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RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration
Master of Science in Nursing
Advance your career and prepare to lead with the online RN-to-MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration program from Capella. This CCNE-accredited* program will position you as a nurse executive with advanced skills in leadership, finance, operations management, and health care informatics and technology. It will prepare you to lead on the front lines and behind the scenes.
If you’re an RN with an associate degree, this online RN-to-MSN program can help streamline your path to a master’s degree.
*The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Capella University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Classes start October 9
Use the code SPRING to waive the $50 application fee.
At a glance
- Online
- FlexPath available
- CCNE accredited
- 3 Bridge courses
- 7 Core courses
- 5 Specialization courses
- 1 Practicum course
- 66 Total credits (12 max transfer)
Reduce your tuition by $2,500
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $2.5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your master’s degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
Explore nursing leadership and administration courses
- This degree requires a total of 33 program points in FlexPath or 66 program credits in GuidedPath
- You’ll need to complete three bridge courses, seven core courses, five specialization courses and one practicum
| NURS6210 |
Leadership and Management for Nurse Executives
Learners in this course develop and demonstrate knowledge of contemporary leadership and management concepts and theories relevant to a variety of health care delivery settings. Learners analyze the nurse leader’s role in leading high-performing health care teams and examine the skills needed to collaborate with, and create buy-in from, stakeholders, colleagues, constituencies, and interdisciplinary teams. Learners also examine the impact of cultural, ethical, and regulatory considerations on decision making and implement a future-looking strategic vision to ensure sustainable gains in quality and safety. For MSN learners only. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| NURS6212 |
Health Care Quality and Safety Management
Learners in this course examine the nurse leader’s role in helping to effectively integrate into health care delivery systems the quality and safety principles that inform evidence-based changes and best practices. Learners demonstrate an understanding of the ways they can measure health care quality and safety; monitor and assess patient safety and outcomes; develop a transparent system for identifying and resolving medical errors and adverse patient outcomes; use data to monitor and improve patient care and outcomes; and support a culture of quality and safety. For MSN learners only. |
4 quarter credits |
| NURS6214 |
Health Care Informatics and Technology
Learners in this course gain and demonstrate the knowledge and skills nurse leaders need in order to utilize health information technology to enhance patient care and outcomes. In particular, learners develop a strategy for technological integration and examine the ways in which they can use technology to evaluate patient data to inform patient diagnoses and outcomes. Learners also assess the effective management of technological change within the health care environment and examine issues of consumer access to information and the privacy and confidentiality of patient information. For MSN learners only. |
4 quarter credits |
| NURS6216 |
Advanced Finance and Operations Management
Learners in this course examine the nurse leader’s role in establishing and managing an operations and capital budget. In particular, learners develop an understanding of how to incorporate variances or discretionary spending, manage the labor force within budget parameters, examine the availability and appropriate use of equipment and supplies, and apply finance principles to a strategic plan for achieving an organization’s fiscal goals. For MSN learners only. |
4 quarter credits |
| NURS6218 |
Leading the Future of Health Care
Learners in this course examine the role of the nurse leader in evaluating and responding to health care opportunities and challenges in a rapidly changing local and global environment. Learners develop proactive strategies to drive and lead changes in health care and integrate evidence-based decision making into the culture of the health care organization. Learners also develop the critical-thinking and communication skills needed to positively influence health care redesign and examine the effects of visionary leadership in the field. For MSN learners only. |
4 quarter credits |
Try FlexPath for yourself
In our FlexPath Trial Course, you will explore online self-paced learning, experience the courseroom and view a sample assessment.
What you'll learn
This specialization presents advanced theories, research, and evidence-based best practices for executive leadership and administration in nursing. It can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to lead health care innovations, respond to health care challenges and trends, and manage health care quality and safety as well as the finance and operations of a health care organization.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Integrate nursing leadership theory and management skills to foster and promote ethical and legal health care delivery systems with diverse populations in multiple environments
- Lead the transformation of health care to build innovative and quality health care organizations
- Build high quality health care organizations that meet compliance and regulatory standards through the incorporation of evidence-based decision-making and interprofessional approaches
- Promote the integration of changing technologies in global health care delivery environments
- Cultivate a balance between quality care and fiscal responsibility in order to meet organizational goals
- Create organizational cultures that support quality patient care and address needs of the interprofessional health care team
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
How much does the RN-to-MSN cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on your learning format, academic performance and other factors. See FlexPath and GuidedPath cost information below.
A self-paced learning format that puts you in control. Take courses at your own speed and move on to the next course whenever you’re ready.
- Enroll in one or two core courses at a time and complete as many as you want in 12 weeks
- 2 Capella quarter credits = 1 program point
- Set your own deadlines, no courseroom discussions
- Pay a flat tuition fee per session*
$17,100
ACCELERATED PACE
$25,650
TYPICAL PACE
$37,050
SLOWER PACE
$2,850 per 12-week billing session, 33 total program points, 6 max transfer points
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$24,300
MAX TRANSFER CREDITS
$29,700
AVERAGE TRANSFER CREDITS
$450 per credit, 66 total quarter credits, 12 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, effective July 10, 2023, and is subject to change. Your price will vary depending on your specialization, transfer credits, tuition discounts, and (in FlexPath) how quickly you complete courses. Books, supplies, and other fees are not included in this estimate. GuidedPath prices show the tuition you would pay if you brought in an average number of transfer credits or the maximum allowed transfer credits. FlexPath prices show the tuition you would pay if you brought in an average number of transfer credits and completed courses at the speed of a median FlexPath student, as quickly as the fastest 25% of FlexPath students, or as quickly as the fastest 75% of students. New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Military Tuition Assistance is not available for FlexPath.
Capella is committed to transparency in its tuition and pricing. In addition to tuition, you will be responsible for additional costs, which may include an application fee, travel expenses, and practicum costs. A resource kit fee of $50-$175, charged quarterly or per billing session, covers the cost of required books, software, and other course materials. Click here to review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education. Learn more about financing your education.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
*Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2021–2022
“One of the best things about FlexPath is that it doesn’t feel like I missed out on life, or that I was pushing off my work.”
*Actual FlexPath graduate compensated for appearing in Capella promotional materials.
Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future. When thinking about your financing options, there are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Capella University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
What are the MSN admission requirements?
Admission requirements
Applicants to the RN-to-MSN in Nursing Leadership & Administration must provide the following information for admission:
- A minimum of 135 completed undergraduate credits or 90 semester credits
- Your official transcripts, with a grade point average of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Verification of your current, unrestricted RN license to practice in the United States
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation, and other administrative costs
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
FlexPath admission requirements
Applicants for our FlexPath Self-Paced Learning option must also meet the following criteria:
- The recommended minimum GPA is 2.8, although those with lower GPAs may be considered if providing additional documentation for review.
Step into FlexPath is an option for those who don’t qualify for FlexPath. Start a program in our GuidedPath learning format, and then transition into FlexPath upon successful completion of one course, at a 2.8 GPA or higher.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.
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As an RN, you may be aware of many of the options available to you, but what about positions specific to an advanced degree, such as an (MSN) in nursing?
What can you do with an RN to MSN Nursing Leadership & Administration degree?
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with an MSN in Nursing Leadership & Administration.
Job titles to explore
- Nurse manager
- Nurse administrator
- Nurse educator
- Clinical manager
- Nurse supervisor
- Director of nursing
- Health director
- Health manager
- Chief nursing officer
Employment settings to explore
- Hospital
- Home health care agency
- Community or technical college
- Health insurance company
- Ambulatory care office
- Nursing care facilities
- Land-based or online college or university
- Government—local, state, federal
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.