Leadership in nursing and health care systems

University of Missouri-Columbia
Master of science in nursing
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Master of science in nursing

Embrace your desire to drive change by earning a master of science in nursing (MSN) in leadership in nursing and health care systems from the University of Missouri (Mizzou).

You applied yourself to receive a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and now persevere in the face of several challenges to uphold patient care. In uncovering your calling, you’ve found that leadership and advocacy are integral parts of your psyche.

From day-to-day operations to keeping pace with the latest developments in nursing, take a step toward a career as a nurse leader or nurse executive through this blended online and in-person course of study. An MSN core with specialty courses in nurse leadership strengthens your understanding of management, health care policy, technology, informatics and finance to improve patient outcomes and help you transform your organization from within. 

Following completion of the program, you will be eligible to obtain Advanced Nurse Executive certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. To sit for the exam, candidates must have a relevant master’s degree and two years or more of full-time employment within the past five years in an administrative position at the nurse executive level or a faculty position teaching graduate students executive-level nursing administration.

Completion of the MSN in leadership in nursing and health care systems further prepares you to pursue Certified Nurse Manager and Leader and Executive Nursing Practice certifications through the American Organization for Nursing Leadership

Top-ranked programs

Mizzou's online master's in nursing programs ranked among the nation's finest in U.S. News & World Report 2024.

Quick facts

Official name

Master of science in nursing with an emphasis in leadership in nursing and health care systems

Campus

University of Missouri-Columbia

Program type

Master's degree

Academic home

Sinclair School of Nursing

Delivery mode

Blended, some campus visits required

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Credit hours

33

Estimated cost

$19,800.00

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

Why earn an online MSN in leadership in nursing and health care systems? 

Think ahead: you’ve spent a number of years in a clinical role, and now, you want to advance after experience with leadership or management. This online master’s in nursing leadership helps propel you forward. Designed for post-BSN and post-graduate degree holders eyeing a career as a nurse leader, this program equips you to:

  • Manage clinical efforts in health care organizations, applying research to improve care quality
  • Have a voice in creative, entrepreneurial and financial efforts
  • Lead teams of nurses to improve service delivery and evidence-based care
  • Pursue a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) in a similar discipline

Through this mostly online program’s two-part format, candidates:

  • Understand what it takes to grow professionally and cultivate their leadership style in the process
  • Progress their knowledge of the nursing profession and refine their skill set toward effective leadership and management
  • Learn to promote health policy, improve care and serve diverse populations through the services provided, via teamwork and collaboration and to advocate for patients
  • Expand what they know about applications of research, technology and informatics in the health care field to reach the next level in their careers and to advance the nursing profession
  • Will be taught by experienced nurse educators, leaders and practitioners ready to guide you toward your personal and professional goals
Nurse talking to another medical professional.

Career prospects

Meet the growing demand for health care managers and leaders. Between 2020 and 2030, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 32% more positions for medical and health services managers.

Within this field, Mizzou’s online MSN in leadership in nursing and health systems trains you to make an impact as a:

  • Clinical manager in any health care operation providing front line clinical guidance and leadership
  • Nursing executive in any clinical setting with a focus upon fiscal and clinical excellence
  • Nurse entrepreneur in business or innovative health care settings
  • Nurse consultant providing insight into managing general clinical operations, patient safety initiatives and human resource challenges
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
13.64%
Employment growth
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
$74,000
Median salary

Live webinar: Apr. 9! Register today.

Learn more about doctorate, master's and graduate certificate program offerings during a live online presentation by Miriam Butler from MU's Sinclair School of Nursing. Get answers to your career questions.

Register today!

Program structure

The MSN in leadership in nursing and health care systems consists of two parts: MSN core courses (13 credit hours) and specialty courses in leadership (19 credit hours). 

Although this degree program uses a blended format, most courses are held online. Certain components are in person:

- You’ll attend a required two-day campus orientation in the summer before you officially start the program

- Select leadership courses may involve on-campus visits

- Clinical experiences are integral to the program but can be fulfilled close to home under the observation of an approved preceptor

Through the core courses, you’ll receive a thorough introduction to advanced nursing roles and related professional issues, the analysis and application of scientific research, using evidence-based practice as a tool for change and the role of public health, policy and advocacy in nursing. 

These courses set the foundation for the leadership in nursing and health care systems specialty. Along with honing your management skills, you’ll learn to direct quality and safety initiatives in health care, guide the implementation of evidence-based practice and explore leadership from a holistic perspective. Helping you see yourself as a visionary, you’ll delve into finance and human resources topics and understand how to take charge of care and performance outcomes.

Courses are held in a semester-based format. Students attend this online master’s of nursing leadership program on a full- or part-time basis, finishing within three to five years.

Course work

Once you begin the leadership in nursing and health care systems specialty, courses will cover:

  • Financial analysis, decision-making and resource-management techniques in health care
  • Deriving data to improve patient safety and outcomes
  • Organizational behavior theories 
  • The principles of health care leadership, management and evaluation

Review all the courses for the online leadership in nursing and health care master of science program.

Delivery

Blended, some campus visits required

Calendar system

Semester-based

Typical program length

2.5-3 years

Typical course load

Part time

Accreditation

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The MS at the Sinclair School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The mission of the Sinclair School of Nursing reined me in. Their motto is enriching.
MS ’18

Learn more about this program

This program is administered by the Sinclair School of Nursing