Complex Healthcare Systems Administration (MSN)

Applications for this master's degree program are reviewed on a rolling basis and processed through the Office of Graduate Admission.

View the MSN Admission Requirements

Graduates of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program are expected to achieve the following outcomes upon completion:

1. Knowledge for Nursing Practice

Implement and manage a systematic approach (integration, translation and application) to critical thinking and clinical reasoning, inclusive of knowledge from nursing, other disciplines, theology, philosophy, and the other liberal arts and natural and social sciences to make judgments and create innovations in advanced nursing practice/specialty level for the common good

2. Person-Centered Care

Provide, promote, and manage care and care teams that support holistic, individualized, just, compassionate, coordinated, evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive care that is respectful of the dignity of the human person, promotes human flourishing, and is consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

3. Population Health

Implement evidence-based and collaborative activities that promote health, prevent disease, and manage risks, considering social determinants of health and advocating for the improvement of equitable health outcomes, across the continuum of care and levels of prevention through both traditional and non-traditional partnerships from diverse communities, public health, industry, academia, health care, local government entities, and others.

4. Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline

Synthesize, translate, apply, and disseminate nursing knowledge to improve health and transform health care.

5. Quality and Safety

Implement initiatives to address clinical quality issues using innovation principles and processes, improvement science and evidence to promote a culture of patient, provider, and work environment safety through both system effectiveness and individual performance.

6. Interprofessional Partnerships

Implements models of interprofessional teamwork and intentional collaboration with colleagues, patients, families, and communities that value engagement with the city, nation, Church and world through participatory decision-making related to healthcare needs that optimizes, enhances and improves health outcomes within advanced nursing specialty practice.

7. Systems-Based Practice

Develop and lead strategy implementation for coordinated, cost-effective, proactive and efficient care within complex healthcare systems based on Catholic values to provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations.

8. Informatics and Healthcare Technologies

Navigate information and communication technologies to gather data, guide decision making, and provide care respecting the dignity of the human person that aligns with best practice and professional and regulatory standards.

9. Professionalism

Model a sustainable professional identity grounded in Catholic social teaching, inclusive of honesty, integrity, accountability, a collaborative disposition, and ethical behavior reflective of the Catholic identity and nursing’s unique characteristics and values.

10. Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development

Model and mentor others in activities that demonstrate a commitment to lifelong whole person well-being, intellectual curiosity, professional growth and development, resilience, and healthcare leadership.

These indirect care hours are primarily completed in the leadership practicums and include nursing care activities provided at the point of care with other healthcare providers that are intended to achieve specific health goals or achieve selected health outcomes, regardless of setting. These activities refer to decision, actions or interventions that are provided through or on behalf of individuals, families, or groups.

The practicums are completed during the last two semesters (summer and fall), and most students complete these practicums with an identified nurse and/or healthcare leader in their practice setting/place of employment, based on a student's area of practice interest, including professional development, executive leadership, financial management, case management, quality improvement, and patient safety. 

Yes, all students have successfully completed this MSN program, integrated with full-time work and family responsibilities.

There is no minimum number of years of nursing practice required for acceptance. This is based on the individual student and readiness for higher education pursuit.

The Conway School of Nursing offers generous scholarships to qualified graduate nursing students to defer some tuition costs. Students should also inquire about tuition reimbursement and nursing scholarships through their place of employment. Additionally, students are also encouraged to explore if any professional nursing organizations they belong to offer education scholarships.