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Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse Leadership

Tell Me More About HCU’s Online MSN Programs

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Taken 100% Online

to Complete

Tuition


As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, skilled nurse leaders are needed now more than ever to guide their organizations towards effective change. Take the next step in your career and become a transformational leader in healthcare with your MSN in Nurse Leadership from Houston Christian University.

HCU’s MSN in Nurse Leadership program is designed to equip nurses with the critical competences needed to take on top-level, nonclinical leadership positions in the workplace. Our curriculum generates confident, Christian nurse leaders who are on the path to administration and leadership roles in hospitals, private practice, government agencies, long-term care facilities, community service organizations and private corporations.

At HCU, we put our students first, fostering a close knit learning environment enriched with personalized support. Through a blend of 100% online courses and a practicum experience, you can be on the pathway to success in as little as 24 months all for a price of $17,500 – from anywhere in the United States.


Industry-Aligned Curriculum

Industry-aligned coursework and hands-on clinical experiences ensure you are prepared for real-world scenarios in healthcare.

Personalized Support

We’ll match you with a success coach who will assist you with registration, organization, and academic guidance.

Faith-Based Education

The curriculum at HCU encourages students to be passionate nurses leaders who are dedicated to guiding their organizations and communities towards success.

Affordable

Our tuition is priced at $17,500 to deliver immediate ROI. Make the most of annual tuition reimbursement from employers to complete the program affordably.


HCU is partnered with numerous healthcare organizations, including the Texas Medical Center, connecting students with leading healthcare experts and top facilities to hone their clinical skills

HCU’s MSN in Nurse Leadership program courses are 100% online and asynchronous. At 35 credits, students can complete the program in as little as 24 months. The MSN in Nurse Leadership program is practicum based; providing nursing students with an opportunity to integrate theory and clinical practice under supervision from a mentor.

Industry-Aligned Curriculum Enriched with Christian Values

The MSN in Nurse Leadership curriculum is rooted in HCU’s 10 Pillars, enabling students to approach nurse leadership with a well-rounded perspective.

Theory Integration – 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): Admission to MSN Program

This course explores and analyzes theories and propositions from social, psychological, medical, nursing, and interpersonal relations as a foundation to understanding research, practice, and scholarship in nursing. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

Research Integration – 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): NURS 5300
Corequisite(s): None

Students will learn to integrate appropriate research to assist in resolving clinical issues. Evidence-based practice will be utilized to include patient preferences and values as well as clinical expertise while integrating research data.

Leadership for Quality, Safety, & Health Policy – 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): Admission to MSN Program

The principles and theories germane to leadership will be explored in relation to complex organizations and the development of leadership styles and policy making within microsystems, mesosystems, and macrosystems to transform those healthcare systems. Course content will include continuous quality improvement models, processes, and tools to measure outcomes in a healthcare facility. Emphasis will be placed on the political, demographic, and economic forces that influence the development of health policy and professional nursing practice. Ethical and legal dimensions of nursing practice and interprofessional relationships at advanced level will be explored. A grade of B or above must be received in this course to allow progression in the Nurse Practitioner program.

Advanced Patho-Pharmacology – 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): Entry into MSN program or approval by department
Corequisite(s): None

In this course, students will explore physiological, pathophysiological, and pharmacologic processes to prepare nurses for roles in leadership and education.

Leadership Roles & Operations – 3 credits (90 clinical hours)
Prerequisite(s): Entry into MSN program or approval by department
Corequisite(s): None

This course will provide an introduction to the leadership role and operations in nursing service organizations. Included will be the study of leadership roles, styles, and their implications for the nurse leader.

Healthcare Finance – 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): NURS 5319
Corequisite(s): None

This course covers principles of healthcare economics, third party reimbursement, costing, budgets and budgeting, variance, economic evaluation methods, and writing a business plan to successfully defend and market a healthcare program.

Advanced Health Assessment & Leadership for Population Health – 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): NURS 5300 and NURS 5309 and NURS 5302 and NURS 5308 and NURS 5319 and NURS 5316
Corequisite(s): None
Fee(s): None

This course will focus on health assessment of patient populations, including studies in epidemiology and vulnerable populations. Leadership skills will be developed for quality and safety management, disaster management and pandemic management.

Healthcare Operations Immersion/Clinical – 3 credits (90 clinical hours)
Prerequisite(s): NURS 5300 and NURS 5309 and NURS 5302 and NURS 5308 and NURS 5316 and NURS 5318 and NURS 5319
Corequisite(s): NURS 5021
Fee(s): None

This course will explore competencies essential for organizational nursing leadership. Students will work with healthcare operations specialists to examine administrative, financial, legal and quality improvement activities necessary to run healthcare organizations and to support the core functions of treatment and payment.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 5300 and NURS 5309 and NURS 5302 and NURS 5308 and NURS 5316 and NURS 5318 and NURS 5319
Corequisite(s): NURS 5321
Fee(s): Graduate Nursing Lab Fee

This course will explore competencies essential for organizational nursing leadership. Students will work with healthcare operations specialists to examine administrative, financial, legal and quality improvement activities necessary to run healthcare organizations and to support the core functions of treatment and payment.

Organizational Theory & Culture – 4 credits (120 clinical hours)
Prerequisite(s): NURS 5302
Corequisite(s): NURS 5000

This course will provide an introduction to organizational theory, culture, and principles of practice in the administration of nursing services and patient care.

Advanced Healthcare Informatics – 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): Entry into MSN program or approval by department
Corequisite(s): None

In this course, students will explore core concepts, skills, tools that define the informatics field, including the examination of health information technologies to promote safety, improve quality, and foster consumer-centered care and efficiency.

Residency – 4 credits (200 clinical hours)
Prerequisite(s): NURS 5400, NURS 5000
Corequisite(s): None

This capstone course will provide the opportunity for the learner to integrate and practice the content from previous courses in various non-hospital systems. This course has a precepted clinical of 200 hours.


No, there is no deposit required.

Yes, a range of payment plans are available to accommodate students’ personal finance and employer reimbursement needs.

The tuition for the MSN in Nurse Leadership program is $500 per credit.

Yes, students also have to pay $100 per semester for the Online Student Fee.

You need a valid RN license but it does not have to be Texas specific.

MSN in Nurse Leadership courses are 16 weeks each semester.

The MSN in Nurse Leadership program has two start dates per year (January and August).

The program can be completed in as little as two years.

The MSN in Nurse Leadership program is CCNE accredited.