Queens University Online MSN - Nurse Administrator, CNL, and More

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• Master of Science in Nursing: Clinical Nurse Leader
• Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse Administrator
• Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse Educator
• Master of Science in Nursing: Nursing Informatics
• Post-Master's Certificate: Clinical Nurse Leader
• Post-Master's Certificate: Nurse Administrator
• Post-Master's Certificate: Nurse Educator
• Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Informatics

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Queens University of Charlotte offers an online MSN with four tracks through the Presbyterian School of Nursing: nurse administrator, clinical nurse leader, nurse educator, and nursing informatics. A post-master’s certificate is also offered in each track. The programs include 100 percent online coursework with a specified number of practicum hours required locally, making them flexible for today’s working professionals.

Students may enter the online MSN with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with RN licensure, or an ADN (associate degree in nursing). Those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree must take two additional courses, while the RN-MSN pathway includes additional requirements. Applicants to the certificate programs must have an MSN degree. The application process is simple with no GRE or GMAT required.

Nurse administrators serve as a bridge between nursing staff and administrative staff, working less with patient care and more with the professionals that provide it. They are heavily involved in decision-making to ensure healthcare professionals have the support they need and focus on the quality of care, access to healthcare services, and healthcare cost-effectiveness. Job titles for nurse administrator graduates might include clinical nurse manager, specialty clinic director, nurse executive, director of nursing, or director of clinical operations.

Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) seek to improve patient outcomes, communicate effectively, ethically lead interprofessional teams, and identify advanced therapeutics. CNLs are at the center of patient care, coordinating advanced therapies and ensuring a seamless relationship between teams of practitioners and patients. Graduates may go on to positions such as clinical nurse leader, nurse navigator, clinical case manager, quality care coordinator, or clinical program coordinator.

Nurse educators prepare to pass on nursing knowledge and practice to new nurses in clinical or academic settings. This program includes an MSN foundation and the ability to create curricula and assess and evaluate students. Graduates may go on to positions such as nurse educator, nursing instructor, orientation specialist, clinical education specialist, or program coordinator.

Nursing informatics students study data analysis and implementation, healthcare information systems, financial management, and leadership principles. Graduates may go on to careers as nursing informatics analysts, nursing information specialists, clinical informatics specialists, clinical informatics nursing, and information practice specialist.

Graduates of the MSN tracks may have the opportunity to apply for certification exams relevant to their specialty through specific certification organizations. Certification shows employers that the applicant has the clinical knowledge and skills necessary for such management positions.

The programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Queens University of Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the MSN program must hold one of the following: a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), a non-nursing bachelor’s with an RN license, or an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Applicant’s to the post-master’s certificate programs must hold an MSN degree from an accredited institution. All must have a current, unencumbered RN license in the state where clinical hours will be completed. No work experience or GMAT is required.

Admissions materials include an online application, application fee, official transcripts, and proof of RN licensure. The application includes areas for providing resume details, names of recommenders, and demographics.

Note that these programs may not be available to residents of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District Of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Study Plan: The Queens University online MSN program can be completed in two years on a full-time basis or four years on a part-time basis. The post-master’s certificates can be completed in just two to three semesters on a full-time basis and are also offered part-time. Semesters are divided into two eight-week sessions for the online programs. Start dates land in January, May, or August. Clinical hours are completed local to the student. Students can expect to spend 12 to 20 hours per course per week.

MSN Curriculum: The online MSN comprises 37 credits, including 19 credits of core nursing courses and 18 credits of specialty courses. Those in the RN-MSN pathway take six additional credits for a total of 43 credits. ADN applicants take additional courses as required. The clinical nurse leader track requires the completion of 400 clinical hours. The other tracks require the completion of 225 clinical hours.

Core courses for all tracks include theoretical foundations, health policy, informatics in health care, data interpretations, research methods, and integrative clinical concepts. A graduate nursing capstone is also included.

Nurse Administrator Specialty Courses: Students complete leadership principles and practices; financial management for nurse leaders; principles of curriculum and evaluation; educational principles and practices; and nurse administrator residency.

Clinical Nurse Leader Specialty Courses: Students complete leadership principles and practices; management of clinical outcomes; management of the care environment; and clinical nurse leader residency.

Nurse Educator Specialty Courses: Students complete leadership principles and practices; financial management for nurse leaders; principles of curriculum and evaluation; educational principles and practices; and nurse educator residency.

Nursing Informatics Specialty Courses: Students complete leadership principles and practices; financial management for nurse leaders; clinical information systems; healthcare data implementation, management, and evaluation; and nursing informatics residency.

Students who do not have a BSN must also take nursing: a practice discipline and population health nursing.

Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: The online nurse administrator and nurse educator post-master’s certificates comprise 11 credits each and can be completed in two semesters full-time. They require the completion of 225 clinical hours. The clinical nurse leader and nursing informatics post-master’s certificates comprise 17 credits and can be completed in three semesters full-time. The clinical nurse leader includes 400 clinical hours, and the nursing informatics certificate includes 225 clinical hours.

Nurse Administrator: Courses include leadership principles and practices; financial management for nurse leaders; and a nurse administrator residency.

Clinical Nurse Leader: Courses include leadership principles and practices; management of clinical outcomes; management of the care environment; and clinical nurse leader residency.

Nurse Educator: Courses include principles of curriculum and evaluation; educational principles and practices; and nurse educator residency.

Nursing Informatics: Courses include leadership principles and practices; financial management for nurse leaders; clinical information systems; healthcare data implementation, management, and evaluation; and nursing informatics residency.

Online Experience: Queens University delivers courses through the MyCourses online learning management system. MyCourses offers online access to class materials, instant messaging (IM), Skype web conferencing, shared blogging, social media tools, and community tools. Class sizes are kept small to allow for better bonding between faculty and students. In addition, each student is assigned a personal student services coordinator.

Online nursing students will need a current computer with a high-speed internet connection, an updated browser, Microsoft Office Suite, a webcam, and a microphone. Online students have access to an academic advisor, round-the-clock technical support, a student services coordinator, alumni mentors, an online library and bookstore, and faculty support.

On-Site Requirements: There are no onsite requirements for the online MSN or post-master’s certificates. All coursework is online, and practicum hours are completed locally.

The online MSN and post-master’s certificate programs cost $604 per credit plus fees. Candidates should contact the Presbyterian School of Nursing admissions department for current tuition figures, which are subject to change.

MSN students may apply for federal graduate loans and Graduate PLUS loans through the FAFSA. Queens University may offer a tuition discount to eligible Queens alumni. Post-master’s certificate students are not eligible for federal loans but may still secure private loans. Other opportunities for funding include outside scholarships and grants through community and other organizations, as well as tuition reimbursement programs through employers.

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She's the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online MHA programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.