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Master of Science in Nursing
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The mission of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
program is to prepare nurse administrators to assume
leadership roles in planning, organizing, and implementing
care within a diverse society and across a spectrum
of health care settings. The program addresses the
needs of the practicing professional nurse seeking
to attain an MSN degree with the flexibility of online
delivery.
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Theory courses combine the basic foundation of traditional
education in a convenient distance-learning format,
enabling practicing nurses to meet their academic,
professional and personal goals. Practicum courses
are performed in a clinical setting allowing students
to apply learned concepts under the direct supervision
of a Preceptor.
The goals of the MSN program are to prepare nurse
leaders and executives who emulate the following characteristics
and behaviors:
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- Professional Behavior/Ethics
Within a legal and ethical framework, apply diverse
skills in organizational analysis, strategic planning,
financial and human resources management, and professional
development in multiple settings.
- Cultural Competence
Foster policies and procedures that help ensure
access to care that accommodates varying cultural
beliefs, and to be sensitive to the cultural diversity
among providers and consumers that reflects the
changing demographics of society.
- Research and Evidence-based practice
Collaborate in research activities to generate,
utilize, and disseminate knowledge in order to improve
healthcare-related systems and organization.
- Leadership/Advocacy
Influence change within the nursing profession and
improve the management of healthcare delivery systems
by addressing psychosocial, environmental, and cultural
factors, as well as legal and economic policies
that affect health care.
Assume roles as leaders and collaborators with other
professionals and communities in planning, providing,
and evaluating health care for a diverse population.
- Technology
Recommend and design programs to meet the challenges
of advanced technology, and the expanded body of
nursing knowledge and research within the field
of nursing administration and leadership.
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Anticipated Student learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the MSN program, students
shall demonstrate the following behaviors, skills, and attributes:
- Demonstrate attitudes, values, ethics, and competencies
consistent with the practice of professional nursing.
- Develop, maintain, and evaluate organizational systems
to facilitate planning for the delivery of care within
diverse healthcare settings.
- Create a professional practice environment that fosters
excellence in nursing and meaningful strategies to maximize
the professional development of the nursing staff.
- Advocate for health care and health care systems that
reflect sensitivity to diversity and a view of clients
as holistic beings.
- Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking,
and motivation toward continued learning.
- Examine one's own practice for evidence of a theoretical
and research base.
- Practice nursing research through appraisal, synthesis,
and generation of evidence.
- Ensure the development, implementation, and evaluation
of policies, programs, and services that are evidence-based
and consistent with professional standards and values.
- Assume responsibility for leadership and management
in health-oriented systems.
- Advocate for health care and health care systems that
reflect sensitivity to diversity and a view of clients
as holistic beings.
- Communicate effectively integrating a caring collaborative
professional approach.
- Competently assess, interpret, and communicate information
using oral, written, and electronic methods.
Program Admission Requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited
program.
- Official transcripts for each college or institution
of higher learning attended with an overall G.P.A. of
3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Current licensure as a registered nurse in the United
States (eligible to practice as a Registered Nurse in
the state in which clinical assignments are completed.)
Additional requirements:
- A current resume.
- Three references attesting to personal and professional
qualifications. References must be from a: 1) recent employer,
2) health care professional who can attest to your potential
as a graduate student and 3) former faculty member or
dean.
- A minimum of one year of post baccalaureate nursing
experience completed within the past 5 years. Students
for whom an exception is made will be advised to take
core courses the first year of study while working to
meet the experience requirement.
- A goals statement indicating your professional goals
and how graduate degree in nursing will help fulfill those
goals.
- TOEFL score of 550 if native language is not English.
Nurses with Foreign Credentials wishing to practice in
the U.S. should contact the school for additional information.
MSN Degree Completion Requirements:
Five core courses and seven administration and leadership
concentration courses (36 units total).
(Courses to be taken in the order listed)
*Practicum courses are performed in a nursing work environment
under the supervision of a preceptor. The preceptor is generally
a Nurse Administrator working with the student in a supervisory
position. Clinical Practicum courses are charged an additional
Practicum Fee of $250 per course.
Time requirements for Practicum courses are as follows:
Nursing Administrative Practicum I (8
weeks)
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80 clinical hours |
| Nursing Administrative Practicum II (10
weeks) |
100 clinical hours |
Sample Program of Study for Part-Time
Student:
(taking 3 to 6 credits each 10 weeks)
Time to completion = 2 years
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Courses
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Duration
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Credits
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N502 Health Care Systems
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10 weeks |
3
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N507 Theoretical Foundations
N512 Diverse Populations and Health Care
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10 weeks |
6
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| N517 Research Design |
10 weeks |
3
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N522 Modern Organizations
and Health Care
N537 Health Care Informatics
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10 weeks |
6
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| N542 Health Care Finance and Economics |
10 weeks |
3
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N547 Health Care Strategic Management
N549 Legal & Ethical Issues in Health Care
Management
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10 weeks |
6
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| N527 Nursing Administration Practicum
I |
8 weeks |
3 (plus 80 clinical hrs)
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| N532 Nursing Administration
Practicum II |
10 weeks |
3 (plus 100 clinical hrs)
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| N599 Nursing Capstone |
Up to 6 months |
3
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Sample Program of Study for Full-Time
Student:
(taking 6 to 9 credits each 10 weeks)
Time to completion = 18 months
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Courses
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Duration
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Credits
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N502 Health Care Systems
N507 Theoretical Foundations
N512 Diverse Populations and Health Care
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10 weeks |
9
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N517 Research Design
N522 Modern Organizations and Health Care
N537 Health Care Informatics
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10 weeks |
9
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N542 Health Care Finance and Economics
N547 Health Care Strategic Management
N549 Legal & Ethical Issues in Health Care
Management
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10 weeks |
9
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| N527 Nursing Administration Practicum
I |
8 weeks |
3 (+ 80 clinical hrs)
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| N532 Nursing Administration
Practicum II |
10 weeks |
3 (+ 100 clinical hrs)
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| N599 Nursing Capstone
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Up to 6 months |
3
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Course Descriptions:
N502 Health Care Systems
The purpose of this course is to bring you up to date
on the significant developments that have occurred in health
care. The last few years have brought tremendous upheaval
in the formerly tradition-bound and physician-dominated
U.S. health care system. The widespread penetration of managed
care, with its service management and cost control strategies,
and the resulting open market competitions among health
care providers have changed the face of the health care
industry.
N507 Theoretical Foundations
This course begins by providing the foundation necessary
to understand what nursing theory is and how it is used
in nursing. The development, analysis, and evaluation of
nursing theory will be emphasized. Grand and middle range
theories will be discussed, with an overview of several
of those currently in use. Shared theories from other disciplines
--- such as the sociological, behavioral, and biomedical
sciences - will also be included. The focus of this course
is on the application of theory to nursing practice, nursing
research, nursing administration and management, and nursing
education.
N512 Diverse Populations & Health Care
This course provides an in-depth discussion of both the
theories and practical applications of providing the best
nursing care in a multi-cultural environment. To be culturally
competent the nursing professionals need to understand their
own world views and those of the patient, while avoiding
stereotyping and misapplication of scientific knowledge.
Cultural competence is obtaining cultural information and
then applying that knowledge. This cultural awareness allows
you to see the entire picture and improves the quality of
care and health outcomes.
This course begins with two Modules devoted to a review
of definitions, concepts, and theories related to the basic
idea of being culturally competent. The remaining six Modules
will focus on the unique characteristics of twelve diverse
cultures.
N517 Research Design
This course focuses learning on evidence-based practice
using the body of scientific knowledge in nursing practice
and nursing management. Learners will develop an understanding
of evaluating healthcare research and integrating the results
into professional practice. The learner will develop a proposal
that addresses a nursing or healthcare issue and provide
a strategy to research the proposal. This course will assist
the learner to assimilate appropriate research into practice.
Prerequisite: N507-Theoretical Foundations
N522 Modern Organizations and Health Care
This course provides an in-depth discussion of both
the theories and practical applications of management as
they apply to nursing. This course is comprised of eight
Modules devoted to four major topics.
The first topic we will address is that of leadership.
In addressing our second topic, we will provide an overview
of organizational and management theories. Unit three is
about the special responsibilities and the manager. We will
conclude our course by discussing managing resources.
Prerequisite: All core courses in the program
N537 Health Care Informatics
This course will provide you with an understanding of
the theoretical underpinnings of health care informatics
as well as a comprehensive overview of health care informatics
practice.
The primary goal of health care informatics is the improvement
of the health care delivery system for all. This means that
health care informatics improves the quality of health care
delivered to clients, improves the quality of the professional
work world of providers, and assists health care institutions
is achieving their missions.
Prerequisite: All core courses in the program.
N542 Healthcare Finance and Economics
This course provides an in-depth discussion of both
the theories behind financial decision-making as well as
"real world" information about how to implement
economic theory in modern health care organizations.
This course begins with a review for most, or an introduction
for some, of the basic analytical tools of economics and
financial management. In the second and third Modules of
this course, we examine the issues of supply and demand
as they apply to health care. The remaining Modules focus
more sharply on health care institutions and the salient
economic themes affecting them.
Prerequisite: All core courses in the program.
N547 Health Care Strategic Management and Planning
This course provides an in-depth, but generic presentation
of strategic management theories and concepts, along with
a more focused discussion of strategies for the health care
marketplace. In this way, you can develop cutting-edge competencies
related to strategic planning and management as well as
insights into strategies for the health care marketplace.
Prerequisite: All core courses in the program.
N549 Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care Management
This course provides an in-depth discussion of the legal
theories and their practical application in modern health
care organizations. The conceptual framework of this course
is based on the principles of law that the American Association
of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA) has recommended for inclusion
in nursing educational programs. Our objectives in developing
this course were to educate and to provide a reference work
to future consultation.
Prerequisite: All core courses in the program.
N527 Nursing Administration Practicum I
This practicum experience focuses on the concepts of
nursing manager and interdisciplinary teams related to the
identification, implementation, and evaluation of healthcare
related initiatives. The course will assist the learner
to recognize a need, implement a relevant process, and evaluate
the success of the project while working with interdisciplinary
healthcare providers. (Minimum 80 Clinical Hours).
Prerequisite: All Core and Administrative theory
courses.
N532 Nursing Administration Practicum II
This practicum focuses on the advanced concepts of nursing
administration and professional business practice related
to the identification, implementation, and evaluation of
healthcare related initiatives. The course will assist the
learner to recognize a need, implement a relevant process,
and evaluate the success of the project. (Minimum 100 Clinical
Hours).
Prerequisite: N527 - Nursing Administration Practicum
I
N599 Nursing Capstone
The purpose of this individualized learning experience is
to enable you to develop an original comprehensive nursing
research project on a topic of professional or personal
interest. This project-based course is intended to enable
you to research, design and develop a substantial original
applied project of your own authorship. This project is
intended to encourage the application of theories, principles,
and processes that you have studied in the Aspen graduate
courses to an actual nursing related problem or issue of
interest and relevance to you in your professional activities.
Due to the extensive evaluation process, and the quantity
of work and research involved, the Capstone course has a
time limit of 6 months.
Prerequisite: All courses in the program. (This course
may be taken simultaneously with N532)
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