Because of the tireless work of nurses and hospital staff, we can have safe and healthy lives.
In times of pandemic, especially, fearless nurses and doctors work long days to ensure that the medical needs of the public are met.
The profession of a nurse allows individuals to make a positive difference in society.
Nurses who wish to advance their careers can consider earning a master of science in nursing (MSN).
With this degree, they can specialize in various areas of nursing such as gerontology, nurse education, healthcare quality management, leadership, nursing administration, mental health nursing, and more.
Various universities offer 100% online MSN programs.
Not all of these programs require the submission of the GRE (Graduate Record Examination).
However, applicants are usually required to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, be an active RN (registered nurse) with a valid license, and meet the minimum GPA requirement.
Students pursuing an online MSN can complete the program within two years while studying full-time.
The coursework varies by program and chosen specialization, but most programs cover core courses such as healthcare policy and ethics, evidence-based nursing practice, informatics in nursing, the principles of healthcare research.
Graduates can take up managerial or leadership roles in a healthcare facility or obtain positions in an academic or healthcare setting.
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Online No-GRE Nursing Administration Programs – MSN
Sacred Heart University
An online master of science in nursing (MSN) offered by Sacred Heart University comes with three specializations:
- Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) – This track prepares team leaders in healthcare for various departments.
Students learn how to manage costs, exceed the quality of provided care, and ensure safety for patients. - Nursing Education – This specialization teaches students how to train other nurses.
The curriculum has a comprehensive overview of how to design and evaluate the curriculum and nursing education overall. - Nursing Management and Executive Leadership – This specialization prepares nurses for advanced leadership positions.
Nurse executive leaders are responsible for improving the efficiency of the organization and the quality of healthcare.
All tracks are available fully online and allow students to customize their MSN to their professional goals.
Award-wining professors with extensive real-life experience are members of the faculty.
Admission requirements include applicants to hold a current unencumbered RN license, a BSN with a minimum of 3.0 GPA, and provide a current resume, two letters of recommendation, and a statement of professional goals.
No GRE scores are required.
The program includes 12 credit hours of core courses and 27 credit hours of clinical nurse leader track, 24 credit hours for the nursing management and executive leadership track, or 27 credit hours for the nursing education track.
All tracks include core courses, covering theory and professional roles for contemporary nursing practice, evidence-based practice for quality care, healthcare policy and ethics for contemporary nursing practice, principles of healthcare research for contemporary nursing practice.
CNL courses cover healthcare information systems, advanced pathophysiology, family and community context for healthcare, pharmacology for the nurse leader.
Nursing education courses explore nursing education role practicum, advanced pathophysiology, principles of patient and staff education.
Nursing management and executive leadership courses teach management of financial resources, quality and safety in practice, healthcare information systems, healthcare delivery systems.
Graduates of the program can work as a clinical nurse specialist, director of patient care services, nurse manager, nursing informaticist, clinical research nurse.
Besides an MSA, Sacred Heart University also provides an online RN–BSN–MSN that includes both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
- Location: Fairfield, Connecticut.
- Estimated Tuition: $695 per-credit-hour.
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Benedictine University
Benedictine University has an online master of science in nursing (MSN) degree.
This online program prepares RNs for the leadership roles in the ever-changing healthcare environment.
Nurse leaders from across the country with varying levels of experience are members of the faculty.
The program includes two major specializations, which keep up with the current demands and trends of a nursing progression.
Students can customize their education according to their professional goals.
The specializations are:
- Nurse Educator – Students taking this concentration become teachers to prospective nurses and patients in clinical and academic settings.
They learn the curriculum development, instructional strategies, and evaluation methods.
Nurse educators are essential for preparing future nursing leaders. - Nurse Executive Leader – This specialty is developed for nurses who have the desire and ability to take on leadership roles.
Nursing executives are taught to plan and manage high-quality care processes and initiatives at administrative and executive levels.
To be admitted to the program, candidates need a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, an active RN licensure, computer skills (proficiency in library online searches, word processing, email).
They also need to submit a current resume, transcripts from all attended college or universities, a goal statement, a graduate-level degree application, and one letter of professional recommendation.
International students should also provide TOEFL scores, but no GMAT or GRE is required.
The program includes 15 credit hours for core courses and 24 credit hours for the nurse educator specialization or 21 credit hours for executive leader concentration.
Core courses include ethical and culturally competent healthcare professionals, health promotion and interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based nursing practice – research, and process improvement.
Nurse educator courses cover advanced pathophysiology, instructional strategies, advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology.
Nurse executive leadership courses cover advanced knowledge of healthcare systems, building effective communication and relationships, professionalism, and executive career development.
Graduates with nurse educator concentration can work in various settings, such as outreach programs, community services, and healthcare facilities.
- Location: Lisle, Illinois.
- Estimated Tuition: $670 per-credit-hour.
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
University of Saint Mary
The University of Saint Mary has a fully online master of science in nursing (MSN) degree program.
The program doesn’t have any residency requirements.
The faculty includes an expert team of professors with decades of real-life experience in nursing.
The program includes essentials standardized by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
Students have two specialization options to choose from to meet their professional goals best:
- Nurse Educator – In this specialization, students are prepared to become teachers in undergraduate nursing programs.
They can also pursue a doctorate in the future.
Students are taught how to develop lesson plans, create innovative ways to assess students.
They also gain a better understanding of the legal, ethical, cultural, gender, and generational issues related to nursing education as well as learn how to collaborate with teams across different departments. - Nurse Administrator – In this specialization, students develop skills to take over administrative positions in healthcare settings.
They study various leadership styles, the management of an organization, which style is best suited to them, as well as finance.
They also learn about the latest advancements in the fields of health informatics and informational technology.
To be admitted, students should hold a BSN from a baccalaureate nursing degree from a program accredited by CCNE or ACEN issued by a regionally accredited institution.
They should also be a licensed RN and have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
They should submit a completed application, three letters of reference, a statement of purpose, a current resume, and official transcripts from all attended colleges and nursing programs.
No GRE scores are required.
The program includes 35 credit hours with 12 in core courses and 23 in specialized work.
Core courses cover the foundations of advanced nursing practice, informatics in nursing, analysis, and utilization of research.
Nurse educator courses cover the foundations of learning and teaching, advanced health assessment and health promotion, advanced patho-pharm for the nurse educator.
Nurse administrator courses cover leadership, organizational management, and business operations in healthcare.
- Location: Leavenworth, Kansas.
- Estimated Tuition: $615 per-credit-hour.
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
MidAmerica Nazarene University
MidAmerica Nazarene University offers an online master of science in nursing degree, which is specifically designed for the needs of licensed RNs.
The program offers three tracks:
- Healthcare Administration – This track is completely online.
It aims at preparing nurse leaders who can effectively lead healthcare facilities.
Students study the financial aspects of healthcare, how to become updates on regulatory and quality policies, handle human resources, take a strategic approach to planning.
The track includes 39 credit hours.
The curriculum covers human resources and workforce development, theoretical foundations of leadership, financial management, and strategic planning. - Nursing Education – The graduates of this track are nurse leaders who work as faculty in nursing schools or teach in healthcare organizations.
Students study how to create a curriculum, assess skills innovatively, simulate clinical experiences.
The track includes 40 credits and covers such courses as clinical education, curriculum design, and teaching strategies, the theoretical foundations of learning and teaching, assessment of student learning, simulation and technology. - Healthcare Quality Management – This specialization can also be completed online.
It prepares leaders that will implement tried-and-tested initiatives aimed at the improvement of quality and evaluation of existing systems.
This track includes 39 credit hours.
Classes cover database management, healthcare informatics, healthcare law, quality and regulation management, financial reimbursement.
The requirements for admission include a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0, an undergraduate statistics course, and an active RN license in the US.
- Location: Olathe, Kansas.
- Estimated Tuition: $499 per-credit-hour.
- Expected Time to Completion: 26 months.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
