South University no longer accepts applications for entrance into the Nurse Administrator Post Graduate Certificate program offered online or on ground.

Program Description

The Post-graduate Certificate Program in Nursing with a Specialization in Nurse Administrator is a program comprised of courses in leadership, administration, financial and resource management and two practicum courses. Under the guidance of the approved preceptor, the practicum courses provide an opportunity for the student to enact the role of health facility administrator in the clinical setting. 

Post-master’s students must successfully complete graduate didactic and clinical requirements of the master’s specialization and are expected to master the same outcome competencies as master’s students pursing the specialization in Nurse Administrator, including the master’s core competencies and the specialization competencies.

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 for individual students through a gap analysis as determined by the Program Director or College Dean.

Program Student Learning Outcomes 

Upon completion of the Post-graduate Certificate Program in Nursing with a 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 Specialization in Nurse Administrator from South University prepares 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 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).

Upon completion of the Master of Science in Nursing program with a specialization in Nurse Administrator, students should be able to:

1. Apply concepts and theories of organizational management and nursing administration to the design of complex healthcare delivery systems.
2. Incorporate the use of technology, contemporary practice, ethics, and professional standards into the ongoing delivery of healthcare.
3. Integrate concepts of health policy, regulation, and financing to the organization of healthcare delivery, with a focus on parsimonious and responsible use of resources.
4. Lead efforts in designing innovative patient safety and quality improvement efforts and effective evaluation of nursing outcome measures.
5. Employ evidence-based practice in the care of patients with chronic and/or acute illnesses across the lifespan, or in structuring nursing interventions designed to promote health.
6. Facilitate the professional development and socialization of diverse nurse populations.
7. Function as change agents and leaders in healthcare settings domestically and abroad.
8. Contribute to the development of the science of nursing by engaging in scholarly activities and by promoting the translation of nursing science into patient care outcomes.