Program Description

This online graduate degree in nursing will provide students with the academic knowledge, skills, and expertise to become nurse leaders in diverse healthcare and academic environments. Graduates will be eligible to apply for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Nurse Executive Certification Examination. Courses consist of Master of Science in Nursing core courses, specialty concentration courses, and direct care clinical and leadership courses. This program is for licensed registered nurses (active, unrestricted license) who have a Master of Science in Nursing degree and are interested in advancing their careers in pursuing healthcare leadership and administrative positions.

Individuals considering the Master of Science program should be aware that state requirements for availability of required clinical courses may vary from state to state. Applicants should check with their applicable state board of nursing before enrolling in any graduate nursing program.

Nursing Leadership and Administration Program Outcomes

Students are expected to meet all the objectives of the MSN core courses. In addition, students are expected to meet the following Nurse Leader Concentration objectives. Upon completion of their program, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate critical thinking and decision making when planning, implementing, and evaluating strategies to guide an organization or healthcare system toward successful outcomes.
2. Analyze the impact regulatory agencies exert on fiscal stability, human resources, total quality improvement, and attainment of positive outcomes within a selected healthcare system.
3. Apply ethical and legal principles when making decisions regarding healthcare delivery to diverse populations.
4. Create a plan for evaluating the ability of an organization to adapt to the changing healthcare landscape.
5. Implement the role of the nurse leader or nurse administrator in a selected healthcare setting.

Potential Occupational Titles

Potential occupational titles for this program include, but are not limited to Nurse Leader, Nurse Executive, Nurse Administrator, Chief Nursing Officer, and Chief Nurse Executive

Special Admissions Requirements

Please refer to the “Special Nursing Program Requirements for Admission” policy in the Admissions Information section of this catalog for nursing program admission requirements. Students enrolling in the PMCNLA program must complete NU 610, NU 621, and NU 636 prior to acceptance. In most instances, these courses would be included in a Master of Science in Nursing program.

Program Content

A minimum of 16.00 semester credit hours is required for graduation.