Online Master of Science in Nursing (Emphasis in Strategic Systems Leadership)

OpusVi™ and NAU have worked together to make the MS in Nursing (Strategic Systems Leadership) accessible to nurse leaders. Applicants must fulfill certain requirements for admission:

• Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program or an associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited program with a bachelor’s degree in another field.
• For applicants with an associate’s degree in nursing and a bachelor's degree in another field
  • Completion of undergraduate public health nursing (theory and clinical) course(s) passed with a grade of “B” or better is required.
  • And either: 
    • Completion of an undergraduate introduction to statistics course from a college or university with a grade of “C” or better, or a “Pass”. Another option is completion of a graduate course in statistics, passed with a “B” grade or higher, and completed prior to enrollment in NUR 530. 
  • Or:
    • Completion of undergraduate courses in nursing research (didactic) and public health nursing (didactic and clinical) with grades of “B” or better.
• A minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required in all nursing coursework of the baccalaureate program or the associate’s degree in nursing program. If the applicant's GPA is below 3.0, students can be given provisional admission. The student can take 9 credits and if the applicant's grades are a "B" average or better, they could receive full admission to the program.
• Applicants must have a current RN license in good standing to practice as an RN in Arizona (or your state of residence/employment); or eligibility to obtain an Arizona license, or meet the Arizona Board of Nursing regulations regarding multistate licensure.
• Due to State Board of Nursing and other legal requirements, we do not accept students into the program that live in AL, TN, WA, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, nor are we permitted to allow students to complete the program if they relocate to one of these states.

Please inquire with us to ensure this program matches your needs and that your application will be successful. 

To help you plan and gather your application documents, here is an overview of the application process: 

1. Fill out the graduate application form: https://www.applyweb.com/northazg/index.ftl 
   • Campus: Select “Organizational Partnerships Online”.
   • Degree: “Select Master of Science (MS) in Nursing (Emphasis in Strategic Systems Leadership)”.
2. Upload the following materials to the online application:
   • Your résumé
   • A Comprehensive Goal Statement answering questions about your motivation to study this program as well as future goals (Approximately 2,500 words.)
3. Your transcripts

• NUR 511 — Theory, Systems, and Regulatory Principles (2 credits)
• NUR 520 — Applied Pathophysiology for APNs (3 credits)
• NUR 531 — Evidence-Based Quality, Safety, and Practice for Nurse Leaders (2 credits)
• NUR 540 — Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
  • Course requirement: NUR 520
• NUR 551 — Business Finance and Economics in Practice (3 credits)
• NUR 561 — Population Health, DEI, and Care Coordination (3 credits)
• NUR 606 — Strategic Systems Thinking (3 credits)
• NUR 650 — Advanced Nursing Assessment (3 credits)
• NUR 651 — Ethical Decision-Making (3 credits)
• NUR 676 — Healthcare Systems: Technology, Quality, and Economics (3 credits)
• NUR 683 — Strategic Systems Leadership Application (Capstone Project, 2 credits)

Total credits: 30

The curriculum is currently in development and subject to change. 

25% of the credits can be transferred into the program if they are not older than six years at the time of graduation from NAU.

OpusVi™ and NAU have worked closely with experienced, hospital-based nurse leaders to ensure that the curriculum of the Master of Science in Nursing (Emphasis in Strategic Systems Leadership) meets changing demands of a post-COVID workforce to equip learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive positive change in their healthcare organizations. Upon graduation, learners will be able to:

• Design patient-centered and culturally responsive strategies in the delivery of clinical prevention, health promotion interventions, and services to individuals, families, communities, and clinical populations
• Develop and collaborate within interprofessional teams and partnerships by using effective communication strategies
• Advance patient education, enhance accessibility of care, analyze practice patterns, and improve healthcare and nurse-sensitive outcomes by leveraging information and communication technologies
• Integrate theory, evidence, clinical judgment, research, and interprofessional perspectives using translational processes to improve practice and associated health outcomes for patient aggregates
• Analyze how policies influence the structure and financing of healthcare, practice, and health outcomes
• Examine the effect of legal and regulatory processes on nursing practice, healthcare delivery, and outcomes
• Advocate for patients, families, caregivers, communities, and members of the healthcare team
• Incorporate core scientific and ethical principles in identifying potential and actual ethical issues arising from practice, and assisting patients and other healthcare providers to address such issues
• Transform healthcare systems to address health equity and social justice, thus reducing health disparities in vulnerable populations
• Assume leadership and research roles in developing, implementing, and evaluating culturally reinforcing nursing and other healthcare services from local to global perspectives
• Prioritize the social and cultural factors that affect health in designed and delivering care across multiple contexts
• Create partnerships that promote sustainable environmental health policies and conditions
• Analyze and promote social, political, and economic policies that influence sustainable environments and reduce human health exposures in a global society

The learning outcomes align with Standards from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Global healthcare spending could reach over $10 trillion by 2022. The U.S. has the greatest healthcare spending, sitting at $10,224 per capita — twice of other developed countries.

Professionals who are able to not only keep up with healthcare’s rapid changes but actively shape health systems and improve outcomes, are in demand.

Our program can help graduates pursue roles as

• Nurse Leader, Manager, or Administrator: Chief Nursing Officer, Nurse Director, Nursing Supervisor
• Nurse Consultant

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2021 median pay for Medical and Health Services Managers was $101,340. The sector is expected to grow by 32% (139,600 jobs, much faster than average) from 2020–2030.

OpusVi™ and NAU’s Master of Science in Nursing Administration (Emphasis in Strategic Systems Leadership) has been designed to help current and future nurse leaders who:

• Are BSN-prepared nurses or nurses with an associate’s degree in nursing with a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to earn an MSN to advance their careers towards leadership roles
• Want to build a strategic business background grounded in the nursing profession
• Aim to create a long-term, sustainable impact in healthcare at the team, system, and national policy levels
• Wish to improve care processes, outcomes, and patient experiences
• Want to develop strategies to drive meaningful change, lead diverse teams, and foster collaboration by generating data-driven, cost-effective solutions

As the curriculum was developed with hospital-based nurse leaders, this program is most appropriate for nurses who work in hospitals and acute care settings. 

If you don’t see yourself reflected in the above groups but are interested in the program, we encourage you to inquire with us today to discuss your professional aspirations and whether this program will be a good fit for you.

Managing complex and dynamic challenges such as climate, food, or health requires a departure from traditional top-down, hierarchical, and linear approaches to make a positive change. Instead, it requires an innovative and adaptive approach that engages diverse stakeholders to advance progress toward a shared vision for systemic change. This approach is called Systems Leadership.

The total estimated program cost is $25,075, including:

• A tuition cost of $17,130, based on a rate per credit of $571
• Financial Aid Trust Fees ($150 per semester)
• Technology Fees ($189 per semester)
• Program Fees ($6,850 per semester)
• Graduate Application Fee ($65 at time of application)
• Graduate Matriculation Fee ($25 for the first semester only)
• Graduation Application Fee ($35 when applying for graduation)

Please note: These costs are based on calculations for the 2024–2025 academic year. Tuition and fees are subject to change at the discretion of The Arizona Board of Regents or legislature.