Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Description
The program is designed for registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree in nursing who wish to advance their careers in various aspects of nursing leadership and administration. This program consists of three components – foundational courses, practicum experiences in nursing leadership, and practice improvement. We prepare nurses to develop and expand develop competencies in nursing administration and leadership. Guided by the competencies developed by the American Organization for Nurse Executives (AONE), students develop skills in the following areas:
1. Communication and relationship building
2. Knowledge of the healthcare environment
3. Leadership
4. Professionalism
5. Business skills
Graduates of this program are prepared to engage in both formal and informal leadership and administrative roles within organizations.
Program enrollment is limited to nurses from hospitals with whom Simmons University has existing contracts.
Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate leadership in organizations and health care systems to promote safe and efficient care delivery to both individuals and populations.
2. Influence health care design using evidence based strategies to effectively meet patient health needs.
3. Analyze economic, policy, environmental and social forces to impact health care delivery, quality of care, and safety.
4. Demonstrate cultural competence and advocacy in the delivery of care within organizations.
5. Assume and/or expand a leadership role within an organization.
6. Conduct a practice improvement project.
Requirements for entry into program
Applicants must have a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing from a regionally accredited US college or university.
Delivery Mode
All students are required to attend full-time. Most courses are taught in a hybrid fashion, meeting both on-line and in-person.
Degree Requirements
Credits: 41
Prerequisite course required for admission:
Statistics: One semester of a three credit statistic course, can be taken in a math, psychology or science department. Course content must include principles of probability, binomial and normal distributions, sample statistics, estimation and testing of hypotheses and linear regression and correlation. Statistics must have been taken with seven years prior to admission.
Progression
All students are required to follow a prescribed course of study. Students are required to take two courses per semester throughout the calendar year.
Course Sequence
Practicum
Student complete two semesters of a practicum experience. Students are paired with nurse executives both within their organizations, and with a nurse executive from the community. These practicum experiences are a part of the courses NUR 514 and NUR 516.
Students complete a practice change project during the final two semesters of the program.
Certification
There are no requirements for licensure. Students with an MSN in Nursing Administration are not eligible for further accreditation.
Graduates from this program may opt to pursue one or more of several professional certifications offered by two organizations: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE).