Nurse Leader - MSN

Master of Science in Nursing

MSN Nurse Leader – MS1240

School of Nursing
Athens Campus (Main Office)
Grover Center E365
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
740-593-4494
800-560-0144 (toll free)
graduatenursing@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Online

Terms of Entry: Fall

Program Overview 

The Ohio University School of Nursing promotes excellence in the profession of nursing through education, scholarship, and service. The School provides quality educational experiences, utilizes clinical partnerships and facilitates regional collaboration that enhances the health of diverse communities.

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program consists of both didactic and practice-based or clinical performance courses. The didactic courses present nursing knowledge, theoretical concepts, models, and research that inform patient care and evidence-based practice. The practice-based courses provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge; practice skills; plan, implement and evaluate interventions and programs; and learn the full scope of the role for which they are preparing.

The Nurse Leader track option prepares students for the advanced role of nursing and health care management.  This specialty is designed to prepare nurses at the graduate level to manage the delivery of nursing and health care services across the spectrum of health care settings. Graduates acquire the breadth of management knowledge and skills needed to perform effectively and assume leadership positions in health care delivery organizations. The curriculum is offered in an online format as either a full-time or part-time program of study.

Clinical practicum experiences occur in nursing/healthcare leadership settings under supervision of qualified preceptors for a total of 500 clock hours. This program is offered in a fully online format with opportunities for web-based synchronous and asynchronous instruction and interactions with faculty and peers. The program can be completed in 5 semesters.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Synthesizes knowledge from nursing and other disciplines as a basis for clinical judgment, clinical reasoning, and innovative evidence-based education and practice.
2. Incorporates evidence-based practice in the delivery of person-centered care to enhance health outcomes and improve health systems.
3. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to select and apply principles of population health and advocacy strategies that optimize health outcomes for individuals, families, communities, and populations.
4. Integrate and evaluate evidence-based practice to inform and promote advanced clinical practice.
5. Analyze and apply quality improvement strategies to create a culture of safe, professional nursing practice that optimizes health and protects all.
6. Apply leadership skills as a member of the interprofessional team to optimize the health of individuals, families, and populations within complex healthcare environments.
7. Apply evidence-based, innovative strategies based on organizational and systems policies to enhance value, access, quality, and cost-effectiveness within complex healthcare delivery systems.
8. Integrate information technology systems to drive decision making, healthcare change and interdisciplinary communication in complex healthcare delivery systems.
9. Integrate the role of the advanced practice nurse utilizing effective professional communication and presence to promote person-centered care.
10. Contribute to an environment that promotes self-care, personal health, well-being and professional development in a culture of accountability and collaboration.

Opportunities for Graduates

Graduates of the Nurse Leader program are prepared to work in management positions at several levels within acute care or community-based health care agencies, including but not limited to the following:

• Nurse-Managed Clinics
• Managed Care Firms
• Community-Based Clinics
• Ambulatory Care Centers
• Hospitals
• Data Management Firms
• Practice Management Organizations
• Corporate Organizations

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/nursing/graduate/masters/msn-nurse-leader

Admission Requirements

• Awarded Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution with minimum grade point average of 3.0.
• Statement of professional goals
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability to complete graduate-level coursework and practice abilities. A minimum of 2 of these must be from individuals prepared at or above the master’s level. One must be from an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Registered Nurse.
• Residents of and evidence of valid, unencumbered RN licensure in an approved state (https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/nursing/graduate/masters/msn-application-process)
• A web-based admission interview with faculty

Pre-Clinical Requirements

• Specified health status/clinical requirements (i.e., immunization status, BLS certification) per the current Graduate Handbook
• Federal and state background checks free from disqualifying offenses
• Evidence of malpractice insurance

International Students

This certificate program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

Complete the courses below which total 31 credit hours and include 500 practicum hours: