Nurse Executive

Two Ways to Learn

Choose the learning path that fits your life and experience. Here are the two ways to earn your degree:

^*May not be available for all programs

Choose the Path That Is Right for You

BSN to MSN Course Based

Curriculum

Degree Completion Requirements

• 53–63 quarter credits
  • Core courses (23 cr.)
  • Specialization courses (25 cr. with option to add sub-specialties 10 cr.)
  • Capstone course (5 cr.)

This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 855-646-5286.

Courses

Show Course Descriptions

Course Code	Title	Credits
	CORE COURSES
NURS 6002/6003	Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing Show In this course students are introduced to Walden University and online learning. Students explore strategies for the successful participation in an online curriculum. Students also will receive a foundation for academic and professional success as scholar-practitioners and social change agents. Course assignments introduce students to resources that support success, development of graduate-level writing skills and use of APA Style, academic integrity, and the creation of a professional development plan based on each student’s chosen specialization.	3 cr.
NURS 6050	Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health Show In today's rapidly changing healthcare delivery system, decisions made within the political arena impact the future of health delivery systems, healthcare professionals, and the populations they serve. In this course, students examine the policy process and its impact on healthcare delivery, cost, quality, and access. Students examine the importance of getting healthcare issues on federal and state agenda, investigate governmental response through legislation and regulation, and identify where they can advocate for positive outcomes in program/policy design, implementation, and evaluation. Global health issues are examined for their relevance and impact on the development of the nurse advocate. Through discussions, reflection, case studies, and the application of professional communications techniques as political tactics to influence policy outcomes, students demonstrate integration of policy decision-making into professional nurse practice for the benefit of individuals and populations. Prerequisites MSN Nurse Practitioner Specializations NURS 6002N or NURS 6003N MSN Other Specializations NURS 6002 or NURS 6003	(5 cr.)
NURS 6051	Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology Show Nursing informatics is essential to the provision of effective and efficient care. This course examines nursing informatics as a nursing competency and a nursing specialty. Students examine the role of the nurse informaticist in current practices related to the collection, access, and use of health information and knowledge, as well as the implementation of clinical systems. Through this course, students gain an understanding of how informatics is used to improve advanced nursing practice and healthcare outcomes across organizations, public health, and consumer health settings. Prerequisites MSN Nurse Practitioner Specializations NURS 6002N or NURS 6003N MSN Other Specializations NURS 6002 or NURS 6003	(5 cr.)
NURS 6052	Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice Show Nurses base practice on sound and tested evidence to ensure the safety, high quality, and cost-effectiveness of patient care. This course provides students the opportunity to gain a better understanding of evidence-based practice (EBP) and how it interacts and aligns with research and quality improvement. Students will examine how to use databases to discover evidence and how to apply their knowledge of research methodologies to critically appraise literature. They will also examine opportunities to strengthen their synthesis and integration skills to determine whether a change in practice is needed, based on a body of evidence. Through exploration of implementation, evaluation, and dissemination strategies, students will explore the intricacies of leading and mentoring change within an organization to enhance nursing practice. Prerequisites MSN Nurse Practitioner Specializations NURS 6002N or NURS 6003N MSN Other Specializations NURS 6002 or NURS 6003	(5 cr.)
NURS 6053	Interprofessional Organizational and Systems Leadership Show Students in this course will develop leadership skills to transform nursing and adapt organizations in response to the turbulent healthcare environment. They will develop and apply theory-based leadership competencies to create the organizational cultures needed to achieve quality patient outcomes. Students will also explore evidence-based strategies to create healthy work environments that empower nurses and build collaborative interprofessional teams. Prerequisites MSN Nurse Practitioner Specializations NURS 6002N or NURS 6003N MSN Other Specializations NURS 6002 or NURS 6003	(5 cr.)
	SPECIALIZATION COURSES
NURS 6201	Leadership in Nursing and Healthcare Show This course sets the foundational stage for the Nurse Executive specialty track. Students focus on theoretical and practical aspects of leadership in healthcare contexts, and they discuss professional standards of practice for nursing leadership. They explore components of the redesign or reformation of healthcare delivery and performance. Through this course, students synthesize the responsibilities of the nurse leader in the achievement of healthcare outcomes. Prerequisites MSN Nurse Executive Specialization NURS 6002 or NURS 6003 NURS 6050 NURS 6051 NURS 6052 NURS 6053 Post-Master's Certificate in Nurse Executive NURS 6002 or NURS 6003	(5 cr.)
NURS 6211	Finance and Economics in Healthcare Delivery Show Students in this course examine the fundamentals of finance and economics in healthcare delivery. They explore different ways to analyze financial data and interpret the results of those analyses. They explore budgeting and financial management tools in the context of the nurse leader's role in the management of operational and capital resources. They examine the influence of policies and budgetary assumptions on the provision of health services. Students also explore budget and resource decisions contributing to the achievement of organizational outcomes within the context of providing efficient and cost-effective quality care.	(5 cr.)
NURS 6221	Managing Human Resources Show Nursing leadership is grounded firmly in managing our most important resource—human capital. In this course, students address nurse executives' role and responsibilities in human resource management. Students explore recruitment and selection of human resources while ensuring current legal, ethical, professional, and practice systems and procedures align with organizational strategies, outcomes, policies and standards. They consider how to apply technology to support human resource functions. Additionally, students examine strategies to support positive organizational and nursing service goals. They also have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion, staff engagement, and empowerment, as well as creating collaborative and supportive partnerships within organizations.	(5 cr.)
NURS 6231	Healthcare Systems and Quality Outcomes Show The development of leadership strategies and competencies that support the healthcare organizational delivery of quality care is imperative to quality outcomes within healthcare systems. In this course, students use a systems approach to explore structures, processes, and outcomes that impact healthcare quality and ultimately improve patient experience and outcomes. Students learn how interdisciplinary collaboration is important to the development of quality and safety. Engaging in conceptual and application-based assignments, students focus on clinical and service quality planning and improvement initiatives; models, tools, and innovations for process improvement; and the importance and use of metrics in daily operations.	(5 cr.)
NURS 6241	Strategic Planning in Healthcare Organizations Show Nurse leaders in healthcare organizations must be aware of and integrate strategic organizational goals. Students in this course use an interdisciplinary case study approach to address unmet organizational and/or professional needs through strategic planning processes. Students apply organizational, behavioral, political, leadership, and management knowledge and theory to planning, implementing, and evaluating strategically planned change. Through these applications, students learn to use a variety of administrative strategies within the context of supportive and collaborative interdisciplinary relationships to achieve desired health care outcomes that effect positive social change in patient and professional communities.	(5 cr.)
	OPTIONAL SUB-SPECIALIZATIONS
OPTIONAL	SUB-Specialization–RISK MANAGEMENT
NURS 6223	Healthcare Quality Assurance and Risk Management in Healthcare Organizations Show This course will examine health care quality assurance and risk management and the methods that are utilized to achieve improvements in health care organizations. Topics will include: the link between patient safety and legal and regulatory compliance; the role of accreditation organization requirements in patient safety; evidenced-based outcomes and standards of care; the development and archiving of reports, data and device evidence in medical error situations; and managing patient safety compliance through credentialing of health care professionals. Prerequisites NURS 6201 NURS 6211 NURS 6221 NURS 6231 NURS 6241	(5 cr.)
NURS 6224	Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance Show This course will cover compliance regulations resulting from federal and state laws governing health care in various settings. Students will learn the essential elements of an effective compliance program and how to implement them. Topics will include: setting up and maintaining a compliance program, the role of the health care compliance officer, investigating, reporting, enforcement and discipline, and ethics in compliance management. Prerequisites NURS 6201 NURS 6211 NURS 6221 NURS 6231 NURS 6241	(5 cr.)
OPTIONAL	SUB-Specialization–HEALTH POLICY
NURS 6226	Introduction to Healthcare Policy Show In this course, students will consider the evolution of the U.S. healthcare system and health policy. Topics covered include current challenges in the delivery of healthcare and the future of the healthcare system. Perspectives for analyzing health and healthcare will be introduced with a focus on advocacy, activism, workplace influences, and the impact of technologies on healthcare, variations in medical practice, and quality of healthcare delivery. Prerequisites NURS 6050	(5 cr.)
NURS 6227	Current Issues in Health Policy Show This course serves as an introduction to major health policy issues and examines the role of government in the health care system. The course will focus on the role of policy analysis in the formation and implementation of national and local health policy and the policy implications of how government pays for care. The role of the legal system with respect to adverse medical outcomes, economic rights, and individual rights is discussed. Proposals for health policy reform at the national and local level will be examined including potential reforms of Medicare and Medicaid. An overview of health program analysis and evaluation will also be discussed. Prerequisites NURS 6201 NURS 6211 NURS 6221 NURS 6231 NURS 6241	(5 cr.)
	CAPSTONE
NURS 6600	Capstone Synthesis Practicum Show Students in this course apply the MSN curriculum experience by translating knowledge into practice through participation in professional activities and the development of a culminating project. Students apply theory, principles, and concepts related to their area of specialization in order to enhance nursing practice and promote positive social change.	(5 cr.)
VIEW ALL COURSES Less Courses

Tuition and Fees

Curriculum Component	Requirements	Cost	Amount
Tuition	53 quarter credit hours	$450 per quarter hour	$23,850
	(optional: 10 MSN quarter credits hours for sub-specialization)	$450 per quarter hour	$4,500
Technology Fee	Per quarter	$160	$960
			$24,810‡*
		(with optional sub-specialization – tuition and tech fee)	$29,470‡*

^‡*Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships, or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 25 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,500 to $2,000. Students may also incur additional costs related to practicum, including but not limited to costs of travel to their practicum site, practicum onboarding fees, per quarter practicum fees, and liability insurance costs.

BSN to MSN TEMPO

RN to MSN Course Based

RN to MSN TEMPO

Admission Requirements

Program Admission Considerations (RN-MSN): Registered nurses who hold a hospital diploma, associate degree in nursing, or bachelor’s degree (other than BSN)

Program Admission Considerations (BSN-MSN): A bachelor's degree or higher.

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts.

More information for international applicants.

Become a Healthcare Change Agent

The curriculum for Walden’s online MSN Nurse Executive specialization covers a wide variety of essential topics, including policy and advocacy, management strategy, finance, human resources, and quality management. As a graduate of this program, you will have the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective nursing leader. You’ll be capable of guiding strategic initiatives within your healthcare system and advancing your nurse executive career.

Meet Your Academic Team

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of Walden’s online MSN-Nurse Executive program will be prepared to:

What’s the Career Impact of Earning an MSN-Nurse Executive?

As the world’s population continues to age, there will likely be a substantial increase in demand for healthcare services over the next decade—and beyond. Organizations will increasingly require experienced and qualified nursing leaders to meet that demand.

Walden’s online MSN Nurse Executive specialization can prepare you to meet increasing healthcare demands and build a rewarding career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 32% from 2019 to 2029.² As a nurse executive, your leadership can have a substantial impact on the lives of patients in the communities you serve.

The average median pay for a chief executive in healthcare and social assistance industries is $160,950 per year, according to BLS. However, the salary range typically falls between $62,780 and $208,000.³

An MSN–Nurse Executive can prepare you to pursue career options such as:⁴

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Optional Nurse Executive Certification (RN-BC) is offered through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) as well as optional certification as a Nurse Manager and Leader and Executive Nursing Practice through the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE).

Learn more about top industry sectors, most in-demand job skills and top job titles for MSN grads.