One of Walden's Grad Programs for RNs: MSN Leadership and Management
| School Overview | |
|---|---|
| Serves: | USA/Canada |
| Accredited by: | HLC |
| Enrollment: | Frequent |
| Financial Aid: | Yes |
| Scholarships: | Yes |
Web-Based Learning Designed for Professional Nurses
Nurses interested in earning their Masters of Science in Nursing have a one-stop-shop at Walden University. The online MSN program takes on both pre-baccalaureate RNs-diploma and Associates-as well as BSNs. Nurses that earn an advanced practice nursing degree may choose from a wide range of nursing specialties and leadership and management positions are opening up for experienced nurses.
In the last decade or so the field of healthcare has not only experienced a shocking nursing shortage, but other systemic problems face hospital and healthcare leaders. There has been a shortage of administrators and nurse leaders with the know-how and clout to effect real industry change. Traditionally, other healthcare professionals or business administrators made critical nursing decisions, but an increasing number of highly trained nurses are rising to jobs in mid- and upper-level management where they may employ their years of hands-on patient care in combination with decision-making and critical thinking skills designed to impel healthcare change. Advanced degrees for nurses are gaining a toehold among motivated professionals.
Requirements
The MSN in Leadership and Management presents a dual track program:
- RN-MSN students must prove a diploma or Associates in Nursing degree with a valid RN license. Also these students must have a particular set of undergraduate courses as prerequisites to the degree.
- BSN-MSN students must have a completed Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a valid RN license.
Curriculum
BSN-MSN students, and RN-MSN students beyond their initial 25-credits of foundational courses, engage in their program that is sectioned into core courses, specialization courses, and capstone courses. Asynchronous online assignments allow working professionals to self-pace their work according to their schedule. At the same time, the online curriculum interface offers plenty of communication tools with which students may interact with instructors and other classmates.
The general MSN curriculum, common to all WU specialties, includes topics related to: healthcare organizations, nursing practice and theory, healthcare for diverse populations, and nurses in roles as healthcare leaders. Specialization curriculum for the leadership and management major emphasizes concepts such as: finance and accounting for healthcare systems, nurses as healthcare administrators, and managing human resources in healthcare.
Career Opportunity
Graduate nurses in Leadership and Management may pursue jobs in mid- and upper-level management in almost any healthcare setting where nurses are utilized. Nurse administrators may even aim for CEO positions in major medical corporations, work in a variety of roles in private healthcare, health insurance companies, and in hospital administration. In fact hospitals require a large supply of various types of management personnel: nurse managers, unit schedulers and coordinators, and managers in such specialties as utilization review and quality assurance.
Walden University is recognized for its high-quality graduate and post-graduate degree programs. The university has emphasized contemporary advanced education for professional adults since 1970. In the late 90s the university converted to a fully online program.
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