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    Online RN to MSN Program (Nurse Executive)

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    Nurse Executive Online RN to MSN  Degree Program Overview

    Become a Nurse Executive with our Online RN to MSN Track.

    More than ever, there is a need for educated, experienced nurses to assume senior management and leadership positions in healthcare systems, at other organizations, even in government.

    As a Registered Nurse, you already have the key qualities and values that form the basis of leadership.

    Now it is time to learn the management techniques and business skills that will help you be an even more effective leader. And it all begins by earning your Master of Science in Nursing degree with the RN to MSN- Nurse Executive track at NMC.

    Nursing salaries for nurse executives vary widely in the U.S. and are based upon many factors including geography, job description, specialty and experience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the median salary in May 2024 in the United States for Medical and Health Services Managers was $117,960 ($56.71 per hour), with a much faster than average projected job growth of 29 percent between 2023 and 2033.

    Want to learn more? Watch our most recent Virtual Information Session.

    RN to MSN Program Perks
    • Online, CCNE-accredited program can be completed online in 36 months
    • No GRE required 
    • Designed to further skills as a nurse, leader and business executive
    • Curriculum provides skills & knowledge needed to work in a variety of healthcare settings
    • Courses are 5-10 weeks long, with 1 week off before next course
    • Students can access courses at any time of the day and from anywhere 
    • Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible for executive certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Organization for Nursing Leadership
    CCNE

    Accreditation & Licensure

    The master's degree program in nursing at Nebraska Methodist College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.

    Graduates must pass programmatic certification exam based on practice specialty

    Admissions Information

    Criteria

    Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

    • Graduation from an associate degree or diploma RN state approved program of nursing or a program professionally accredited by NLN CNEA or ACEN.
    • GPA of 3.0 or above; GPA below 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis
    • Current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse
    • Must have completed a minimum of 54 undergraduate credit hours prior to enrolling in the program
    • Non- Nebraska Residents meet State Authorization
    • No GRE required for admission 

    Requirements

    To be considered for admission, the following items must be submitted to the Admissions Office:

    Deadlines

    Prospective students may apply anytime and are accepted from deadlines throughout the year. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and students will be notified of their application status by postal mail, email or phone.

    Starting Term - Fall 2026

    Priority Deadline - 1/30/2026

    Standard Deadline - 7/10/2026

    Starting Term - Spring 2026

    Standard Deadline - 12/5/2025

    Costs & Financial Aid

    NMC is committed to helping you find every avenue to finance your education. View the Tuition by Program & Degree page for a comprehensive list of all fees.

    Cost Per Credit Hour

    $350 | $588

    Cost of Attendance

    NMC Scholarships

    NMC Scholarships consist of funds generously provided by the Methodist Hospital Foundation to assist our students.

    Student Grants or Loans

    Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about what's available and how to apply.

    Employee Education Benefits

    Employees of Methodist Health System can find details on the MHS Intranet.

    External Scholarships

    Visit our Scholarships page to learn more.

    Calculate Your Net Price

    Nebraska Methodist College Net Price Calculator.

    Curriculum

    All RN to MSN students are required to complete specific coursework. This list should only be used as a curriculum guide. Course listings and required curriculum are subject to change. A student must earn a minimum of 39 credit hours to be eligible for the Master of Science in Nursing.

    The RN to MSN track for the RN without a bachelor's degree affords the RN the ability to earn 18 semester credit hours of undergraduate bridge courses (statistics, leadership, research, health assessment, population health) and then transition into the MSN Program without receiving a BSN.

    As students advance into the MSN, Nurse Executive Program, their GPA will be reviewed again before the first graduate course. A GPA of 3.0 or above is required. A GPA below 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis.

    The combination of MSN and undergrad bridge coursework equates to a total of 57 credit hours.

    Bridge

    MAT 260
    INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
    DETAILS
    This course is designed to introduce students to the methods used in organizing, summarizing, analyzing and interpreting quantitative information. Emphasis is placed on application of statistical methods and on the interpretation of statistically significant data.

    NRS 403-60
    NURSING ASSESSMENT FOR RNS
    DETAILS
    This course discusses theory and concepts of holistic health assessment across the lifespan. Advancement of skills in history taking, health assessment, and health promotion using concepts of evidence-based practice, critical thinking, genetics/genomics, quality and safety to provide caring, culturally-competent professional nursing care are emphasized. Students will collaborate with a preceptor to perform health assessments in a clinical setting.

    Prerequisites: Placement: Admission to the RN to BSN Program or RN to MSN Program

    NRS 447-60
    COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN NURSING
    DETAILS

    This course focuses on the development of leadership and management competencies essential for nursing practice. Students will assess the impact of leadership decisions on patient care, staff-well-being, and organizational outcomes. Emphasis is placed on enhancing critical thinking, fostering innovation, and leading change in healthcare settings. Principles of leadership, team dynamics, and resource management will be examined. Students will explore personal leadership strengths and areas for professional growth in their nursing practice.

    Prerequisites: Placement: Accelerated BSN students or Admission to the RN to BSN Program or RN to MSN Program

    NRS 478-60/478-60C
    POPULATION CENTERED CARE IN THE COMMUNITY
    DETAILS

    Prerequisites: Placement: Admission to the RN to BSN Program or RN to MSN Program

    SSC 370
    RESEARCH METHODS
    DETAILS
    This course is designed to assist the student in developing an understanding of the research process in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods designs. The student learns to selectively apply the steps of research and to critically analyze research studies culminating in formal, oral and written projects.

    Prerequisites: Determined by major

    Required

    NRS 500
    MSN STUDENT ORIENTATION
    DETAILS
    This course provides an orientation for new MSN students to the Masters of Science in Nursing program at Nebraska Methodist College. Emphasis is placed on program expectations and student resources essential for success in the MSN program. Students will learn how to navigate our virtual learning platforms, access research materials, and engage with faculty and peers.

    Prerequisites: Admission to MSN program

    NRS 502
    LEADERSHIP IN AN ADVANCED NURSING SPECIALTY ROLE
    DETAILS
    In this course, students explore the transition of the nurse into the advanced nursing specialty role. This course will promote an understanding of how a nurse in an advanced nursing specialty role acclimates to new leadership responsibilities by influencing change, responding to chaos/crisis and managing conflict. The significance of teambuilding and interdisciplinary collaboration will be explored. Students begin to develop their professional portfolio based on program outcomes. 

    Prerequisites: To be taken first semester or by permission

    NRS 504
    ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
    DETAILS

    In this course, students synthesize advanced concepts of pathophysiology, health assessment and pharmacology across the lifespan for the advanced nursing specialty role to complete an accurate health database, including history and holistic assessment, across the lifespan. Physiologic changes, clinical manifestations, and drug therapy are integrated to facilitate critical analysis to support clinical decision-making. Virtual clinical experiences allow for practical application of course theory. 

    Prerequisites: NRS 502, or by permission

    NRS 506
    INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
    DETAILS
    In this course, students examine nursing roles in informatics and information technology within the healthcare system. The history, theoretical models, and best practices of nursing informatics are explored. Students investigate ethical, legal, and regulatory standards and workplace policies. Exploration of digital health literacy will be performed. Students examine the consequences of using information and communication technology on the quality of care, efficiency of communications, and connections between the healthcare team, patients, and consumers.

    Prerequisites: NRS 502 or by permission

    NRS 507
    POPULATION HEALTH IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY
    DETAILS
    In this course, students explore concepts of population health and social determinants of health. Students will investigate issues that contribute to understanding population health and health inequities. Emphasis is placed upon the analysis of a population health assessment in informing strategies to advance health outcomes. Students will explore population-focused interventions to address health risks and disparities across selected health care delivery settings. Critical analysis of population health concepts and implementation of management strategies in a community-based practice setting will be examined. The practicum experience allows for practical application of course theory. 

    Prerequisites: NRS 502 or by permission

    NRS 510
    HEALTH POLICY & SYSTEMS-BASED PRACTICE
    DETAILS
    In this course, students investigate the impact of local, regional, national, and global systems and regulations on the safety and quality of care for individuals and diverse populations. The relationship between healthcare economics, health policy, and the complex health system will be explored. Students will examine legislation on current health policies and factors shaping policy development. Students will explore factors of cost containment, resource allocation, risk benefit analysis, quality, advocacy, interprofessional collaboration, and developing and implementing systems solutions in systems-based thinking.

    Prerequisites: NRS 502 or by permission

    NRS 513
    MEASUREMENT & STATISTICAL CONCEPTS FOR DATA INTERPRETATION
    DETAILS
    In this course, students apply nursing knowledge with theory and statistical methods to broaden understanding of nursing concepts and nursing outcomes. Measurement principles, descriptive statistics and relationships between variables are explored to better comprehend nursing and nursing phenomena. Using the framework of disparity and risk in a specific population, students apply content on variable association. Reports using statistics to compare groups and measure patient improvement over time are analyzed for implications for patient populations.

    Prerequisites: NRS 502 or by permission

    NRS 517
    CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF KNOWLEDGE FOR PRACTICE
    DETAILS
    The purpose of this course is the understanding of research processes and interpretation of statistics to make accurate critical appraisals. Students apply the process of drawing conclusions, finding implications, and making recommendations based on an appraised study. Students learn to judge relative merits of studies in answering particular research questions. Questions of the fit of evidence or theory within an identified agency or institutional setting are explored.

    Prerequisites: NRS 509 & NRS 513, or by permission

    NRS 552
    LEADING AN ORGANIZATION
    DETAILS
    Students will search for and synthesize evidence to answer a PICO question. Major sources of research and best practices guidelines are identified. Students use practice sites to examine theory and strategies to promote change and improve outcomes during the implementation of a recommendation. Elements of evaluation of a) the adoption of innovation and b) the improvement in outcomes are discussed.

    Prerequisites: NRS 502 or by permission

    NRS 554
    HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
    DETAILS
    In this course, students build on the management processes in leading an organization and continue to develop professional characteristics and responsibilities of the nurse executive. Emphasis is placed on the human resources aspects of management. Students will examine human resources management processes and interpret leadership traits that influence the processes. Diversity, equity and inclusion concepts related to human resource management as well as the nurse leader’s responsibilities of directing and evaluating will be explored.

    Prerequisites: NRS 552 or by permission

    NRS 558
    FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & ECONOMICS
    DETAILS
    In this course, students will build on information from leading an organization and human resource management incorporating financial and economic perspectives. The history of healthcare reimbursement, economics and health care, accounting principles and information systems for data will be explored. Students apply the strategic management process as it relates to the responsibilities of a nurse executive. Students will use Excel for solving financial problems and budgeting exercises. (For students matriculating in MSN courses Fall 2024: The practicum  experience allows for practical application of course theory.)

    Prerequisites: All program coursework except NRS 559, NRS 592, NRS 594, or by permission

    NRS 559
    NURSE EXECUTIVE PRACTICUM
    DETAILS
    Each student will choose a healthcare setting (acute care, long term care, etc.) to work 126 contact hours with a nurse executive/administrator who will serve as a preceptor. Throughout this course, the student will synthesize management and leadership principles into the nurse executive role. The student must identify a project or topic for improvement, develop a strategy for improvement, use evidence and theory to support the proposed improvement strategy, implement and evaluate the improvement strategy and share the findings and outcomes of the project.

    Prerequisites: All program course work except NRS 592 and NRS 594, or by permission

    NRS 592
    CAPSTONE I
    DETAILS
    In this first course of the capstone sequence, students will synthesize concepts related to research, practice, education and leadership content as well as experiences learned throughout the master's programs of study. Groups of students will collaboratively begin a group-selected evidence-based project. Emphasis is placed on the process of identifying a nursing problem (PICO [T]), searching and critically appraising the literature with development of a summary matrix table.

    Prerequisites: Typically taken in the second-to-last semester, or by permission

    NRS 594
    CAPSTONE II
    DETAILS
    In this second course of the capstone sequence, students will synthesize concepts related to research, practice, education and leadership content and experiences learned throughout the master's program of study. Groups of students will collaboratively complete the group-selected evidence-based project begun in NRS 592. Emphasis will be on the process of completing an evidence-based manuscript suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, a poster presentation suitable for delivery at a local, national or regional conference or a webinar presentation.

    Prerequisites: Typically taken in the last semester, or by permission

    Meet the Faculty

    Our nursing faculty are highly experienced and credentialed in their own fields, giving you constant real-world insight you can use. While instructors in other online RN to MSN programs may simply, ours go a step further and draw from vast personal and professional experiences. Instructors here care as deeply about their students as they do the subject matter and it shows.

    Meet the Faculty

    Additional Information

    RN to MSN FAQs

    What is an MSN?

    A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is a way for RNs to prepare for advanced nursing roles in healthcare settings. Programs typically focus on leadership, clinical competencies, and specialized skills. With your MSN, you can become a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or work in administrative careers. Earning your MSN can open doors to greater responsibility, higher-paying roles, and other opportunities to further your career.

    What is a Nurse Executive?

    The role of a nurse executive is the highest-ranking level in this profession. A nurse executive can be someone who oversees an entire healthcare setting or a nursing team. Titles for these roles include Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and Chief Nursing Executive. You can find a more detailed summary of the role and responsibilities of nurse executives in this informative blog we published on the topic.

    What can you do with an MSN degree?

    There are several career paths suited for graduates of online RN to MSN programs. Travel nursing offers opportunities for nurses to work in different parts of the country, and sometimes the world. Informatics nursing is for those who would enjoy working with patient medical records in administrative settings. If you would enjoy teaching the next generation of nurse practitioners, then a career as a nurse educator could be a great fit. Want to learn more about what you can with an MSN degree? Read this helpful article that goes into more detail.

    What are MSN specializations?

    MSN and RN to MSN programs offer specializations to give students the opportunity to expand their knowledge and clinical skills in a specific area of interest. At Nebraska Methodist College, online RN to MSN students can choose from four specializations: care coordinator, nurse educator, nurse executive, and nursing informatics. If you want to learn more about the curriculum and career outcomes of these specializations, take a moment to review this article that goes into more detail.

    MSN Program Outcomes

    Graduates of MSN program will be able to

    1. Integrate scholarly inquiry into nursing practice to improve outcomes in healthcare.
    2. Demonstrate attributes of a professional, transformative, and visionary nurse leader in an advanced specialty role.
    3. Embrace life-long learning to advance personal growth, the nursing profession, and health outcomes.
    4. Foster interprofessional collaboration through mutual respect, effective communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
    5. Address the impact of social, political, legal, and ethical influences on diverse populations, health policies, and nursing practice.
    6. Demonstrate competence in an advanced specialty role using knowledge, skills, and professional judgment to promote evidence-based nursing practice.
    7. Advocate for compassionate person-centered care in the planning, coordination, and evaluation of care for individuals, families, groups, and populations.
    8. Engage in emerging technologies and information systems to optimize the multifaceted healthcare environment and nursing practice.
    9. Navigate complex systems to improve cost-effectiveness, quality, and safety initiatives that support health care outcomes and systemic equality.

    Online Technology Requirements

    See the Online Technology Requirements

    Example Plans of Study

    Plan of Study - Fall

    Plan of Study - Spring

    MSN Blog Posts

    Professional Organizations

    Testimonial

    "I have a passion for healthcare and leadership. The NMC Nurse Executive program gave me the tools and the confidence to apply for a Senior Director position at my current job. Two years later, I have a degree and positioned myself to get the promotion I dreamed of!"

    - Shelly K., 2021 NMC Graduate

    Program Handbook