Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Executive Leadership Concentration Online

Designed for emerging nurse leaders like you, this innovative online program provides an interdisciplinary foundation to equip you for high-level administrative positions within healthcare operations.

Apply by 1/3/25
Start class 1/13/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

Discover the NKU online MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership program

Sharpen your aptitude for leadership and open the door to new opportunities by earning your Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Executive Leadership Concentration degree online from Northern Kentucky University. This CCNE-accredited online program prepares you to effectively manage a variety of healthcare facilities by combining core nursing competencies with courses in business informatics, psychology, and accounting and finance.

100% online coursework includes fundamentals of theory and research for evidence-based practice and analysis and application of health data for advanced nursing practice. You will also develop your working knowledge of healthcare policy, economics, and population health. The program includes a capstone practicum, giving you an opportunity to synthesize the curriculum and demonstrate your learning in real-world experiences.

In this MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online program at NKU, you will:

  • Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation
  • Use evidence-based practice to demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability while implementing change to improve healthcare outcomes
  • Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, professional values, and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice
  • Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations, including patients and providers
  • Analyze one's own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring
  • Apply effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level
  • Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation
  • Use evidence-based practice to demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability while implementing change to improve healthcare outcomes
  • Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, professional values, and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice
  • Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations, including patients and providers
  • Analyze one's own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring
  • Apply effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level

This CCNE-accredited program synthesizes concepts related to managing a variety of healthcare facilities and prepares you for leadership positions, such as:

  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Nurse Executive
  • Nurse Manager
  • Clinical Director
  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Nurse Executive
  • Nurse Manager
  • Clinical Director

Also available:

Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of Nursing programs online. View our healthcare programs online.

Total Tuition $20,117
Program Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 33

Accreditation

CCNE Accredited

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

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Need More Information?

Call 800-985-7215

Call 800-985-7215

Tuition

Benefit from the value of our affordable tuition

The MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available to eligible students.

Tuition Breakdown:

Total Tuition $20,117
Per Credit Hour $578
Niche Best Colleges 2024

Renowned for Quality Nursing Programs

Ranked among the “Best Colleges for Nursing in America” by Niche.com, 2023

Calendar

Our online course schedule is designed for flexibility

The MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online program is flexible and efficient for busy schedules, with accelerated courses that start multiple times a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, and be sure to submit your application, registration, documents and tuition by the corresponding deadlines.

SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Due
Fall 18/19/248/7/248/12/248/16/248/19/24
Fall 210/16/2410/3/2410/8/2410/11/2410/16/24
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/7/251/10/251/13/25
Spring 23/17/253/5/253/10/253/14/253/17/25
Summer 15/12/254/30/255/5/255/9/255/12/25
Summer 26/30/256/18/256/23/256/27/256/30/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 1/3/25
Class Starts 1/13/25
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Admissions

Prepare to apply to the MSN nurse executive program

The admission process is the first step toward earning your MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership degree online. Before you apply, please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.

Admission Requirements:

  • 3.0 GPA or higher on undergraduate coursework
  • Current and unencumbered RN license
  • 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse

MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership Online Admission Requirements

  • Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
    • If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee; the fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from both a regionally accredited program and an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA-accredited program
    • Students who have earned a BSN degree from a non-US institution will be considered for an exception to the requirement that the BSN come from ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA-accredited program of nursing, where applicable.
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate academic work and any graduate work completed
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  • Undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of C or better
  • Verification of your current, unencumbered RN license with expiration date from the state in which you are licensed and practice
  • 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse; fill out the verification form here
  • A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. Applicants are required to use PreCheck StudentCheck to purchase the background check. Instructions on how to purchase and initiate the background check can be found here.

Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:

NKU Office of Graduate Education
302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099

[email protected]

Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.

Note: The Master of Science in Nursing degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Licenses are granted by the licensing authority in individual states, and those licensing boards might require an additional exam on laws and regulations specific to that state. Some states may also have other requirements. Out-of-state students who require subsequent licensure by the state of residence (e.g., nursing or education) should check with the state licensure office.

If at any time during your program of study you relocate to another state, restrictions may apply and adversely affect your program progression. Change of state residency may affect student program status. Notify your advisor and concentration coordinator immediately if you plan to relocate.

Courses

Advance your knowledge in these online MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership courses

For the MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online, students must complete a total of 33 credit hours, which includes four core courses (12 credit hours), and seven concentration courses (21 credit hours). Each course is seven weeks long. 100 clinical hours are required to complete this program.

Students must take the following courses:
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examination, critique, and evaluation of the theoretical foundations of nursing practice. Appraisal of diverse scholarly resources to inform advanced nursing practice. Identification of a research problem with development of a research question.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores the application and utilization of theories in nursing practice and research. Focuses on the cyclical nature of theory, research, and practice in healthcare settings. Integration of theoretical foundations into advanced nursing practice. PREREQ: MSN 600.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Understanding and analysis of health data for application to evidence-based nursing practice for public health, health promotion, clinical prevention, and population health. Emphasis is placed on the use of health data and the best evidence in the application and evaluation of recommendations to improve health outcomes. Prerequisite: Admission to the DNP program or permission of department; pre or co-req DNP 800 or MSN 602.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores health care issues, policies and economic factors influenced by technological, social, economic, and political factors; availability of and access to health care for varied populations; social distribution of health care, actions for dealing with health care dilemmas, federal and state regulatory programs, and health care financing will be examined.
Students must take the following courses:
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the nurse executive’s role in strategic leadership and project administration. Application of theory and research related to strategic management, strategy formulation and project administration within the context of the nurse executive’s role are reviewed
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introductory graduate level study in organizational psychology; commitment, involvement, satisfaction, motivation, leadership, power, quality of worklife, and groups/teams.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses conceptual and practical applications of accounting and financial management, cost analysis, and budgeting as related to to-day’s health care organizations. The course is designed to prepare chief nurse executives and nurse entrepreneurs with a foundation of tools and methodologies to address financial issues within healthcare systems. Financial tools and methodologies that pertain to the health care industry including cost/benefit analysis, budgeting, and staffing are explored. Not open to graduate students in the Haile/US Bank College of Business.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the design, implementation, and outcomes of quality improvement initiatives for patient populations, communities, and healthcare systems. Students will assess organizational culture, qualitative initiatives, and patient safety data to translate findings into systems changes. Systems leadership principles are utilized to facilitate organization-wide changes in practice delivery. Prerequisite: DNP 800 or MSN 602.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course explores the role of the nurse executive leader from the perspectives of leadership and administrative science. Research and theoretical perspectives related to management, communication, relationship management, business perspectives and professionalism are addressed.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theoretical and practical knowledge needed to manage human resources in the health care setting; development and implementation of personnel policies and practices that assist staff to work effectively toward individual and organizational goals; leadership skills, employee motivation, and evaluation strategies.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Practicum synthesizing content from all previous courses in the nurse executive leadership administration major. This culminating experience will result in a project synthesizing all previous learning.

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