN CNE®cl exam on the first attempt.

 

This comprehensive review course provides asynchronous and synchronous sessions to prepare participants for the National League of Nursing (NLN) Certified Academic Nurse Educator (CNE®cl) examination and is structured to align with the NLN's exam blueprint. Participants will identify and explore in depth the six competencies that describe the role of the academic clinical nurse educator:

  1. Function within the Education and Health Care Environment
  2. Facilitate Learning in the Health Care Environment
  3. Demonstrate Effective Interpersonal Communication and Collaborative Interprofessional Relationships
  4. Apply Clinical Expertise in the Health Care Environment
  5. Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization
  6. Implement Effective Clinical Assessment & Evaluation Strategies

Check the NLN website for certification eligibility criteria.

100% online, hybrid model

  • 6 modules of online, asynchronous content (6 hours total) or 
  • 8 module enhanced version with the added benefit of 2 live virtual sessions led by nurse educators, to actively practice test questions and identify study and test preparation skills (2 hours total)

The course is offered twice a year: Spring and Fall.

This course is ideal for registered nurses with a Bachelor’s Degree or higher and at least three years of nursing experience who are interested in working as nursing clinical faculty.
 

Fees

6-Module Asynchronous Course – $165

  • Flexible Learning: Six hours of high-quality, online, asynchronous content accessible anytime, anywhere—ideal for busy professionals balancing work and life commitments.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: The modules thoroughly cover all key areas of the CNEcl certification exam, providing a solid foundation for success.

8-Module Course: 6 Asynchronous Modules and 2 Live Virtual Sessions – $250

  • Live Virtual Sessions: Two additional hours of live virtual sessions led by experienced nurse educators. These sessions are designed to actively practice test questions, refine study strategies, and enhance test preparation skills.
  • Interactive Learning: Direct engagement with expert instructors and peers, with opportunities to ask questions in real-time, practice questions with expert feedback, and receive personalized guidance to ensure thorough preparation for the exam.

Apply for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Scholarship

See "Scholarship Info" section for details.

MGH Institute of Health Professions School of Nursing will offer a number of scholarship spots for this review course through a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) grant in an effort to train more nurse educators. Learn more about the DOL grant

The scholarship will cover the following:

  • Tuition to this MGH IHP review course (valued at $250)
  • NLN Official CNE®cl Test Review book (valued at $42)
  • Certification examination fee (valued at $300).

Eligibility criteria for the scholarship is aligned with the criteria to sit for the NLN CNE®cl certification exam:

  • A baccalaureate degree in nursing
  • Valid licensure/certificate of unencumbered practice in one's country of residence
  • Have at least 3 years of professional practice in any area of nursing
  • Have at least 2 years of teaching experience in an academic setting within the last 5 years.

Apply/Qualify for Scholarship

MGH Institute of Health Professions School of Nursing Grant is supported by a $7 million grant over five years from the Department of Labor. A total of $5.9 million, or 80 percent of the program is financed with federal funds, $1.1 million, or 20 percent is via matching and other funding sources.

Learning Outcomes

Discuss the core competencies that comprise the NLN test blueprint for the Academic Clinical Nurse Educator exam.

Formulate a CNEcl exam study plan based on personalized opportunities for growth.
 

illustration of an open book

Describe content related to the clinical nurse educator task statements.
 

Our Faculty

Rachael Salguero in red shirt

Track Coordinator Nursing Education Assistant Professor Nursing

Elaine Tagliareni in pink blazer

Director of Faculty Development Professor Nursing

Continuing Education Credits

Joint Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, MGH Institute of Health Professions is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

The course is accredited by the Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education and offers 6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for both the asynchronous or synchronous option.