M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator

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Be a Change Leader with an MSN in Nursing Administration

As a registered nurse, you have an insider’s perspective on what works in healthcare – and where improvements can be made. If you aspire to lead quality improvement initiatives, champion strategic change or manage teams, Franklin University’s M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator track can help you realize your goal. You’ll gain the knowledge necessary to provide strategic planning and administrative oversight, while helping to create a clinical environment that supports advanced training and education for nurses.

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The master's degree program in nursing at Franklin University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

100% Online Coursework

Balance earning your degree with other work-life commitments.

Interdisciplinary Study

Compliment your nursing master’s with your choice of elective courses.

Learn from the Best

Benefit from the experience of your instructors – seasoned, in-field practitioners.

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator Degree Overview

Expand your career opportunities with a nursing master’s focused on administration

As healthcare delivery continues to grow more complex, nurses in leadership roles play a critical role in improving patient outcomes, realizing operational efficiencies and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead. Nurse leaders are being sought in all facets of healthcare, from hospitals and clinics, to community and public agencies, to industries like insurance and higher education, in order to lend insight into long-term planning and quality improvement initiatives. Not only will the M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator track enable you to broaden your professional impact, the transition from patient-care to a managerial position may also afford you a more flexible work schedule and a multitude of career options in a variety of settings.

As a graduate-level nursing student, you will strengthen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills in order to lead healthcare in the future. You’ll examine the advanced role of the nurse leader in the administration of healthcare delivery, management of change and interdisciplinary collaboration. You’ll earn your degree in as few as 16 months, by completing 6-week online courses. You’ll conclude your studies with a 12-week practicum that will be completed on-site in a healthcare setting.

Tailor your studies to your career interests with elective courses

As part of Franklin’s commitment to providing a relevant education, you’ll have the opportunity to hone your administrative skills in areas that best meet your needs. Explore functional business areas like accounting and finance, operations management or human resources through the healthcare lens. Other topics of interest include health law and ethics and health information management. If you have a desire to lead in a government or non-profit setting, you may benefit from several elective options at the graduate level in public administration.

Courses outside of the major area do more than provide you with a fresh perspective. Your instructors and classmates are in-field practitioners and experts with professional backgrounds and experiences different than your own. These interactions effectively model real-world scenarios in which nurse administrators routinely collaborate across organizations.

Position yourself for advancement faster with an MSN that fits your life

Franklin’s M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator track is designed to accommodate the schedules of ambitious working RNs, so the coursework structure enables you to apply your real-world experiences in the classroom, thereby reducing your practicum requirement to 80 hours. Not only is this fewer hours than are required in many graduate-level nurse administrator programs, you’ll also be able to complete many of these hours outside of the practicum agency as you develop your project.

Because we honor the learning you’ve already done, you may also be able to satisfy some of the elective requirements with previously completed graduate-level management courses from another university or with professional certifications like CCRN, CEN or OCN.

Earn an accredited nursing degree

The master's degree program in nursing at Franklin University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator Courses & Curriculum

33 Semester Hours

Major Area (21 hours)

NURS 612 - Role of the Master's Prepared Nurse (3)

This course assesses the various roles of the master's prepared nurse. The influence of the health care delivery systems, health care policy, diversity, ethics, quality, safety, theory, evidence based practice, and information systems on the role of the master's prepared nurse will be explored.

NURS 650 - Population Focused Care (3)

Theories, principles, and strategies of population-based health care are used to design, implement, and evaluate services and plans of care to promote, maintain, and restore health in a defined population. Students focus on population aggregates in structured or unstructured settings across service environments. Strategies to evaluate outcomes and costs are emphasized. Prerequisite NURS 612 or 613.

NURS 693 - Evidence Based Practice & Quality Improv (3)

This course is designed to expand on the nursing research process. Emphasis is placed on critically evaluating nursing research studies, understanding the importance of utilizing research for evidence-based practice, and developing ideas for a research proposal to be used in the workplace. A review of quantitative and qualitative statistics appropriate to a graduate level research proposal is included. Students will be given the opportunity to utilize relevant resources in the process of development of individual proposals for the capstone thesis/project experience. With the assistance of the faculty, students will choose topics, write an outline for a manuscript, and then explore the process for submitting this manuscript to an appropriate professional journal. Prerequisite NURS 612 or 613.

NURS 795 - Practicum (4)

The purpose of this capstone course is to provide the student with the opportunity to examine the role of the master's prepared nurse in a health care or education setting. Using a combination approach of seminar and precepted clinical experience, the student focuses on the integration and application of major concepts covered throughout the graduate nursing program and assists in preparation for comprehensive evaluation. The student is assigned to a health care or educational setting under the direction of an experienced master's prepared nurse executive/educator/practitioner for the practicum portion of the course. Eighty (80) precepted clinical hours are required.

HCM 735 - Healthcare Delivery Systems (4)

The course provides an extensive overview of leadership in the U.S. health services system. The focus of the course will be on the role health services leadership plays in the delivery of healthcare services, to include managing with professionals, financial management, services utilization, and other aspects of the U.S. healthcare system. The student will explore the key theoretical and practical elements of leadership as well as current issues clarifying how the U.S. health services system is organized, managed, and financed.

HCM 752 - Health Policy (4)

This course will explore the essential conceptual and analytical understanding of health policymaking and politics, including their impact on health administration and leadership. Selected policy issues will be explored through the application of political concepts and behavioral models, including a system model of policymaking. The emphasis will be on understanding the health leaders approach to the policymaking system, become involved in it, and work through it to attain their objectives and those of their organization.

Electives (12 hours)

Choose three courses from:

HCM 733 - Finance and Managerial Accounting in Healthcare Organizations (4)

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the fundamental concepts and calculations associated with financial accounting and managerial accounting within a healthcare organization. Students will study the foundational aspects of financial accounting with a primary focus on financial statements and the uses of the information in these statements. Students will also study the functional aspects of managerial accounting to include cost behavior, cost allocation, pricing, planning, budgeting, profit analysis, and performance evaluation. Application of these concepts will include analysis of case studies.

HCM 742 - Healthcare Laws and Ethics (4)

In this course the student will develop a strong foundation of health law, enabling them to deal with common legal and practical moral and ethical issues facing the healthcare organization on a daily basis. Topics will include statutory laws, rules and regulations, review of tort laws, criminal law, contract law, civil procedures and trial practice. The student will examine numerous legal, moral, and ethical issues.

HCM 765 - Healthcare Operations Management (4)

Students will explore concepts and theories of operations and supply chain management. The student will develop both knowledge and skills in solving the operational problems of healthcare organizations.

HCM 762 - Global Health (4)

The student will examine demographic measurements, epidemiological methods, outcomes assessment, health promotion, and disease prevention from a global perspective.

PUAD 725 - Management Decision Making Methods (4)

Students learn fundamental concepts and tools for systematically analyzing administrative problems and making decisions that improve organizational performance. Specific techniques for analyzing common administrative problems are learned and the relevance of accounting for public values in such analyses is examined. Students also learn to use project management tools for effectively managing administrative projects. Finally, students develop skills for effectively communicating management analysis methods and conclusions with colleagues, elected officials, the media, and the public.

GRAD 770 - Lean Six Sigma (4)

The purpose of this course is to train individuals in Lean Six Sigma skills and strategies to improve processes and provide safe, effective care environments. The learner will demonstrate the practical application of tools utilized with Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge learned during this course concurrently with a case study designed specifically to use Six Sigma methodologies. Students will develop a Lean Six Sigma project plan that can serve as the foundation for completing a major project for Lean Six Sigma certification following the completion of the course. Interested students would need to apply for Lean Six Sigma certification and complete the major project with Franklin University's Center for Professional Training & Development.

HRM 701 - Human Resource Management (4)

This course provides a framework for an in-depth understanding of day-to-day, practical approaches/aspects of problems/challenges that impact the human resource management field. Topics include recruiting, hiring, training, retaining, rewarding, and promoting employees; compensation and benefits; employment planning, performance management systems, and succession planning; labor relations; and managing organizational relationships.

HIM 702 - Health Information Governance (4)

This course covers the broad spectrum of strategic issues in healthcare including policies, guidelines, standards, processes, and controls required to manage and implement enterprise-level information. Treating information as a strategic asset to healthcare organizations, processes to manage various risks to the quality of information and ensure its appropriate use are covered.

PUAD 701 - Foundations of Government & Nonprofit Administration (4)

Students examine fundamental public service values that differentiate the mission and purpose of government and nonprofit organizations from those of private, for-profit, organizations. The course focuses on applying public administration and organizational theories to analyze administrative problems faced by leaders and managers implementing government and nonprofit programs. Students learn to think systematically about selecting alternative options for delivering programs and improving organizational performance. Finally, students develop fundamental information literacy, computing, writing, and presentation skills required for effective academic and professional communication.

Program Specific Requirements

Please note: Due to the unique requirements of the MSN-ADM practicum experience, students should consult the Nursing MSN Program Handbook for important information on the program’s required practicum component before selecting this major. Applicants must complete and return the Acknowledgement of Receipt of the Handbook form prior to enrolling in the MSN program. For questions regarding the handbook or form, please contact the MSN-ADM Program Chair. The handbook and form may be accessed via the links below:

MSN Program Handbook - Updated 5/20

Acknowledgement of Receipt of the Handbook

Clinical Practicum Documentation Checklist

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator Degree Details

Tuition Costs

2019 - 2020 Tuition	Cost Per Credit
Standard tuition per credit hour	$670
Current service members	$536
Graduate Prerequisite Courses (500 level)	$398

2020 - 2021 Tuition	Cost Per Credit
Standard tuition per credit hour	$670
Current service members	$536
Graduate Prerequisite Courses (500 level)	$398

Program Learning Outcomes

A learning outcome map functions as a roadmap to help guide students' progress through their program of study. It shows where each outcome is Introduced (I), Reinforced (R), and Assessed (A) within the program's curriculum.
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
HCM 735	I, R	I, R			I, R		I, R, A
HCM 752		I, R	I, R		I, R	I, R, A	I, R
NURS 612	I	I	I	I	I	I	I	I	I
NURS 644	I, R								I, R
NURS 646	I, R							I, R	I, R
NURS 648	I, R					I, R	I, R		I, R
NURS 650			I	I, R	I, R	I, R, A	I, R	I, R, A
NURS 693	I		I, R	I, R, A	I, R		I, R
NURS 795	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A

Synthesize theories and knowledge from nursing and related disciplines to develop a theoretical basis to guide practice in an advanced nursing role.
Apply leadership skills and decision making in the provision of high quality nursing care in diverse settings.
Provide leadership across the care continuum in diverse settings to promote high quality, safe, effective patient centered care.
Appraise, use, and participate in the extension of nursing knowledge through scientific inquiry. Integrate current and emerging technologies into professional practice.
Demonstrate responsive leadership, collaboration, and management to influence the advancement of nursing practice and the profession of nursing and to influence health policy.

Degree Requirements

To be awarded a graduate degree, students must:

Successfully complete all required curriculum courses.
Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00.
Complete the residency requirement:
1. M.S. in Nursing Administration students must earn in residence at Franklin University at least 21 of the 33 required credits.
Complete the payment of all requisite tuition and fees;
Not to be under disciplinary dismissal due to academic dishonesty or violation of Student Code of Conduct.

Transfer credit awarded based on experiential learning shall not count toward the residence requirement at Franklin University.

Admission Requirements

The admission process reflects Franklin University’s efforts to clearly identify the performance standards that can help predict student success in graduate level study. The selection criterion for Franklin’s graduate programs, as determined by faculty, emphasizes academic ability, contributory work experience, and personal qualities and characteristics.

Requirements for admission to the MSN prgram include having earned a bachelor's or associate's degree from a regionally accredited institution. The degree final cumulative GPA must be at least a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, otherwise a graduate entrance exam may be required. The candidate’s work history, references, and other personal qualities and characteristics will be considered as well if the GPA requirement is not met. Click here to view the Admissions Checklist: Graduate Nursing Programs.

Recommended Application Deadlines

Fall 2020
July 13, 2020

Spring 2021
November 16, 2020

Program Prerequisites

Applicants must hold a bachelor's or associate's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution.

Evidence of Active Nursing License

Applicants must have a valid, active and clear/unencumbered RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCBSN).

Applicants holding the equivalent of an RN licensure or certification outside the U.S. must submit a Credential Evaluation Services (CES) Academic Report from the Council of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).
All students must maintain licensure throughout the program of study.
License information should be submitted here.

English Language Testing & TOEFL IELTS

Prospective students must demonstrate English Language Proficiency. The requirement is met through any of the following:

The applicant is a citizen of a country where English is the official language.*
The applicant has received a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution located in an English-speaking country in which the courses were taught in English.*
The applicant has earned appropriate scores on language proficiency exams taken within the last two years, as listed in the Academic Catalog.

*For more information about English proficiency, including a list of English-speaking nations, please visit our International Students section.

Program Advisory Board

The University employs a team approach to planning, developing and maintaining its academic curriculum. An essential element of this process – and a key to the institution’s quality assurance practices – is the Program Advisory Board (and the associated Alumni Advisory Board). A diverse array of business and industry leaders make up these discipline-specific boards that provide guidance on theory-to-practice ideas, global business perspectives, and emerging topics in the field. Each academic year, Program Advisory Boards meet with Division Chairs and faculty for lively and engaged conversations, thus bringing members’ substantial professional experience and expertise into the classroom. In addition, some Division Chairs elect to engage Program Advisory Board members in the assessment of academic program outcomes.

Nursing Programs Advisory Board
Name	Organization	Title
Pam Crawford, PhD	MedCentral Health Systems	Vice President of Nursing, Chief Nursing Officer
Doris Edwards, EdD	Capital University	Dean Emerita
Kelly Grace, MSN	North Central State College	Dean Health Services
Jane Mahowald, RN, MA, ANEF	Ohio League of Nursing	Executive Director
Sue Green, JD, MSN, RN
Mary Nibert	Fairfield Medical Center	Nurse, Faculty
Kimberly Kelly, BSN, RN, CPN	Nationwide Children's Hospital	Nursing Student Education Coordinator
Lori Ludwig, MSN, RN, CNE	Upper Valley Career Center	Alumni (Urbana) and Adult Health Science Director, Practical Nursing Program
Susan Powell	Dayton Childrens	Director of Nursing Excellence
Stacy Thomas	Champaign Co. Health District	Director of Nursing
Gwen Stevenson, RN, MS, CNE	Clark State Community College	RN Program Director
Robert Hess, PhD, RN, FAAN	Forum for Shared Governance	CEO
Kathleen Hickey, MHA, BSN, RN-BC	Ohio Health	Learning Manager/Academic Partnerships and Fellows (and Franklin Alumni)
Megan Amaya, PhD, CHES	OSU Health Promotion Wellness/National Consortium for Building Healthy Academic Communities	Director/President
Tara Rohr, DNP, RN	Columbus State Community College	Assistant Professor

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M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator Career Opportunities

Chief Nurse Administrator

Chief nurse administrators lead teams of nurses, as well as oversee operational aspects for departments including budgeting, staffing and ensuring that regulatory requirements are met.

Chief Nursing Officer

Chief nursing officers ensure all daily nursing operations for a health facility or system run smoothly while developing a nursing environment that values excellence in clinical care and research.

Director of Nursing

Directors of nursing work at hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities supervising the nursing staff and overseeing patient care as well as administrative functions such as record keeping and budgeting.

Vice President of Nursing

Vice presidents of nursing lead planning, administration and implementation of standards and policies concerning patient care and nursing philosophy.

Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare administrators oversee the day-to-day administrative operations of hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Nursing Faculty Member/Nurse Educator

Nurse educators work in college classrooms, clinical environments and community centers teaching student nurses using an approved curriculum, as well as their own expertise and current developments in the field of nursing.

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator Employment Outlook

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator

Gain in-demand skills sought by employers with curriculum that teaches you:

Nursing Leadership & Administration

Develop operating policies and procedures and direct nursing operations in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations
Provide professional nursing expertise in the assessment of patient needs and the development of action plans
Collaborate with health professionals and providers in planning, evaluating and implementing programs and services to address the health needs of patients and the communities served
Provide information, instruction and direction to nursing staff to assure the best possible level of care to patients
Oversee the recruitment, orientation and performance evaluations of nursing staff and personnel
Determine fiscal requirements, develop operations budget and make operational decisions that support financial goals and objectives

Nursing Research & Education

Understand the significance of research to evidence-based practice
Use current research to improve nursing practice and to guide the development of standards for nursing care
Provide education, training and in-service opportunities to nursing staff regarding patient care, clinical findings, survey preparedness and areas of concern
Develop, assess and maintain nursing education that supports and promotes quality improvement
Identify and research opportunities to improve care and implement programs aligned with that goal
Review and analyze quality-initiative data and assist in the development and implementation of corrective action plans

Health Policy & Procedures

Review policies, handbooks, strategic plans, operating plans and contracts
Provide accurate consultation and interpretations of governmental regulations applicable to nursing services and activities
Identify and evaluate areas of concern related to quality nursing care in relation to state and federal regulations
Provide education and in-service training on topics to include but not limited to techniques, procedures, regulations, company policies and other information
Lead and coordinate clinical program initiatives and processes, and monitor outcomes

Nursing Care & Practice

Provide compassionate, evidenced-based and efficient care to individuals, families, communities and patient populations
Display knowledge of clinical prevention, disease process, and current clinical diagnostic procedures and treatments
Monitor delivery, coordination of care and outcomes of services provided
Ensure aggressive management of individual health needs when indicated by adverse change in medical or health status
Manage data and health information to influence workplace policies and improve patient outcomes

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator Track Frequently Asked Questions

What is a M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator track?

The M.S. in Nursing (MSN) is a professional degree that prepares registered nurses for greater levels of patient care, responsibility and leadership and Nurse Administrator is a specialized track within the degree. The MSN is also a stepping stone to the Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP).

What can you do with a M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator track?

An M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator enables you to take on advanced leadership and management roles in nursing and healthcare.

Why get a M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator track?

An M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator prepares you for advancement in the profession. The MSN is also a pre-requisite for a doctorate in nursing. Many nurses also seek managerial roles because they provide more flexible schedule options (fewer nights and weekends), greater opportunity for recognition and the ability to broaden the number of people they are able to impact.

What makes Franklin’s M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator track unique?

Franklin’s M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator is unique because it can be completed at a lower cost, online and faster than most other programs. As part of the curriculum, students are able to apply their practical experience to the 6-week online courses. At 80 hours, Franklin’s practicum requirement is lower than other programs, and students are able to complete many of these hours outside of the practicum agency. In addition, students may be able to apply professional certifications like CCRN, CEN or OCN toward elective credits.

How long is an online M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator track?

Franklin's MSN-ADM is designed specifically for in-career professionals -- that means you could finish your MSN degree in as few as 16 months.

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Be a Change Leader with an MSN in Nursing Administration

Take the next step toward your degree!

Finish in 16 Months

Accredited

100% Online Coursework

Interdisciplinary Study

Learn from the Best

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator Degree Overview

Expand your career opportunities with a nursing master’s focused on administration

Tailor your studies to your career interests with elective courses

Position yourself for advancement faster with an MSN that fits your life

Earn an accredited nursing degree

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator Courses & Curriculum

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator Degree Details

Recommended Application Deadlines

Program Prerequisites

Entrance Exam

English Language Testing & TOEFL IELTS

Nursing Programs Advisory Board

Request Free Information!

Request Information

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator Career Opportunities

Chief Nurse Administrator

Chief Nursing Officer

Director of Nursing

Vice President of Nursing

Healthcare Administrator

Nursing Faculty Member/Nurse Educator

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator Employment Outlook

From 2018-2029 jobs in Nursing are expected to increase by 16%

Source information provided by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI).

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator

M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator Track Frequently Asked Questions

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Be a Change Leader with an MSN in Nursing Administration

Take the next step toward your degree!

Finish in 16 Months

Accredited

100% Online Coursework

Interdisciplinary Study

Learn from the Best

Expand your career opportunities with a nursing master’s focused on administration

Tailor your studies to your career interests with elective courses

Position yourself for advancement faster with an MSN that fits your life

Earn an accredited nursing degree

Recommended Application Deadlines

Program Prerequisites

Entrance Exam

English Language Testing & TOEFL IELTS

Nursing Programs Advisory Board

Request Free Information!

Request Information

We're Sorry

Chief Nurse Administrator

Chief Nursing Officer

Director of Nursing

Vice President of Nursing

Healthcare Administrator

Nursing Faculty Member/Nurse Educator

From 2018-2029 jobs in Nursing are expected to increase by 16%

Source information provided by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI).

I AM A:

SHORTCUTS:

Associated Sites