Program Overview

Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN) in Nursing Leadership in Healthcare

The Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN) in Nursing Leadership in Healthcare is a program designed for Registered Nurses who aim to assume leadership and administrative positions in various healthcare settings. This program requires the completion of five "bridge" courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to progress to MSN-level coursework.

Program Requirements

• The RN to MSN program requires the completion of five "bridge" courses (15 credits) with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Bridge Courses include:
  • PHIL 301: Ethics (3 hours)
  • or PHIL 201: Philosophy of Human Nature
  • NURS 320: Stats for Health Professions (3 hours)
  • NURS 406: Nursing Research (3 hours)
  • NURS 463: Community Health (3 hours)
  • NURS 464: Community Health Practicum (3 hours)
• Total Hours for bridge courses: 15

Graduate (MSN) Courses

• Achievement of a grade of B or better is expected in graduate studies.
• Students who successfully complete the "bridge" courses with a minimum grade of "C" and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 progress directly to the Nursing Leadership in Healthcare MSN-level courses.

Required Core Courses for All MSN NP Tracks

• All core courses are offered online and must be completed for each of the specialty NP tracks.
• Courses include:
  • NURS 561: Information Technology and Data Management (3 hours)
  • NURS 562: Theory and Foundation of Healthcare Improvement (3 hours)
  • NURS 563: Evidence-Based Practice for Quality and Safety (3 hours)
  • NURS 564: Contemporary Healthcare Environment (3 hours)
  • NURS 565: Clinical Prevention for Diverse Populations (3 hours)
• Total Hours for core courses: 15

Nursing Leadership in Healthcare (NLH) Track

• This track prepares Registered Nurses to assume leadership and administrative positions in inpatient, ambulatory care, and community-based settings.
• Students gain knowledge and competency in financial and human capital management, as well as strategies for responding to the ethical and legal issues encountered in administrative roles.
• The NLH track includes 30 credits (including core courses) and offers students the opportunity to select courses from the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program.
• Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Specialty Courses include:
  • NURS 561: Information Technology and Data Management (3 hours)
  • NURS 563: Evidence-Based Practice for Quality and Safety (3 hours)
  • NURS 565: Clinical Prevention for Diverse Populations (3 hours)
  • ORGL 515: Leadership and Human Potential (3 hours)
  • ORGL 535: Listen, Discern, Decide (3 hours)
  • NURS 642A: Healthcare Quality Improvement and Safety Management (3 hours)
  • NURS 644A: Business of Healthcare Management (3 hours)
  • NURS 645A: Legal, Regulatory, and Ethics in Healthcare (3 hours)
  • ORGL 530: Servant Leadership (3 hours)
  • or ORGL 600: Foundations of Leadership
• Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Practicum (180 hours):
  • NURS 634A: Nursing Leadership Practicum (2-3 hours)
  • NURS 683A: Nursing Leadership Practicum Extension (if needed) (1-2 hours)
• Total Hours for the NLH track: 30-32