MSN, Nursing Leadership and Administration
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
The MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration specialization presents advanced theories, research, and evidence-based best practices for executive leadership and administration in nursing. Learners develop the knowledge and skills nurse executives need to lead health care innovations, respond to health care challenges and trends, and manage health care quality and safety as well as the finance and operations of the health care organization. Throughout the specialization, learners also assess and further strengthen their characteristics as ethical and culturally aware health care leaders, visionaries, and risk takers and gain an understanding of how to effectively communicate with other members of a health care team to promote strategic thinking, planning, and interprofessional collaboration in practice. Successful graduates of this specialization are prepared to pursue roles as nurse executives in a variety of health care delivery settings.
Practicum Requirement(s)
Minimum of 100 practicum hours. See the Practicum section, below, for more information.
Additional Program Requirements
Core courses†
| NHS5004 | Communication, Collaboration, and Case Analysis for Master's Learners | 4 |
| NHS6004 | Health Care Law and Policy | 4 |
| NHS6008 | Economics and Decision Making in Health Care | 4 |
| NURS6011 | Evidence-Based Practice for Patient-Centered Care and Population Health | 4 |
| NURS6016 | Quality Improvement of Interprofessional Care | 4 |
| NURS6021 | Biopsychosocial Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice 1 | 4 |
| NURS6026 | Biopsychosocial Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice 2 | 4 |
| NURS6030 | MSN Practicum and Capstone | 6 |
Specialization courses
| NURS6210 | Leadership and Management for Nurse Executives | 4 |
| NURS6212 | Health Care Quality and Safety Management | 4 |
| NURS6214 | Health Care Informatics and Technology | 4 |
| NURS6216 | Advanced Finance and Operations Management | 4 |
| NURS6218 | Leading the Future of Health Care | 4 |
Total
At least 54 quarter credits
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
† Learners are responsible for the cost of their travel, accommodations, food, and other expenses associated with NURS6030.
Alabama residents are not eligible to enroll in this program.
This specialization does not prepare graduates for licensure as an RN or APRN.
Learners enrolled in the MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration specialization are required to maintain a current, unrestricted RN license throughout their program.
GuidedPath courses and FlexPath courses fulfill the program requirements and prerequisites for each delivery model.
Practicum
Learners enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program with a specialization in Care Coordination; RN-to-MSN Care Coordination; Care Coordination, FlexPath option; RN-to-MSN Care Coordination, FlexPath option; Nursing Education; RN-to-MSN Nursing Education; Nursing Education, FlexPath option; RN-to-MSN Nursing Education, FlexPath option; Nursing Leadership and Administration; RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration; Nursing Leadership and Administration, FlexPath option; or RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration, FlexPath option are required to complete 100 documented hours of hands-on practicum experience. Learners enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program with a specialization in Nursing Informatics; RN-to-MSN Nursing Informatics; Nursing Informatics, FlexPath option; or RN-to-MSN Nursing Informatics, FlexPath option are required to complete 200 documented hours of hands-on practicum experience.
The practicum experience requires learners to synthesize and expand the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program by applying evidence-based methods to practice. Learners are responsible for finding an appropriate preceptor to oversee the practicum experience. With their preceptors, learners engage in in-depth work within a practice environment that reflects course outcomes. The practicum experiences offer learners an environment in which to apply their knowledge and skills. Practicum takes place at a professional site at which learners, with the support of program faculty and their on-site preceptors, participate in advanced practice initiatives. These could include program evaluation, quality improvement, and advanced practice techniques. Learners use the practicum experience to help them achieve the MSN program outcomes and competencies and the learning objectives related to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing.
Additionally, learners are required to document their practice practicum experience in associated online coursework. The associated practicum courses provide systematic opportunities for feedback and reflection. Practicum hours are considered complete once all program required practicum hours have been successfully achieved. Partial completion of practicum hours requirements cannot be verified for licensure or transfer of credits.