Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Nursing Specialization in Nurse Administrator

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Program
Nursing

Procedure for Admission to Master of Science in Nursing Programs

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

The criteria to determine admission to the Master of Science in Nursing degree program include: 

  • Completion of the application for admission
  • A bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution.
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
  • Submission of official transcripts from every college or university attended within 5 weeks of the class start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance).
  • A valid and unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in all US states or territory in which the student is licensed, including the state in which the student completes all assignments and clinical rotations, for entry and maintenance of admission to the program. (Note that military, federal, and foreign educated nurses must meet their state/territory requirement for nursing licensure).

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here. 

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The Master of Science in Nursing degree program (MSN) is designed to develop and enhance the knowledge and skills of registered nurses. It is also designed for those nurses who want to pursue advanced positions in today's challenging healthcare environment. The program, based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master's Essentials, blends nursing theory with advanced practice concepts that prepare students to work within a healthcare organization or educational setting.

All applicants to the MSN program must hold a valid and unencumbered license as a registered nurse in all US states or territory in which the student is licensed, including the state in which the student completes all assignments for the program. (Note that military, federal, and foreign educated nurses must meet this state requirement for nursing licensure).  An unencumbered license(s) must be maintained throughout the program.  Additionally, all applicants must successfully complete a criminal background check and a drug screening. Clinical affiliation agencies may require additional personal testing.

The program consists of five core courses and courses in an area of specialization in education, administration, informatics, and various nurse practitioner programs. Program includes practica and experiences in areas of specialization.

Courses may be waived if the individual's master's transcript indicates that s/he has successfully completed the required course or its equivalent. Waivers and exceptions will be determined on the written request of individual students through a transcript analysis as determined by the Program Director, Chair, or College Dean.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will:

  1. Synthesize current scientific research, theories, and concepts from nursing and other disciplines for application in advanced nursing roles.
  2. Collaborates directly with other healthcare professionals using various resources and technologies in various aspects of the advanced nursing leadership role.
  3. Model a professional leadership role to formulate comprehensive plans of action for ongoing contributions to healthcare systems improvement.
  4. Formulate a plan for ongoing contributions to improvement of healthcare delivery and development of health policy in a cost-effective manner.
  5. Demonstrate ethical and legal standards of practice in the decision-making process to assist with delivery of quality care associated with a specialty area of advanced nursing practice.

Master of Science in Nursing (Specialization in Nurse Administrator) 

Offered at Online Programs.

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

The 21st century nurse administrator will transform care of patients and communities through ethical nursing leadership that is evidence-based, outcome-oriented and focused on nursing excellence. The Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Nurse Administrator degree program at South University is designed to prepare the next generation of nursing leaders through innovative, blended coursework delivered online. The program is targeted to the working professional nurse who seeks to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to practice within a role of leadership such as a Chief Nursing Officer, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Nursing or Nurse Manager. The student will complete 240 practicum hours during progression through the program.

Program curriculum for the MSN with a Specialization in Nurse Administrator concentration includes key attributes from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Masters Education for Advanced Practice Nursing (1996), The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) Nurse Executive Competencies (2005), and the American Nurses Association (ANA) Scope of Practice for Nurse Administrators (2009).

Specialization Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will: 

  1. Develop strategic plans and systems which guides practices that support patient centered care for culturally diverse populations.
  2. Organize inclusive interprofessional relationships which assist in the development of innovative and effective care for diverse communities and settings.
  3. Construct quality improvement plans which integrate concepts of economics and fiscal stewardship in the leadership and management of a variety of healthcare settings.

Master of Science in Nursing (Specialization in Nurse Administrator): 48 Credits

Core 20 Credits

Course Code
Title
Quarter Credits
This course examines the role of the advanced practice nurse in the clinical, primary care, education, administration, research, healthcare specialty, health policy, and political arenas. The historical role of the nurse, nursing theory and leadership models within a variety of healthcare regulatory models provide the basis for self-reflection, self-mastery, professional integrity, and ethical decision making to help the student transition from clinical expert to the advanced practice role. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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This course explores theories related to nursing, health care and learning. Students will have the opportunity to analyze and critique various theories. Students will demonstrate how theory is applied to research. A minimum grade of a B is necessary to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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This course builds on and applies concepts from the humanities, behavioral sciences, biological sciences and nursing science in an examination of pathophysiologic principles and common pathological conditions. The topics of cellular biology, genes and gene-environment interactions, mechanisms of self-defense, cellular proliferation, and pathophysiologic alterations related to organs and body systems, are addressed. The focus is on pathological conditions encountered in clinical practice across the life span of patients, including but not limited to geriatric, adult, and pediatric considerations. Emphasis is placed on regulatory and compensatory mechanisms as they relate to commonly occurring diseases. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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In this course, the learner cultivates an understanding of health care policy formation and evaluation, while examining the nursing role in public policy, finance and politics. The organization and delivery of healthcare is explored, applying the most current knowledge available in the areas of health promotion and disease prevention. Guidelines, initiatives, mandates and recommendations from a wide range of agencies and organizations provide a solid foundation from which nurses in advanced practice roles can plan, implement and evaluate care designed to promote health and prevent disease.

Quarter Credits : 4

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This course prepares the graduate student to develop and refine essential skills necessary to strengthen critique of selected research studies. The student will identify a topic or problem using consideration of national/ international research imitates and priorities. The student will complete a NIH learning module which emphases ethical guidelines to protect the rights of human subjects. Both quantitative and qualitative research designs will be assessed for essential understanding of research elements. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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Sub-Total Quarter Credits
20

Specialization in Nurse Administrator: 28 Credits

Course Code
Title
Quarter Credits
In this course the student reviews and comprehends the principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics of drugs commonly used in the management of acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan. Emphasis is on the therapeutic decision-making in drug selection and monitoring therapeutic response for culturally diverse patients. Patient education, legal, ethical and economic issues are reviewed. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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This course examines the role of the nurse executive within complex health care environments, focusing on the conceptual frameworks of systems theory, complexity science, appreciative inquiry and organizational learning theory, as well as nursing administration models of organizational management.

Quarter Credits : 4

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This course provides an overview of quality, safety and performance improvement, including an analysis of care processes through evidence-based practice, research and translation of innovation. In addition, this course provides an overview of healthcare financing and financial management for the nurse executive. Topics may include financial accounting, cost accounting, budgeting, capital expenditures, and reimbursement systems.

Quarter Credits : 4

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This course is the first course in a two-course series which synthesizes content from the specialty administrative courses into a culminating “clinical” nursing administrative experience. In both courses the learner enacts the role of the nurse administrator. Content will include didactic and clinical administrative experiences. The course involves obtaining a local mentor and practicing the administrative role under guided mentorship. The majority of didactic course work includes practical experience with budgets, developing and honing leadership style and expertise, initiating collaborative practice and teambuilding, as well as working with change and motivational theories. The learner will incorporate the five pillars of the conceptual framework into administrative experiences. The majority of clinical time will be spent in an administrative organizational setting mutually agreed upon by the instructor, the mentor and the student.

A minimum grade of a B is required to pass the didactic  and practicum component.  Online time will be used to analyze and evaluate this experience. A minimum of 120 practicum hours is required in the chosen administration setting.

Quarter Credits : 4

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This course is the second in the set of two culminating administrative curricular experiences. It expands on previous didactic and clinical coursework, through didactic work in management areas such as quality management, patient care outcomes, and measurement of health care outcomes. Emphasis is placed on long-term and strategic planning, incorporating personnel management tactics such as performance evaluation, and collective bargaining. The student will continue to assimilate knowledge inclusive of the five pillars of caring, communication, critical thinking, professionalism, and holism into the administrative experience.

A minimum grade of a B is required to pass the didactic  and practicum component.  Online time will be used to analyze and evaluate this experience. A minimum of 120 practicum hours is required in the chosen administration setting.

Quarter Credits : 4

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The capstone project is a synthesis and application of advanced nursing knowledge, scholarship, and research to initiate change and to improve practice. The student’s inquiry is focused in the area of their advanced nursing knowledge and on evidenced-based nursing practice issues to develop solutions using available evidence. The student develops a scholarly capstone that will either demonstrate an application of evidence to practice for a substantive change or of a quality improvement initiative to advance the practice of nursing. Emphasis is placed on application of evidence-based research methodology, scholarly writing, and critical thinking. The scholarly capstone is presented in both written and oral forms. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.

Quarter Credits : 4

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Sub-Total Quarter Credits
28
Note(s):

*Students enrolled in Nurse Administrator and Nursing Informatics specializations wishing to further develop their advanced practice skills should take NSG5003 Advanced Pathophysiology, NSG6001 Advanced Nursing Practice I, and NSG6005 Advanced Pharmacology. Students wishing to further develop their management, administration, and technology skills may take LEA5100 Leadership, Organization Theory and Change, LEA5130 Team Building and Group Dynamics, MIS5010 Information Technology Infrastructure, and/or PMC6601 Foundations of Project Management in place of NSG5003, NSG6001, and/ or NSG6005. In all cases students should work closely with their Academic Advisors or Academic Counselors to select appropriate coursework that meets their career needs and course prerequisites.

Total Credits
48