ASN-MSN in Health Systems Leadership

The Master of Science in Nursing in Health Systems Leadership (ASN to MSN) track provides an academic experience that prepares students to be transformative nurse leaders and world-changers. Students pursuing this track must possess an associate degree in nursing. The major is designed to develop healthcare system leaders who are ethical, effective, efficient, and innovative to meet the needs of the future of healthcare. These goals are accomplished by developing nurse scholars through an integrated experience of advanced intellectual challenge, collaboration, evidence-based professional growth, and hands-on, real-world experience. Graduates are to complete required practicum hours and are prepared to assume leadership roles within a variety of healthcare settings. Some courses have prerequisites/corequisites.

Upon completion of the program, the graduate should be able to:

Integrate knowledge of the art and science of leadership and nursing into the role of a nursing leader.
Create an environment that fosters a person-centered approach to nursing leadership that values the well-being of one’s self, staff, patients, families, and communities and establishes communication skills to enhance interprofessional relationships.
Lead systems to enhance population health.
Utilize scholarship and evidence to guide quality improvement principles in the leadership of nursing practice.
Apply systems and complexity principles to lead nursing practice through the use of information and communication technology.

Admission Requirements

Admission to all masters nursing majors begins with submission of required application forms, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts of previous college and university studies. Acceptance into any Masters Nursing program will remain valid for a period of 18 months.

To assist in the decision-making process, the Division of Masters Nursing reserves the right to require the applicant to interview.

Criteria for regular admission are:

An associate degree in nursing from a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and national nursing programmatic accreditation (CCNE, ACEN, CNEA). Up to sixty credits may be transferred from an accredited associate degree program. Applicants from a state board of nursing-approved school of nursing (diploma or proprietary school of nursing) who have passed the NCLEX-RN exam may apply for credit through the evaluation process. A maximum of 40 credit hours awarded may be counted toward the required 60. This applies only to students applying to the Nursing program.
GPA for admission.
- A grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 from the associate degree granting college or university.
Or
- GPA Criteria for conditional admission: Applicants who do not meet the GPA listed in the criteria for regular admission and have at least a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA from all previous studies may be conditionally admitted and allowed to take 9- credit hours of bachelors nursing courses to establish a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Students who have earned a 3.0 GPA by the completion of 9-credit hours in bachelor’s nursing courses, will meet the criteria for regular admission.
- An unsatisfactory grade (C- or lower in any NUR course) while conditionally admitted will result in administrative withdrawal from the program and denial of regular admission.
- Students who do not earn a 3.0 GPA after completing 9 credit hours in bachelor’s nursing courses will be denied regular admission.
Original transcript from the degree-granting institution.
Proof that all nursing licenses – whether current or inactive – are unencumbered. Potential students with encumbered nursing licenses will not be considered eligible for enrollment at Indiana Wesleyan University.
All applicants must provide three letters of professional reference. References should be from faculty members, professional colleagues, work supervisors, or a pastor who can evaluate the applicant’s potential for success in a graduate program. Recommendations from family members are NOT appropriate. These letters should be solicited from professionals who can address the applicant’s qualifications for the MSN programs.
A criminal history background check (at the student's expense) must be completed upon admission to any track of the Masters Nursing program. A criminal background check must be completed within six weeks following the start of the program. Upon request, documentation of background checks, required health information, immunization information, drug screening results, and other required information may be provided to healthcare facilities where the student will be completing clinical/practicum requirements as part of their required course of study. Progression in the program is dependent on the results of the reports.

Program Requirements

Progression Policy:

Successful completion of all undergraduate courses with a minimum grade of "C" and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 prior to enrolling into GNUR-501.
Successful completion of all MSN GNUR core courses with a minimum grade of "C" and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Successful completion of all major specific Health Systems Leadership courses, with a minimum grade of "B" and cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Any student found to have falsified clinical/practicum hours will be immediately dismissed and not allowed to re-enter any nursing program at IWU.
Students must fulfill all requirements as stipulated by practicum sites. Students must be licensed in the state in which they are completing practicum course experiences.
Students who maintain continuous enrollment, make normal progress toward a degree, and earn their degree within a maximum of five years from the date of enrollment may meet the graduation requirements as stated in the catalog under which they enrolled.

Clinical Compliance Documentation:

Before beginning any clinical or practicum experiences, students must meet all practicum agency requirements (at the student's expense). All Advanced Practice Registered Nursing students, and as required other students, must complete a second criminal background check and a drug screen, and submit documentation of health clearance, immunizations, and meet any other requirements of the practicum site before any client contact. In addition, random drug testing (ex. annually) or drug testing based on reasonable suspicion can be implemented at any time and without prior notice. Students who do not comply will be dismissed from the program. Progression in the program is dependent on the results of the reports.
Upon request, documentation of required health information, background check reports, drug screening results, and other required information may be provided to healthcare facilities where the student will be completing clinical/practicum requirements as part of their required course of study.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of this program awards the MSN degree. A BSN is not awarded.

To graduate, students must have completed the following:

Completion of all undergraduate and MSN requirements for the specific program major.
Met the minimum grade requirement for each course.
Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Program must be completed within a maximum of five years from the date of enrollment.
Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.

ASN-MSN in Health Systems Leadership - Program of Study

All courses must be completed with a satisfactory grade in order to continue in the program.

Undergraduate Courses

All undergraduate courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.

NUR-338	Introduction to Professional Nursing	1
NUR-342	Knowledge of Nursing Practice and Person-Centered Care	4
NUR-382	Quality, Safety, & Interprofessional Practice	4
NUR-432	Informatics & Healthcare Technologies	4
NUR-462	Systems-Based Healthcare	4
Total Credit Hours:		17

Core Courses

All core courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.

GNUR-501	Evidence Based Communication	3
GNUR-529	Epidemiology & Care of Populations	3
GNUR-529P	Epidemiology & Care of Populations Practicum	1
GNUR-532	Synthesis of Advanced Pharmacology, Physical Assessment, and Pathophysiology	4
GNUR-532P	Synthesis of Advanced Pharmacology, Physical Assessment, and Pathophysiology Practicum	1
Total Credit Hours:		12

Major Courses- Health Systems Leadership

All major courses must be completed with a grade of "B" or higher.

HSL-513	Professional Development of the Health Systems Nurse Leader	1
HSL-680	Transformative Leadership	3
HSL-680P	Transformative Leadership Practicum	1
HSL-682	Practice Leadership	4
HSL-682P	Practice Leadership Practicum	1
HSL-684	Collaborative Leadership	4
HSL-684P	Collaborative Leadership Practicum	1
HSL-686	Systems Leadership	3
HSL-686P	Systems Leadership Practicum	1
HSL-688P	Nursing Leadership Capstone Practicum	3
Total Credit Hours:		22