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
The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of Master of Science in Nursing degrees, an RN to BSN, a Post-Master's DNP, and several nursing certificates online. Check out our other online nursing programs.
Tuition
Benefit from the value of our affordable tuition
The MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online program offers the same affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included in the total tuition cost. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total With Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Executive Leadership Concentration | $550 | $793 | $18,943 |
Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.
Some fees are course-based and subject to change based on date student enters such course.
NKU is ranked among the “Best Colleges for Nursing in America” by Niche.com, 2022
Calendar
Our online course schedule is designed for flexibility
The MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online program is flexible and accessible, with 7-week courses that start six times a year. View the calendar to find the most convenient start date for you and take note of associated deadlines.
Now Enrolling:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 05/08/2023 | 04/26/2023 | 05/01/2023 | 05/04/2023 | 05/08/2023 | 06/23/2023 |
| Summer 2 | 06/26/2023 | 06/14/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/22/2023 | 06/26/2023 | 08/11/2023 |
| Fall 1 | 08/21/2023 | 08/09/2023 | 08/14/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 |
| Fall 2 | 10/18/2023 | 10/05/2023 | 10/10/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 10/18/2023 | 12/08/2023 |
| Spring 1 | 01/08/2024 | 01/02/2024 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/202$ |
| Spring 2 | 03/11/2024 | 02/29/2024 | 03/04/2024 | 03/08/2024 | 03/11/2024 | 04/26/2024 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northern Kentucky University?
Admissions
Prepare to apply to the MSN Nurse Executive program
We've streamlined the admission process for the MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online program to make it easier for you to get started right away. Please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state. Requirements for admission include:
View full admission requirements
MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership Online Admission Requirements
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alumni 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 Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
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
In order to earn the MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online, students must complete 11 courses (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:
MSN 600: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice and Research
Duration: 7 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.
MSN 602: Advanced Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice and Research
Duration: 7 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.
DNP 816: Analysis and Application of Health Data for Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP)
Duration: 7 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: MSN 602.
MSN 601: Health Care Policy and Economics in Population Health
Duration: 7 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:
MSN 640: Health Care Strategic Planning and Analysis
Duration: 7 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.
PSY 550: Organizational Psychology
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introductory graduate level study in organizational psychology; commitment, involvement, satisfaction, motivation, leadership, power, quality of worklife, and groups/teams.
FIN 624: Accounting and Finance for Nurse Executives
Duration: 7 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.
DNP 805: Quality Improvement Strategies
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the design, implementation, and outcomes of quality improvement initiatives for patient populations, communities, and health care 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.
MSN 603: Role of the Nurse Executive Leader
Duration: 7 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.
MSN 641: Management of Human Resources in Nursing
Duration: 7 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.
MSN 631L: Nurse Executive Leadership Administration Capstone
Duration: 7 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. Prerequisites: MSN 600, MSN 602, DNP 816, MSN 601, PSY 550, MSN 640, & MSN 603. Co-requisites: FIN 624, DNP 805, MSN 641.
