Degrees and Requirements
Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program builds on the knowledge and competencies of baccalaureate education. Graduate courses focus on the development of scholarly, critical thinkers and leaders who develop the skills necessary to transform knowledge into advanced practice.
The Master of Science in Nursing program (MSN) is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, INC. (ACEN), formerly the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta GA 30326, 404-975-5000.
MSN Nursing Administration
The 36-credit on-line graduate program* in Nursing Administration prepares students for leadership positions in a variety of settings. The Nursing Administration specialization at La Roche University provides a unique opportunity for nurses to develop the specialized leadership skills required to be successful nurse leaders now and in the future. Today's health care environment requires strong leaders who can make a positive difference in organizational outcomes.
In the wake of a changing health care environment, the need for nursing leadership has continued to grow. Nursing roles are being redefined and expanded to include more managerial and administrative responsibilities. Leadership opportunities are extending beyond the traditional nursing setting. This specialty area prepares nurses to work effectively with other members of the health care team in the delivery of quality patient care. Students learn to analyze contemporary nursing leadership issues, to confidently participate in policy formation and decision making, and to gain valuable expertise in pertinent business disciplines. Courses required for the Nursing Administration Specialty are outlined below.
* International students must meet the on-campus component for this program.
Summary of Requirements
YEAR ONE - FALL SEMESTER: 9 credits
NURG5002RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course is designed to provide the student with knowledge about the interaction of theory and research for the acquisition of knowledge and advancing nursing practice. The course will focus on the value of scientific evidence and nursing as a discipline as the basis for providing quality care and improving nursing practice. This course provides the opportunity for the student to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to critically evaluate nursing reasearch and evidence-based practice. Emphasis is on exploring the entire research process.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Nursing Students Only
NURG5004THEORY AND ROLE DEVELOPMENT
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course provides the foundation for advanced nursing practice. Students are introduced to theories from nursing, natural, social, biological, and organizational sciences to frame their future practice. Key concepts are presented regarding leadership, adult learning, communication, professionalism, human diversity, and transition of the nurse to the nursing practice role.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Nursing Students Only
NURG5006HEALTHCARE DELIVERY SYSTEMS
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course focuses on three main areas of the healthcare delivery system: healthcare economics (payers, providers, consumers, value based purchasing), health informatics (management of health data to improve aspects of health outcomes such as cost, quality, safety and satisfaction), and quality care and patient outcomes (as defined by various agencies and regulatory bodies such as NDNQI, AHRQ, CSM and private payers). The synthesis of these three important concepts will provide a foundation for the advanced practice nurse to make clinical decisions and to improve patient care and outcomes.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Nursing Students Only
YEAR ONE - SPRING SEMESTER: 9 credits
HRMT5020ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course is designed to provide the student with the background and skills to augment the student's managerial effectiveness. The course emphasizes theories of micro- meso- and macro-organizational behavior as they relate to the workplace. Human Resource topics include motivation and individual behavior, interpersonal and group behavior, job satisfaction, work stress, leadership, organizational structures and culture.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Students Only
NURG5008ROLE DEVELOPMENT FOR NURSING
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course is designed to introduce the student to contemporary leadership theories with a focus on transformational leadership. Theories that impact nursing administrators such as change, complexity science, and complex adaptive systems, are explored. Key concepts presented in this course include emotional intelligence, evidenced based management practice, strategic planning and visioning, evidence based innovation, and the American Organization of Nurse Executive’s (AONE) competencies. These theories and concepts provide the student an opportunity to reflect on their own leadership strengths and weaknesses and create a professional leadership development plan which will guide their progress throughout this program.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Nursing Students Only
NURG5010FINANCIAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the environment and financing of the health care system. Complex health care systems and their impact on the financial picture of the organization is explored. Students develop the knowledge and skills necessary for effective participation in financial management related to strategic planning including program budget planning and development as it relates to traditional and non-traditional health care systems.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Nursing Students Only
YEAR ONE - SUMMER SEMESTER: 3 credits
NURG5012HEALTH CARE POLICY AND GLOBAL
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course focuses on healthcare policy in the United States. Students critically examine the national health care agenda and nursing’s role in relation to the health of the nation, global health, and global health policy. Federal, state, and local political structure and function are examined along with the hierarchy of political involvement, interest groups and lobbyists, advocacy strategies and ethical issues and the public policy process. An overview of health care finance as it relates to health care systems/services is presented and strategies for influencing the regulatory process will be explored.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Nursing Students Only
YEAR TWO - FALL SEMESTER: 9 credits
NURG5014NURSING ADMINISTRATION: SEMINAR
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
PREREQUISITE: HRMT5020, NURG5004, NURG5008, NURG5012, NURG5010, NURG5002, NURG5006 (ALL WITH GRADE OF B OR BETTER) This course provides an opportunity for students to apply leadership and management concepts in a healthcare delivery environment through collaboration and guidance of a nursing administrator. The course emphasizes opportunities to analyze concepts of organizational culture, leadership/management skill sets, and competencies needed to implement and sustain change on organizations. This course examines the evaluation of organizational outcomes, strategic planning, goal setting in organizations, and allocation of financial resources; as well as use of computer technology in healthcare systems and in nursing administration. This course requires 60 practicum hours and 30 seminar hours.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Nursing Students Only
NURG5016MANAGING QUALITY AND SAFETY IN
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course explores the nursing administrator’s role in managing risk and quality of patient care and outcomes. A variety of quality standards, guidelines, and benchmarks are examined. The nature and analysis of sentinel events incorporating risk management and the process of continuous quality improvement in healthcare are explored utilizing an evidence based approach. An overview of quality improvement models and the tools necessary for participation in healthcare quality initiatives are provided. Strategies to create a culture of quality and safety are emphasized.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Nursing Students Only
NURG5018CREATING A PROFESSIONAL WORK
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course will assist the student in developing leadership knowledge and skills necessary to create a professional work environment. Current theories, standards and regulations regarding healthy work environments will be explored. Key topics include organizational culture, structural empowerment, Magnet tenets, staffing, and effective care delivery models. Human resource management principles such as selection, performance appraisal, and workplace violence and incivility are studied within the framework of creating an environment of professional practice.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Nursing Students Only
YEAR TWO - SPRING SEMESTER: 6 credits
NURG5022NURSING ADMINISTRATION: SEMINAR
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
PREREQUISITE: HRMT5020, NURG5012, NURG5010, NURG5008, NURG5014, NURG5006, NURG5018, NURG5016, NURG5004, NURG5002 (ALL WITH GRADE OF B OR BETTER) This course focuses on the synthesis of knowledge, skills and critical systems thinking developed through the core content courses of the nursing administration program. Within the practicum experience, students enact leadership roles to expand, enhance, and optimize positive outcomes at the micro or macro- system level. The course requires 60 practicum hours and 30 hours of seminar.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Nursing Students Only
NURG6000CAPSTONE SCHOLARLY EXPERIENCE
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
PREREQUISITE: NURG5002 (WITH GRADE OF B OR BETTER) This course provides an opportunity for students to apply theoretical concepts and skills gained from the MSN program to develop a capstone project or paper specific to their advanced nursing practice focus. Students demonstrate competence through writing and presentation of an evidence based or scholarly project. The student is assisted in the preparation of a project specific to nursing practice, administration or education.
PREREQUISITES:
Graduate Students Only & NURG5002