Bridge MSN: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems Emphasis

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Degree Level

Bridge

Class Setting

Online

Area of Study

Healthcare

Program

Bridge - MSN: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems

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Citizenship Status

U.S. Citizen

Military Affiliation

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Country

United States

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Overview

Prepare for Management and Leadership in Healthcare

The Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems Bridge pathway at Grand Canyon University helps registered nurses (RNs) with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree in a health-related field make the transition to master’s degree studies. Explore modern nursing theory and evidence-based research in a curriculum that pairs instructional classes with experiential learning. Join leaders and change-makers on the forefront of nursing advancement by completing your bridge pathway and advancing to graduate-level nursing studies.

View All Bridge MSN Pathways

Patient Safety

Health Informatics

Nursing Education

Public Health Nursing

Acute Care Nurse

Family Nurse Practitioner

Bridge (Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems)

Offered By

College of Nursing and Health Care Professions

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $340 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 24

Online: 5 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)

16+ years old
High School Graduate
3.0+ Unweighted GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

ACT: 19
SAT: 1000*

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).

Why GCU

Gain Skills in Nursing Leadership

Our College of Nursing and Health Care Professions is committed to promoting the strength and integrity of the healthcare profession by educating professionals who provide highly competent, patient-focused care. With a priority on patient health and safety, we strive to prepare our students to make a positive impact.

This MSN bridge pathway is designed to prepare you to tackle graduate-level nursing curriculum with confidence. Examine the core competencies of leadership and management in healthcare, all through the lens of the Christian worldview. Prepare to apply evidence-based research in clinical care scenarios and work toward more favorable outcomes for your patients.

Enjoy Flexibility With the Online RN to MSN Bridge

GCU understands that working professionals can benefit from flexibility in scheduling and geographic location. You can complete this online¹ MSN bridge pathway through online classes, connecting to your instructors and peers. Access your coursework through our intuitive e-learning platform.

This Degree Is Offered Online

Coursework

Bridge MSN: Nursing Leadership Emphasis Coursework

In this RN to MSN bridge pathway online,¹ you can work to develop your skills in critical thinking, effective communication, leadership and administration of resources to help you position yourself for potential management roles in today’s complex healthcare environments. Upon completing the courses in the nursing bridge pathway, you may be prepared for entry into the MSN in leadership program. This bridge pathway offers focused preparation that may enable you to meet prerequisite requirements.

Through the Bridge MSN: Nursing Leadership emphasis, you can build on your existing nursing foundation by completing coursework from the BSN curriculum. You will also be required to complete a practicum course. Practicum experiences enable you to work with a preceptor who will support your education and guide your connection of theory and practice. You will be encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge of patient care and organizational leadership.

Explore core competencies such as:

Dynamics of nursing practice

Health assessment methodologies and health promotion strategies

Applied statistics

Nursing research methodologies and applications

Concepts in public health

Pathophysiological processes of diseases in patients across the lifespan

Accreditation

Complete Your Bridge MSN at an Accredited University

As an institutionally accredited university, we prioritize the quality of education and comprehensiveness of the curriculum with the goal of better preparing our students to step into leadership positions with integrity. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.

Following the completion of this bridge, you may decide to apply to one of our online¹ master’s in nursing degrees that have received programmatic accreditation.

University Accreditation

Programmatic Accreditation

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re a current nurse looking to further your studies and prepare yourself to pursue leadership positions, this bridge pathway may be the right fit for you. Read through our frequently asked questions to learn more about this bridge pathway.

This RN to MSN bridge pathway is intended for licensed nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and who desire to advance to an MSN program. You will be taught BSN-related coursework that can help qualify you to apply for entry into MSN-level studies. While you will not be completing your BSN, you will be taught foundational BSN materials as well as material related to nursing leadership.

This bridge pathway is intended to utilize courses taken previously and allow students to complete prerequisites required for MSN entry, whereas the MSN program confers a degree.

Eligibility for this program requires an active current RN license and a bachelor's degree in a health-related field. Nurses who have a BSN are eligible for direct entry into an MSN program. You must also meet all other graduate admission requirements. Review our graduate admission requirements page and fill out the form on this page to get in contact with a university counselor who can help determine your eligibility.

Courses

Course List

Credit Summary

Major24 credits

Degree Requirements24 credits

Core Courses

NRS-415

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, the role of the professional nurse, and the importance of effective nursing leadership. Standards of practice, differentiated nursing practice, professional accountability, interprofessional collaboration, and quality improvement are emphasized with importance placed on the application of leadership styles and management skills.

NRS-420

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on methods of health history taking, physical examination skills, and documentation. Learners integrate assessment skills and clinical judgment/reasoning in identifying actual or potential health problems and needs across the life span. Health promotion strategies are incorporated to provide for the unique needs of the individual, ensuring person-centered care. Learners design plans of care based on evidence-based research and practice.

NRS-425

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the community as the patient taking into account varying cultures, spiritual values, geographic norms, and economic conditions. The course examines social determinants of health, including social, legal, and political variables impacting individual, community, and population health across the life span. Students use epidemiological data, functional health pattern assessments, and nursing theories to plan and intervene in areas of health promotion and disease prevention across the life span.

NRS-455

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is designed to build upon existing knowledge of the pathophysiological processes of disease as they affect patients across the life span, recognizing the nurse's multidimensional role in health promotion and disease management and prevention, which include biological, environmental, social, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. Integration of nutritional and pharmacological concepts encourages critical thinking and application of nursing interventions. Prerequisite: NRS-420.

HLT-362V

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This is an introductory course on concepts of statistics, emphasizing applications to health care professions. The course is designed to prepare learners to understand concepts of statistics and the appropriateness of statistical methods used in published research papers and a variety of settings. Areas of emphasis include an introduction to the statistical analysis concepts of variable/reliability factors; P values; experimental design; descriptive statistics, including mean, median, and mode; sampling methods; and power analysis.

NRS-445

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This writing-intensive course promotes the use of research findings as a basis for improving clinical practice. Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are analyzed with an emphasis on the critical review of research studies and their application to clinical practice. Students develop evidence-based practice recommendations from the critical analysis of available literature guided by a PICOT question. Prerequisite: HLT-362V.

NRS-465

6 Total Credits

Course Description

The final course in the program is writing-intensive. It will integrate the academic and practical knowledge students have acquired throughout the program’s curriculum. Students participate in planned clinical experiences that refine professional competencies at the baccalaureate level and enable them to integrate new knowledge and enhanced skills to advance nursing practice. Clinical practice hours are dedicated to learning objectives in leadership and community health. The evidence-based project provides students an opportunity to identify a clinical nursing practice issue and propose a possible solution. Students, under the guidance of faculty and approved preceptors, identify and analyze a nurse practice issue, develop a change project, and propose an evidence-based solution that reflects synthesis and integration of course content and professional practice. The evidence-based project development is guided by the baccalaureate program learning outcomes. Clinical hours: 100. 50 hours in leadership and 50 hours in community health. Prerequisite: NRS-415, NRS-420, NRS-425, HLT-362V, NRS-445, PHI-413V, NRS-450, NRS-455, NRS-460.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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