Nursing Specialization in Nurse Administrator

In this course, students examine the multifaceted role of the advanced practice nurse within contemporary  in  healthcare systems and political arenas. Students examine the responsibilities, scope of practice, and historical evolving role of the advanced practice nurseand leadership models within a variety of healthcare regulatory settings provide the basis for self-reflection, self-mastery, professional integrity, and ethical decision making to help the student transition from entry-level practice to the advanced practice role A grade of B or higher is required to progress in the MSN program(s).

In this course, students cultivate 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 health promotion and disease prevention. Guidelines, initiatives, mandates, and recommendations from a variety of agencies and organizations provide a solid foundation from which nurses in advanced practice roles can plan, implement, and evaluate care related to health promotion and disease prevention. A grade of B or higher is required to progress in the MSN program(s).

In this course, students develop and refine essential skills necessary to strengthen critique of selected peer-reviewed research studies. The student identifies a topic or problem, related to their field of study, using consideration of national/international research initiatives and priorities. Students review quantitative and qualitative research designs for essential understanding of research elements as a foundation for evidenced-based practice . A grade of B or higher is required to progress in the MSN program(s).

This course equips students with the foundational skills necessary for success in graduate business studies and management careers. Through a focus on analytical, communication, and planning abilities, students will develop a personal strategy for completing their graduate program. Key topics include statistical techniques for problem-solving, financial analysis using time value of money, and risk evaluation. Students will also learn to assess financial statements based on GAAP standards, addressing critical management and stakeholder concerns related to organizational performance.

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.

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.

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.

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 components. Online
time will be used to analyze and evaluate this experience. A minimum of 120 practicum hours is
required in the chosen administration setting.

The capstone project is a synthesis and application of advanced nursing knowledge, scholarship, and research in the area of specialization. The student’s inquiry is focused in the area of the specialty concentration and will focus on a substantive nursing practice issues developing solutions based on the available evidence. The student will develop a scholarly project that will either demonstrate an application of evidence to practice for a substantive change or quality improvement, which can include generation of new nursing knowledge. Emphasis is placed on application of evidence-based research methodology, scholarly writing, and critical thinking. These scholarly projects are presented in both written and oral form. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.