Non-Clinical Specialty

Nursing and Health Care Leadership

Vanderbilt’s Nursing and Health Care Leadership specialty develops nurse leaders ready to meet the clinical, management and fiscal challenges in the nation’s evolving health care industry. The curriculum incorporates integrated learning experiences that focus on the development of keen analytic skills vital to managing and leading health care services across multiple settings and specialty areas.

 

This program is not currently accepting applications.  

 

Health care and Nursing Leadership student gestures to material on a screen while three other students listen.

Specialty Highlights 

Complete in 6 Part-time Semesters

Part-time format allows nurses to continue to work full time.

Online Learning Format

On-campus learning experiences may be required in August of the first year and periodically during the program of studies 

Post-Master's Certificate

3 Semester Post-Master’s Certificate option available

We’re using formal methods of quality improvement in our new Hospital at Home program—I’m continually applying all the great content I learned in my MSN program.

Brett Young, MSN’21
Nurse Manager, Hospital at Home, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Prestigious Program with Exceptional Outcomes

  • Students learn from experienced leaders in clinical nursing and executive leadership
  • Classes are small and collaborative, with low faculty-to-student ratios and personalized attention
  • Part-time program is designed so busy nursing professionals can work while pursuing career-advancing education
  • Assignments incorporate specific issues students deal with on the job

Curriculum & Objectives

This leadership program prepares nurses to manage and lead health care services across multiple settings and specialty areas, as well as to face an ever-changing health care environment. Curriculum is based on current, relevant nursing practice that challenges nurses to work as both individuals and group members to critically analyze, evaluate and develop solutions in response to emerging trends and issues in nursing practice and health care.

The Nursing and Health Care Leadership curriculum incorporates the 2021 AACN Essentials, assuring students receive a comprehensive and up-to-date education that meets the highest standards in nursing education and assures they are well-prepared for practice.

Time Commitment

This online specialty is designed for working health care professionals who must balance the demands of work, family and home life. Most of the students require 15 to 20 hours of study per week. The part-time program consists of 35 total credit hours (38 with 3 hour elective) and can be completed in approximately two years (six semesters).

Outcomes

Nursing and Health Care Leadership graduates are prepared to practice in a variety of settings. The settings include, but are not limited to: nurse-managed clinics, managed care firms, community-based clinics, ambulatory care centers, hospitals, data management firms, practice management organizations, corporate organizations, and government agencies.

It’s important that nurses who want to be in leadership commit to learning the competencies needed—finance, quality, human resources, strategic planning. They need to have expertise in these areas.

Debra Arnow, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Nursing and Health Care Leadership Specialty Director

Take the Next Step

Looking for leadership education? Consider the executive leadership track in our Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. Contact admissions counselor Stephen White with questions. For more information from the specialty director, view this webinar.