Master of Science in Nursing
Leadership Track
As nurses progress throughout their careers, many will be called to leadership positions for the health care organizations they serve. The skills needed for those positions are often not typical of the practice of nursing, potentially limiting the impact of those now holding those responsibilities. To do the greatest good for patients and organizations, understanding the various factors that impact the business and practice of health care field is essential.
In the Leadership MSN track at Chatham, students will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to manage operational and administrative aspects of the health care profession. Within the program, the curriculum will cover topics including innovative care delivery models, health care law and policy, financial and budgetary management, and human resources. Graduates of the program will be able to enter leadership positions with a solid base to personally succeed while constantly working to improve the quality of patient care.
Leadership Track Courses (credits)
Course Descriptions
NUR 630: Health Care Economics and Financial Management
This course focuses on examination and understanding of health care financing and reimbursement concepts preparing a world-ready nurse leader to function in a variety of health care delivery settings. Course content focuses on concepts of budget and management, leadership management developing skill sets and competencies for scarce health care resources, influencing policy makers, decision-making and critical thinking, and linking patient care outcomes to resource management. |
NUR 640: Leadership for Change
This course focuses on the needs of health care leaders to take health care delivery into the future through creative, innovative design initiatives focusing on a consumer-driven health care delivery system. Content includes: variables impacting health care delivery systems; reimbursement and funding for design change; managing competition; creating the health care delivery system of the future; and managing human and financial resources in years to come. |
NUR 650: Leadership and Health Care Operations
This course provides an overview of three distinct and necessary areas of leadership knowledge with an emphasis on managerial decision-making: legal aspects of health care, human resource management, and health policy. Learning activities will focus on the identification of legal, ethical, and political issues related to nursing management roles within health care organizations and systems. |
NUR 660: Health Care Leadership Practicum
The practicum/capstone course focuses on the role of the professional nurse in the health care environment. Students will work closely with health care professionals who are directly involved in improving care quality, organizational processes, or safety engaging in a learning experience that further integrates program content. Practicum experience includes a formal preceptor-ship with clinical leaders, which is individualized to align with the student's field of interest. Clinical settings vary according to student interest, goals, and overall career objectives. This course includes 125 clinical hours. |
NUR 670: Health Care Leadership Capstone
This course focuses on the expanded role of the professional nurse in the healthcare environment. The student will facilitate the implementation of a practice change project developed in the practicum course. The student will work in a collaborative relationship with their preceptor and other identified healthcare professionals who are directly or indirectly involved with their project. The course provides the student with the experience needed to transition into a professional role as a MSN. This course includes 125 clinical hours. |
