University of Phoenix master’s in nursing programs with concentrations in administration, informatics and education are designed to foster nursing leadership
By Sharla Hooper
Concentrations in the Master of Science in Nursing program prepares registered nurse students for roles in leadership, technology and learning
University of Phoenix College of Nursing offers concentrations with the Master of Science in Nursing degree program preparing registered nurses (RNs) for advanced practice and clinical nurse leadership in administration, informatics or education. The programs are Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Administration (MSN/ADM), Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Informatics (MSN/INF), and Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nurse Education (MSN/NED).
The national nursing shortage continues to drive the need for nurse leadership and nursing educators. Nursing leadership is critical at a time when hospitals and health agencies can successfully respond to nursing workforce needs and concerns by engaging and involving nursing leadership.
"Nursing leadership is a skill needed to improve and transform every level of health care,” states Raelene Brooks, Ph.D., RN, dean of the College of Nursing. “The MSN program concentrations were designed by faculty members who are leaders in their specialty of practice. The different program concentrations respond to the needs of our health care system by providing registered nurses the opportunity to advance their skill set, competency in leadership, and integrate evidence based practice to improve patient outcomes."
Each MSN course is mapped to three skills and skills outcomes the students will learn. In developing and updating the programs, College of Nursing faculty and curriculum specialists worked with labor market researchers to align in-demand skills that ensure students have the opportunity to learn and demonstrate them in coursework. While each of the programs is unique, they share three common skills of leadership, health promotion in population health, and advancing nursing practice.
The MSN curriculum is aligned with core competencies and accreditation requirements from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN).
The Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nurse Administration prepares individuals to pursue a future as a hospital, health system or healthcare leader. Students may be eligible to sit for the Nurse Executive Certification Exam and should contact the American Nurses Credentialing Center for eligibility requirements.
The Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Informatics prepares individuals to function in nursing informatics leadership roles, specialize in the design and use of electronically stored data to influence quality in care delivery and provide evidence of meeting quality, compliance and regulatory standards and requirements. Graduates may be eligible to sit for Informatics Nursing Certification Exam and should contact the American Nurses Credentialing Center for eligibility requirements.
The Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nurse Education prepares registered nurses to become leaders in the field of nursing education and to function as a nurse educator in a variety of practice and educational settings. Graduates may be eligible to sit for the Nurse Educator Certification Exam and should contact the National League for Nursing for eligibility requirements.
These MSN degree programs require prerequisites and a total of 34 credit hours to completion.
University of Phoenix College of Nursing has established a Nursing Bridge Program. The Nursing Bridge Program is designed for RNs that have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, and helps working nurses more quickly earn their MSN by taking three upper-level courses and then choosing the master’s path that best suits their needs. The Nursing Bridge Program is available to students interested in one of these three MSN programs but who have a bachelor’s in an unrelated field.
Learn more here about online master’s nursing degree programs at University of Phoenix.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life® help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.
