Nursing Leadership - Nursing and Organizational Leadership (NOL) - MS

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A Plan of Study is available on the Master of Science in Nursing website.

Nursing Program Description

Grounded in an environment of scholarship, the mission of the WSU Department of Nursing is to educate knowledgeable caring, ethical, creative, and accountable nurse leaders who provide person- and relationship-centered care for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations in a diverse society. This mission is based on the beliefs that:

a caring, diverse and respectful community provides the best environment for students to learn how to care for themselves and others
optimal learning to care for self and others occurs in a caring, diverse and respectful community
faculty and students are accountable for maintaining and modeling professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct
recognizing and valuing human diversity is essential to person- and relationship-centered care
individuals have different ways of knowing and learning about the world
creativity and innovation contribute to continuous quality improvement and sustainability
an enriched learning environment is the responsibility of faculty, staff and students
effective nurse leaders engage in continuous professional development and lifelong learning

Graduates of the MS programs are prepared for a variety of advanced nursing roles (e.g. nurse educators, nurse leaders, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists). These graduates also have the foundation for continued graduate studies (i.e. DNP or PhD). Graduates of the DNP program are prepared for the highest level of clinical nursing practice.

Nursing science core courses, taken by all graduate students, build on students’ baccalaureate nursing knowledge to integrate scientific underpinnings for practice, understand nursing information management and decision making, and advocate for health promotion. Students develop evidence-based knowledge and skills to enhance the quality and safety of health care while demonstrating leadership and professionalism. Courses within the selected programs of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, or Nursing Leadership provide specialized knowledge and practice opportunities in each advanced nursing role. A unique feature of this program is the targeted emphasis on the nurse’s use of advanced knowledge and skills of health promotion with individuals and families in diverse populations to address health care needs within complex environments.

Nursing and Organizational Leadership (43 S.H.)

Students who elect the Nursing and Organizational Leadership program are prepared for administrative and leadership positions in a health care setting. In addition to the core courses, content focuses on elements of a nursing care system; the responsibilities of the Nursing and Organizational Leader in research, education, and clinical practice; human resource management; fiscal accountability; information and project management; the functions of the Nursing and Organizational Leader in the organization and system; and on issues and trends in nursing organizational management. Clinical practicums in advanced nursing for the Nursing and Organizational Leader emphasize management of clients, nurses, and other health care personnel and resources. The Nursing Leadership Practicums offer students the opportunity to apply nursing leadership and administrative principles under the guidance of a qualified preceptor. Graduates of the program are prepared for eligibility for the following certification exams after meeting additional eligibility criteria related to work experience: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Nurse Executive Board Certification (NE-BC) or the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) Certified Executive in Nursing Practice (CENP).

Nursing Science Core Courses (MS)

NURS 600 - Scientific and Ethical Foundations (4 S.H.)
STAT 601 - Statistical Methods for Health Care Research (3 S.H.)
NURS 604 - Health Policy and Quality Health Care Delivery (3 S.H.)
NURS 606 - Nursing Information Management & Decision Making (3 S.H.)
NURS 608 - Organizational and Systems Leadership (3 S.H.)
NURS 612 - Advanced Health Promotion for Families (3 S.H.)
NURS 613 - Advanced Health Promotion for Families Clinical (1 S.H.)
NURS 614 - Evidence-Based Practice (3 S.H.)
NURS 615 - Scholarly Inquiry Paper/Thesis (1-2 S.H.)

Nursing and Organizational Leadership (NOL)

NURS 651 - Information & Project Management (3 S.H.)
NURS 652 - Financial Resource Management in Nursing Service (1-3 S.H.)
NURS 653 - Human Resource Management (3 S.H.)
NURS 654 - Structure and Design of Nursing Services in Health Care Organizations (3 S.H.)
NURS 655 - Nursing Leadership Practicum I (2-3 S.H.)
NURS 657 - Nursing Leadership Practicum II (2-3 S.H.)

Total credits: 43 S.H.

Clinical hours: (1 clinical credit = 60 hours of contact time)

Nurse Administrator: 420 Clinical Hours