Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Administration)
Hours: 36 Online
About
The Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Administration) program at Fort Hays State University is tailored for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers by stepping into leadership and administrative roles within healthcare settings. This online master’s program equips students with strategic planning, resource management, and leadership skills essential for effective nursing administration.
Leveraging a curriculum grounded in evidence-based practices, students will explore complex healthcare systems, develop crucial management skills, and learn about healthcare policy, all within a flexible online format that caters to working professionals. This program prepares graduates to handle administrative roles and lead changes that improve patient care and healthcare outcomes.
Why pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Administration) at Fort Hays State University?
The MSN (Nursing Administration) program at Fort Hays State University distinguishes itself by combining academic rigor with real-world application. Focusing on both theoretical aspects and practical skills, this program is directly applicable for healthcare settings. The program is distinct in integrating leadership skills with healthcare management, preparing students to lead effectively.
Fort Hays State University offers a unique blend of traditional nursing skills and modern administrative practices, preparing our graduates for the evolving demands of healthcare leadership roles. Our commitment to an updated curriculum that includes the latest healthcare technology and policy ensures our students are ready to lead and innovate in complex healthcare environments.
Who is this program for?
The MSN (Nursing Administration) program is designed for registered nurses who aspire to lead and innovate in healthcare administration. This program offers a flexible online format for working professionals seeking to advance their nursing management and administration careers. It equips students with advanced nursing skills, leadership training, and strategic planning expertise to become influential nurse leaders in various healthcare settings. Ideal students include those interested in health services management, nursing informatics, and quality improvement within healthcare organizations. Here is a list of prospective students who will benefit from the program:
- Nurse managers looking to refine their leadership and strategic management skills
- Nurse administrators aspiring to oversee nursing services and departments
- Healthcare professionals seeking to transition into nursing administration programs
- Recent BSN graduates aiming to gain advanced nursing practice skills
- Healthcare leaders striving for innovative solutions in population health
Learning Outcomes
The Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Administration) program at Fort Hays State University is designed to prepare students for advanced leadership roles in healthcare. Graduates will deeply understand strategic planning, healthcare policy, and management. They will also be able to apply evidence-based practices to enhance patient care and improve healthcare outcomes. The program focuses on developing comprehensive skills encompassing strategic leadership, policy management, quality improvement, and team development. Here are the four essential learning outcomes:
Demonstrate Self-Responsibility for Continuous Professional Learning
Integrate Theoretical Models for Improving Healthcare Outcomes for Clients, Families, and Populations
Employ Systematic Inquiry and Quality Improvement Strategies to Enhance Evidence-Based Nursing Practice and Health Care Outcomes
Exhibit Leadership Excellence in Systems to Collaborate and Communicate Practice Problems Through Interdisciplinary Teams
Demonstrate Clinical Competence in Master’s Prepared Nursing Roles
Evaluate Health Care Systems, Policy, and Finance to Improve Client Care Within the Health Care System
Implement Safety and Quality Initiatives in Health Care to Improve Health Outcomes and Promote Culturally Responsive, Timely, and Equitable Patient-Centered Care
Utilize Informatics to Plan, Examine, and Enhance Safety and Quality Processes in Health Care Organizations
Real-World Applications
Our program prepares students for real-world challenges in healthcare administration. Through case studies, simulated scenarios, and real-life problem-solving exercises, students understand how to manage teams, optimize hospital operations, and implement effective patient care strategies. These hands-on experiences are critical in developing the skills necessary to succeed in high-level administrative roles.
The coursework integrates strategic planning, healthcare economics, and leadership theories with practical applications. This approach ensures that graduates are knowledgeable about the theories and can apply them in practical settings to improve healthcare outcomes and efficiency.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Staying current with industry trends is crucial in healthcare administration. The MSN (Nursing Administration) program at FHSU integrates the latest advancements in healthcare technology, policies, and management practices into the curriculum. This includes adopting digital health records, telehealth services, and advanced data analytics in healthcare management.
Our faculty members are active professionals and researchers who bring contemporary issues and innovations directly into the classroom. This ongoing integration of new knowledge keeps our program and graduates at the forefront of the field, well-equipped to adapt to and lead through changes in the healthcare landscape.
Hands-on Activities
The online Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Administration) program offers hands-on activities that ensure students gain practical experience. These include virtual simulations of interactive case studies and project-based assignments that involve developing strategies for real-world healthcare issues. Students also participate in discussions and workshops with healthcare leaders to gain insights into the industry’s challenges and best practices.
Apprenticeships with healthcare organizations offer additional practical experience, allowing students to apply learned concepts in actual healthcare settings. This blend of coursework and real-world experience is designed to build the skills necessary for effective leadership and management in nursing and healthcare administration.
What You’ll Learn:
- Enhance patient care management skills
- Advance your knowledge of healthcare systems
- Improve quality and safety in healthcare
- Foster team leadership and staff development
- Navigate healthcare laws and regulations
How You’ll Learn:
- Strategic planning in healthcare settings
- Leadership training for senior nursing roles
- Resource management in nursing practice
- Developing and implementing healthcare policies
- Crisis management and conflict resolution
The Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Administration) program at FHSU provides a comprehensive curriculum combining core nursing courses with specialized topics. Core courses lay a strong foundation in critical thinking, healthcare systems, and decision-making. Specialization courses focus on the practical aspects of administration. This curriculum ensures that graduates are well-prepared for advanced administrative roles in healthcare settings. Below are a few of the courses in the Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Administration) program:
NURS 861: Complexity in Health Care Organizations
The course provides a foundation for the graduate student choosing nursing administration as an advanced practice role by introducing organizational and leadership theories and nurse leadership development in healthcare settings.
NURS 862: Administrative Management in Health Care Organizations
This course equips professional nurse leaders with essential healthcare finance knowledge to drive change and improve outcomes in healthcare organizations, focusing on quality improvement, value-based purchasing, and financial strategies in nursing.
NURS 876: Apprenticeship: Nursing Administration
The apprenticeship offers graduate students practical experience in nursing administration, focusing on organizational, personnel, and budget management. Students will complete 90 hours with an MSN-prepared RN in an approved healthcare facility. Site contracts and clinical clearance are required. For details, contact nurs.contracts@fhsu.edu.
Discover the full Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Administration) course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.
The Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Administration) program prepares graduates for various advanced leadership roles within healthcare organizations. With specialized knowledge in nursing management, strategic planning, and quality improvement, graduates can drive positive changes in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. The program's comprehensive curriculum develops advanced nursing skills and leadership competencies necessary to excel as health services managers, nurse leaders, and administrators. Here are five promising career paths available to graduates:
Nurse Administrator
Nurse administrators oversee nursing staff, manage healthcare delivery, and work to improve patient outcomes. They are responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, and implementing policies that enhance nursing services. With advanced training in healthcare management, graduates can excel in these high-level administrative roles in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations.
Nurse Manager
Nurse managers lead specific departments or units within healthcare settings, ensuring efficient staff management, quality patient care, and compliance with healthcare regulations. They are instrumental in developing staffing plans, mentoring team members, and fostering a collaborative environment that supports patient safety and satisfaction.
Nurse Executive
Nurse executives hold top leadership positions in healthcare organizations, shaping healthcare policies, strategic planning, and managing resources at an executive level. They drive the vision and direction of nursing services while working closely with other executives to align healthcare delivery with organizational goals.
Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare consultants advise organizations on management, operations, and quality improvement strategies. With expertise in nursing administration, graduates can help clients optimize healthcare delivery, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes through strategic planning and evidence-based practices.
Clinical Director
Clinical directors manage clinical programs, ensuring adherence to healthcare standards and improving service delivery. They lead clinical teams, oversee program development, and implement quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient care. This role requires strong leadership and strategic planning skills, which the MSN in Nursing Administration program thoroughly develops.
The MSN (Nursing Administration) program at Fort Hays State University seeks dedicated professionals ready to advance their careers in healthcare leadership. We value ambition, dedication, and a genuine interest in making a difference in healthcare management. To ensure students are well-prepared for the rigorous curriculum, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Complete a Fort Hays State University Graduate Student Application
- Submit all official transcripts
- Completed a BSN from an accredited program, either CCNE or ACEN
- Cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 is required based on a BSN degree
- Have a current RN license
- Submit 2 letters of reference in the areas of academic ability, current professional competency, or personal character
- Personal Statement: This brief statement (no more than 500 words) addresses your motivation for pursuing your MSN. The statement will be evaluated for proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Complete an MSN Clinical Acknowledgement Form
- International Students: This program does not meet the requirements for International students who require on-campus courses.
The Department of Nursing does not accept MSN applications from the following states: Alabama, Tennessee, and Utah
All nursing courses/transcripts from outside the United States require additional evaluation by the Commission of Graduates Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). A course-by-course evaluation is required to confirm a degree, course credit, and grades, including grade point average.
Clinical Clearance Requirements
The MSN programs at FHSU require preceptor-led clinicals. The clinical practicum for the MSN (Nursing Administration) program is associated with NURS 876 and offered in the Spring semester. It consists of 90 practicum hours. Please note that clinical clearance requirements include obtaining student liability insurance, a background check, drug testing, and immunization records.
Fort Hays State University works diligently with students to secure clinical contracts across the United States. On rare occasions, we are unable to negotiate a contract due to location, state, or facility requirements. In this event, if another site cannot be obtained at the student's location, the student will be provided with a clinical site in Hays, Kansas. If this occurs, students will need a Kansas license and will need to come to Kansas for their practicum experience. We encourage you to start the collaborative process of obtaining a preceptor early in your program. If you have questions about this process, please contact the Department of Nursing at Nurs.Contracts@fhsu.edu .
Fort Hays State University has received approval from the Kansas State Board of Nursing, the Kansas Board of Regents, and the Higher Learning Commission to offer the MSN program.
The Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Administration) program at Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.
The Best Value in Higher Education Anywhere
Fort Hays State University prides itself on quality education at an affordable price. Students in this program can expect to pay approximately $3,047.58* (Online)* per semester.
*Estimated cost based on 9 credit hours at the FHSU Online undergraduate tuition rate ($338.62/credit hour) for online courses. Actual price may vary depending on course load and location. Tuition and Fees are subject to change as they are approved by the Kansas Board of Regents each year.
Ready for the next step?
Our faculty would be excited to talk to you about how our department programs can help you explore your interests and prepare you for a variety of rewarding careers.
Related Programs
Fort Hays State University offers a range of related nursing programs for students interested in advancing their careers in healthcare management, nursing education, and clinical practice. Each program is tailored to provide specialized skills and knowledge, from the fundamentals of nursing research to curriculum development in nursing education. Here is a list of complementary programs:
The online MSN (Nursing Administration) program offers a flexible online format for working professionals. It provides real-world applications and leadership training and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The online format of our program is not just convenient but also practical. It facilitates learning through virtual simulations of healthcare scenarios, interactive discussions, and case studies. Students have access to a wealth of online resources and expert faculty guidance.
Yes, the program offers specializations in healthcare financial management, quality improvement, and strategic management in healthcare settings, all designed to equip you with the practical skills needed for the real-world challenges of nursing administration.
Completing the online MSN (Nursing Administration) opens career opportunities in various leadership roles, including nurse administrator, nurse executive, healthcare consultant, clinical director, and more.
To be admitted into the MSN (Nursing Administration) program, you need a BSN degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, an unencumbered RN license, relevant work experience, and a personal statement.
Department Information
FHSU’s Department of Nursing provides programs and courses incorporating the latest technology in a feedback-driven, student-focused environment, where you will interact with highly qualified faculty eager to share their rich clinical and nursing experiences. This supportive environment ensures you are well-prepared for an in-demand degree that leads to a rewarding career.
While earning your degree is your primary goal, college offers much more than just attending classes. Get involved in extracurricular activities that help you develop leadership skills, learn more about your chosen career, and make a difference in your community.
- Fort Hays Association of Nursing Students (FHANS): The FHANS is a professional organization that gives pre-nursing and nursing students the chance to get to know their classmates, put leadership theory into practice, learn more about nursing careers, and attend national conferences. Members also do service projects like making Christmas gifts for nursing home residents.
- Nursing Christian Fellowship (NCF): The NCF is a professional organization and a ministry of and for nurses and nursing students. Fort Hays NCF’s goal is to provide Christian-based support for nursing and pre-nursing students. The group meets every other week to learn, share, support, and pray with one another. Members have recently participated in a local service activity by collecting items to donate to Fresenius Dialysis Center.
- Sigma Theta Tau: Sigma Theta Tau is the international honor society of nursing. Students are invited to join the organization based on high academic achievement in their nursing program. Sigma Theta Tau supports knowledge generation in professional nursing practice and also engages in numerous service projects. Nu Zeta, the local chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, regularly participates in fundraising for research in Alzheimer’s and other diseases. They also provide support for continuing education workshops and social events.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at FHSU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
- Certificate
- Masters
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