Admission Requirements

1. Completed free online application.
2. Copy of official transcripts of all completed college level coursework from all schools attended with proof of completion of an BSN degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA
3. Current résumé/curriculum vitae
4. Admissions Essay: Describe a clinical problem in your practice setting that you could impact as a nurse executive using evidence-based intervention(s) and explain why it is a problem warranting change to impact patient and/or organizational outcomes.
5. Interviews may be requested (to be held in person, over the phone, or via Zoom)
6. Two professional letters of reference

Admissions Materials may be submitted to:
Chatham University
Berry Hall
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
graduate@chatham.edu

International Applicants

International Applicants must submit additional documentation to the Office of Admissions. A list of these documents can be found on the International Admission web page.

Learning Outcomes

MSN Program Outcomes

1. Integrate scientific findings from nursing and other fields for continual improvement of nursing care.
2. Synthesize organizational and systems leadership principles to promote high quality and safe patient care.
3. Implement methods and tools of QI principles to promote high quality and safe patient care.
4. Critique EB literature with a basic understanding of quantitative and qualitative research to guide decision-making.
5. Analyze current and emerging trends and technologies to support quality health care.
6. Analyze and synthesize innovative approaches to complex issues in health care delivery at the local, state and national level based on understanding of health policy and principles of advocacy.
7. Construct effective communication strategies for working effectively in teams and collaboratively with other health care providers.
8. Design evidence-based and culturally relevant clinical prevention interventions.
9. Conduct a comprehensive and systematic assessment as a basis for decision-making.
10. Obtain expertise in the role of educator, informatics and leadership.

DNP Program Outcomes

1. Apply interprofessional collaboration concepts for improving patient and population health outcomes.
2. Synthesize nursing research and integration of best practice for change in professional practice based on scientific underpinnings for practice.
3. Integrates clinical scholarship and analytical methods for evidence-based practice.
4. Impact health care outcomes through clinical prevention and population health for improving the nation's health.
5. Integrate nursing science as the basis for the highest level of nursing practice.
6. Develop and evaluates new practice approaches based on nursing theory and theories borrowed from other disciplines.
7. Provide clinical nursing change through organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking.
8. Utilize information systems/technology and patient care technology to improve and transform health care.
9. Integrate health policy and ethics to improve health care outcomes through advocacy roles.

Curriculum

+Major Requirements

53 credits

NUR501	Scientific Underpinnings for Practice This course examines principles and processes of evidence based practice as a strategy to guide clinical decision making, initiate practice change and improve nursing practice, including translating, evaluating and disseminating the evidence. Course elements include gaining knowledge of research design, statistical concepts and search strategies.	3
NUR504	Introduction to Organizational Leadership in Nursing Emphasizing leadership decision making, this course includes an overview of theories, research, and applications that focus on managing organizational behavior, quality improvement, and systems leadership across health care delivery systems. Students will learn how patient care systems are structured, processes developed, and outcomes affected by actions of leaders and employees.	3
NUR505	Health Assessment and Promotion Across the Lifespan This course provides an exploration of key concepts in pathophysiology, physical assessment, and pharmacotherapy across the lifespan for the masters prepared nurse. Cultural and genetic influences of health will be analyzed and applied for health promotion, person-centered care, and population health.	3
NUR703	Ethics and Public Policy in Healthcare Delivery This course focuses on ethical issues and public policy in healthcare. Students develop strategies to manage ethical dilemmas and analyze health policy to educate, advocate and provide leadership in shaping healthcare policy.	3
NUR706	Communication and Collaboration for Health Care Leadership This course focuses on strategies to improve professional communication with peers, subordinates, and patients in the health care environment.	3
NUR707	Information Technology and Data-Driven Decision Making This course provides students with an opportunity to examine the value of technology and information systems to support evidence-based practice, guidelines and policy across various health settings. Various methods for gathering, managing, and synthesizing data will be introduced in order to conduct analyses for quality improvement, financial and outcome evaluations.	3
NUR630	Health Care Economics and Financial Management The Health Care Economics and Financial Management 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. Content focuses on concepts of budget and leadership management, influencing policy makers, and linking patient care outcomes to resource management.	3
NUR640	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, and managing human and financial resources.	3
NUR650	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 including legal aspects of health care, human resource management, and health policy. Students will work through specific scenarios in each of these areas to identify legal, ethical, and political issues.	3
NUR700	Structure & App of Contemporary Nursing Knowledge This course introduces the advanced practice nurse to the world of contemporary nursing knowledge, as formalized in conceptual models of nursing and nursing theories applied to clinical practice. There is emphasis on the metaparadigm, philosophies, conceptual models, theories, and empirical indicators linking them to clinical practice.	3
NUR702	Developing Evidence-Based Practice This course prepares students with the skills and competencies needed to assimilate knowledge for scholarly work. Emphasis is focused on the identification of a clinical problem and finding the best evidence for an intervention from established research studies to support a practice change project.	3
NUR704	Quality Improvement in Health Care This course focuses on quality improvement initiatives, including the protection of human subjects. The emphasis is on skills and competencies needed to provide leadership in quality and systems change. This course includes 125 clinical hours and is the foundation for the culminating Capstone project focusing on improved practice and outcomes. Pre-requisites Complete all 2 of the following courses: NUR700 Structure & App of Contemporary Nursing Knowledge NUR702 Developing Evidence-Based Practice	3
NUR705	Advancing Practice: Scholarship and Grant Writing This course provides further investigation of evidence-based practice advancing nursing leadership and clinical outcomes. Students will develop skills for clinical scholarship including manuscript development and grant writing. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: NUR707 Information Technology and Data-Driven Decision Making	3
NUR799	Capstone Experience This course provides an opportunity for the student to implement and evaluate a planned evidence-based practice change project. This project lays the groundwork for future scholarship. This course culminates in a tangible and deliverable academic product derived from the practice immersion experience. A total of 250 clinical hours are included in the course. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: NUR707 Information Technology and Data-Driven Decision Making	6