Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration and Leadership Online
Prepare to improve health care through advocacy and leadership.
Apply by:
6/14/23
Start class:
7/3/23
Program Overview
Why Our Online MS in Nursing – Nursing Administration and Leadership Program Stands Out
$15,480
Total Tuition
As few as 12 months
Program Duration
36
Credit Hours
The Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration and Leadership online program at University of Southern Maine (USM) gives you advanced skills in both nursing practice and business management. You will focus on information technology and quality improvement, nursing theory and leadership, organizational behavior, evidence-based practice, and financial management to gain advanced skills in nursing practice, leadership, and business management. As a graduate, you can have a truly important impact in the health care field and join the next generation of health care leaders.
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate an advanced level of understanding of nursing, other sciences, humanities, and theory, and integrate this knowledge to manage and improve nursing care across diverse settings
- Communicate effectively and use leadership skills to foster professional relationships that shape and implement system change while also promoting teamwork, a positive work environment, and delivery of high-quality, safe, and cost-effective care
- Translate research into practice through critical appraisal of existing evidence to address challenges, improve practice, and disseminate results
- Utilize technology and information systems to enhance communication, decision-making, and the integration, improvement, and coordination of care
- Use advocacy strategies through the policy process to influence health, health care, and outcomes
- Synthesize broad organizational, financial, economic, client-centered, culturally appropriate concepts to address prevention and population health
- Demonstrate an advanced level of understanding of nursing, other sciences, humanities, and theory, and integrate this knowledge to manage and improve nursing care across diverse settings
- Communicate effectively and use leadership skills to foster professional relationships that shape and implement system change while also promoting teamwork, a positive work environment, and delivery of high-quality, safe, and cost-effective care
- Translate research into practice through critical appraisal of existing evidence to address challenges, improve practice, and disseminate results
- Utilize technology and information systems to enhance communication, decision-making, and the integration, improvement, and coordination of care
- Use advocacy strategies through the policy process to influence health, health care, and outcomes
- Synthesize broad organizational, financial, economic, client-centered, culturally appropriate concepts to address prevention and population health
As a graduate of this MS in Nursing online program, you will be prepared to make an impact in leadership roles and organizational settings such as:
- Nurse Manager
- Director of Nursing
- Clinical Manager
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Clinical Nurse Manager
- Nurse Supervisor
- Nurse Manager
- Director of Nursing
- Clinical Manager
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Clinical Nurse Manager
- Nurse Supervisor
$15,480
Total Tuition
As few as 12 months
Program Duration
36
Credit Hours
Accreditation
The nursing programs at the University of Southern Maine are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 665 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.
Need More Information?
Tuition
Explore the Benefits of Our Low-Cost Tuition
Our goal is for you to earn a high-quality degree that will help improve your career and income without taking on considerable financial debt.
Tuition breakdown:
$15,480
Total Tuition
$430
Per Credit Hour
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Program |
|---|---|---|
| MS in Nursing – Nursing Administration and Leadership | $430 | $15,480 |
Tuition breakdown:
$15,480
Total Tuition
$430
Per Credit Hour
Calendar
Review the Dates You Need to Know
The MS in Nursing – Nursing Administration and Leadership online program offers convenient multiple start dates each year to accommodate your professional and personal schedules.
Now enrolling:
6/14/23
Apply Date
7/3/23
Class Starts
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline* | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 5/15/23 | 4/26/23 | 4/26/23 | 5/15/23 | 5/15/23 | 6/30/23 |
| Summer 2 | 7/3/23 | 6/14/23 | 6/14/23 | 7/3/23 | 5/15/23 | 8/18/23 |
| Fall 1 | 8/28/23 | 8/9/23 | 8/9/23 | 8/28/23 | 8/15/23 | 10/13/23 |
| Fall 2 | 10/23/23 | 10/4/23 | 10/4/23 | 10/23/23 | 8/15/23 | 12/15/23 |
| Spring 1 | 1/16/24 | 12/27/23 | 12/27/23 | 1/16/24 | 1/15/24 | 3/1/24 |
| Spring 2 | 3/18/24 | 2/28/24 | 2/28/24 | 3/18/24 | 1/15/24 | 5/3/24 |
| Summer 1 | 5/13/24 | 4/24/24 | 4/24/24 | 5/13/24 | 5/15/24 | 6/28/24 |
| Summer 2 | 7/1/24 | 6/12/24 | 6/12/24 | 7/1/24 | 5/15/24 | 8/16/24 |
* The payment deadline for the second session of each term is the same as the first session deadline or ten days from the date of registration.
Now enrolling:
6/14/23
Apply Date
7/3/23
Class Starts
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Follow These Admission Steps for the Nursing Administration and Leadership Program
- The MS in Nursing – Nursing Administration and Leadership online program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.
Admission Requirements:
- 3.0 Minimum GPA
- Statement of Purpose
- Unencumbered Nursing License
This USM online program is currently offered to students located in AK, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, VT, VA, and WV.
- Online application
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited college or university
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Students with a GPA of 2.75-2.99 may also be considered with:
- Two professional references
- Requisite GRE/MAT scores (GRE: 153 Verbal Reasoning, 147 Quantitative Reasoning, 4.0 Writing; MAT score must rank in the 45th percentile or higher)
- Professional nursing experience may be considered in lieu of the GRE/MAT on a case-by-case basis. Submit a resume or CV that demonstrates your professional nursing experience.
- An undergraduate course in introductory statistics that includes descriptive and inferential statistics completed with a grade of C or higher
- Official transcripts (submitted directly from the granting institution) from all colleges/universities attended
- Current, unencumbered nursing license
- One statement of purpose/essay (in the online application)
Upload your essay in PDF format in the online application or email your essay to [email protected]
Your response must:
- Demonstrate your understanding of the nurse administrator/educator role and reasons for becoming a nurse leader
- Explain your professional goals that will be supported by the Master of Science degree
- Outline the experiences, capacity, and abilities brought to a master’s program
- Document your reasons for choosing USM for this program
Official transcripts (submitted directly from the granting institution) and other supporting documents may be mailed or emailed.
Mailing Address:Application Processing Center
University of Maine System
P.O. Box 412
Bangor, ME 04402-0412
Email Address:
[email protected]
Courses
Check Out the Courses in the Online MS in Nursing – Nursing Administration and Leadership
For the MS in Nursing – Nursing Administration and Leadership online program, you will complete a total of 12 courses equaling 36 credit hours.
NUR 603: Nursing Theory and Knowledge Development
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Contemporary issues in theory development and the social production of knowledge for nursing are explored in this course. The social and historical context of knowledge development in nursing are examined with an emphasis on the relationship between theory, research, interprofessional collaboration, and nursing practice.
NUR 604: Nursing Research
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The appraisal and use of research and other evidence to provide high quality health care, to initiate change, and to improve nursing practice are the foci for this course. Emphasis is on developing relevant clinical questions, searching for evidence, systematic appraisal of evidence, and determining whether and how to apply the findings. Commonly used research designs and ethical principles to ensure human subject protection are examined. Strategies for organizing evidence and implementing evidenced-based practice changes are explored.
NUR 606: Leadership, Health Policy, and Role
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the complexity of the U.S. Health Care System, international systems, and current efforts directed at health care reform. Past, current, and potential roles of graduate prepared nurses, related to access, equity, and the goals of healthy people are examined. Socio-political, economic, and ethical issues embedded in public policy decisions are explored. Attention is given to the role of graduate-prepared nurses in influencing, creating, and implementing policy for diverse populations across the lifespan. FIXED FIRST COURSE.
NUR 624: Community and Population Based Health
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An interprofessional approach to caring for communities and populations across the lifespan. Major components include concepts of health, levels of prevention, epidemiology, culturally responsive care, global health issues, emergency preparedness, and control of health problems. Community assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation applied to complex health issues.
NUR 614: Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and competencies required of an effective interprofessional leader working in complex health care environments. Leadership theories are explored that account for individual traits and behaviors, as well as the situational context within the work environment. Principles of management and leadership are contrasted. Leadership practices are appraised that support a culture of caring and mutual respect, vision and innovation, accountability, integrity, and high-quality, patient-centered care. Reflection and appraisal of personal leadership attributes and behaviors are emphasized.
NUR 627: Organizational Theory and Behavior
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course the human factors that exist within a complex health care workplace are explored. Organizational behavior theories and concepts are studied in order to gain insight into individual and group behavior. Among the topics covered are individual perceptions and attitudes, organizational culture, diversity, communication, motivation, leadership, management, power, stress, conflict, group dynamics, and change. Root causes of behavioral workplace problems such as poor communication, lack of employee motivation, poor performance, high turnover, conflict, resistance to change, and stress are examined.
NUR 629: Health Care Operations: Human Resources, Law, and Ethics
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines operational issues in health care management inclusive of human resource management, and legal and ethical issues facing nurse leaders. A range of current legal and ethical issues will be explored. Emphasis is placed on planning, performance, and compliance in the health care environment. The goals are to provide students with practical knowledge to effectively manage at the micro, meso, or macro level.
NUR 633: Health Care Finance, Budgeting and Planning
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course the student will explore essential tools for financial leadership in the contemporary health care arena. Principles of health care economics, third party reimbursement, budget development, variance, and economic evaluation methods, are explored. The relationship between organizational mission, fiscal responsibility, and strategic financial concepts unique to the complex health care environment are examined. Key elements of inter-professional strategic financial planning and budgeting processes will be emphasized. The student will apply financial leadership skills to developing program initiatives to improve quality and address population health needs.
NUR 659: Information Management and Health Care Technology
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the role of information systems and technology in health care. The emphasis is on how information system/technology can improve the quality and delivery of patient care in a variety of health care settings. Factors that contribute to the adoption of health care information technologies and the challenges regarding their successful utilization are examined.
NUR 692: Quality Improvement
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to introduce the principles and practice of quality improvement as practiced in health care settings. The course integrates theory, evidence-based practice, and systems thinking. The content focuses on describing, measuring, improving, and evaluating the quality and safety of health care services. Students develop competencies in identifying opportunities for quality improvement, selecting and using quality improvement tools and measurement methods, and presenting their work in a professional context. Learning occurs through assigned readings, discussions, exercises, and applied practice through an individual quality improvement project.
NUR 661: Nursing Leadership Practicum I
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is the first in a sequence of two practicum experiences framed by core role competencies of the nurse leader. Students will explore, analyze, and apply specific theories and strategies of management and leadership to the administrative roles of the nurse across health care systems at the micro, meso, or macro level. A system level organizational assessment and evaluation will be initiated as phase one of the project and students will identify a issue/problem to address in practicum II. Supervision of a preceptor for a minimum of 60 hours in the practice setting is required. Self-reflection on the evolving leader role is emphasized. Prerequisites: NUR 603, NUR 604, NUR 624, NUR 614, NUR 627, 629M, PH 670.
NUR 662: Nursing Leadership Practicum II
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is the second in a sequence of two practicum experiences framed by core role competencies of the nurse leader. Students will explore, analyze, and apply specific theories and strategies of management and leadership to the administrative roles of nurses across health care systems at the micro, meso, or macro level. With interprofessional collaboration students will complete the implementation and evaluation phase of their project based on the assessment and problem identification completed in NUR 661. Supervision of a preceptor for a minimum of 60 hours in the practice setting is required. Self-reflection on the evolving leader role is emphasized.
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