Transformational Leadership in Nursing (MS and Advanced Certificate)

Master of Science (MS) in Transformational Leadership in Nursing

View Advanced Certificate in Transformational Leadership in Nursing

There is a growing need for leaders prepared at the graduate level to oversee healthcare organizations that are becoming exceedingly complex given mergers, multiple payment systems, advancing technology and a diverse, multi-generational workforce that is aging. A curriculum strong in finance, health systems and information technology will prepare nurses with a Master of Science Degree in Transformational Leadership in Nursing to practice as visionary leaders thriving in frontline and middle management roles including nurse manager, care manager, Director of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer. This degree is designed to prepare baccalaureate nurses as leaders in today’s healthcare system to advance nursing practice, transform work environments, and safeguard cost effective, quality care within health care organizations. In addition, graduates are prepared for doctoral study, scholarship and to critique and conduct research.

Offered Online Only

This program’s flexible online format creates a platform that facilitates knowledge development that is created from an integration of theoretical content and practice experience conducive with the tenets of adult teaching/learning theory.

The Master of Science in Transformational Nursing program consists of 39 credits of coursework that includes core courses common to all graduate programs; specialty courses with competencies in nursing leadership/administration; and cognate courses that support nursing leadership.  Nine credits of core courses focus on nursing theory, research and health policy, eighteen credits of specialty courses address foundations in leadership of health systems, program planning, legal and regulatory, program planning, grant writing and epidemiological statistics; and twelve credits in cognate courses include human resource management, informatics, finance and evidence-based quality improvement.

A variety of practicum experiences are integrated for a total of 150 practicum hours with nurse leaders as mentors to assure an array of leadership experiences in the practice arenas.

Graduates of this transformational leadership program will be prepared to sit for ANCC’s Nurse Executive Certification Examination which is nationally recognized in the profession.

The program is available in a full online format and accommodates both full-time and part-time students. Full-time students can complete the program in 2 years, and part-time study will take approximately 3.5 years.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the Masters in Transformational Leadership in Nursing program, the graduate learner will:

  1. Integrate sciences, humanities, theories and frameworks to advance nursing science, professional identity, and lifelong learning.
  2. Engage in the spirit of inquiry, scholarship, and best evidence to inform practice decisions.
  3. Guide policy development aligned with professional nursing values to direct improvements and quality outcomes across organizational systems.
  4. Collaborate across inter-professional teams to build professional relationships and influence organizational decisions.
  5. Evaluate models of patient care systems across health care environments to assure evidence-based services and comply with ethical, legal, and regulatory standards.
  6. Formulate business strategies to appraise and manage financial (fiscal?), and human resources utilized within the organizational structure.
  7. Critique policies and procedures that promote evidence-based nursing practice, patient care safety, staff education, and performance improvement.
  8. Exemplify ethical, professional accountability as a leader in personal and professional practice which promotes mentoring and advocacy within the organization.

Program Requirements

  • NUR 500 Theoretical Foundations for Nursing Practice
  • NUR 503 Advanced Leadership and Health Policy
  • NUR 560 Nursing Research Methods
  • HIM 501 Healthcare Informatics
  • HRM 518 Human Resources Management
  • HSM 535 Financial Management for Health Care Organizations
  • HIM 600 Quality Improvement in Healthcare
  • NUR 524 Program Planning and Development
  • NUR 526 Legal and Regulatory Issues in Health Care
  • NUR 609 Nursing Leadership Theory for Innovative Health Care Systems
  • NUR 612 Nursing Leadership Practicum Design
  • NUR 614 Nursing Leadership Practicum
  • NUR 624 Grant Proposal Seminar
  • NUR 655 Biostatistics and Epidemiology

Program Requirement
Upon completion of the courses, students are expected to successfully meet one of the Options for a Comprehensive Applied Learning Project. Contact your advisor for more information.

Clinical/Practicum Experiences
Students must have a clear and unencumbered nursing license in order to participate in clinical or practicum experiences. Failure to report any license sanction or condition will result in automatic course failure and probable dismissal from the nursing program.

All students are expected to perform activities in the leadership role under the guidance of a mentor with the utmost professional, ethical, and caring behaviors. All students, regardless of level, will be expected to adhere to legal and ethical standards as established by regulatory agencies and nursing professional standards across educational and health care organizations. There is a zero tolerance for breaches of ethics or professionalism. Unsafe clinical performance is care that seriously jeopardizes a patient’s well-being, and/or causes potential or actual harm to self or others, including the organization. No student demonstrating unsafe performance will be allowed to continue in practicum settings. Any acts of omission or commission by a student that are deemed unsafe, unethical or unprofessional are grounds for course failure, and probable program dismissal.

Degree Requirements Overview & Program Notes – Transformational Leadership in Nursing

  • All students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to graduate.
  • Students must achieve a minimum final grade of “B” (82%) in each course in the program.
  • Students must receive a minimum grade of ”B” or 82% in all required components (clinical and theory) of a course in order to receive a minimum final grade of “B” or 82% for the course.
  • Students that do not meet the minimum final course grade requirement of “B” (82%) may repeat the course once with a maximum of two (2) repeated required courses while enrolled in the program.
  • Students may transfer up to twelve credit hours, if applicable, from another graduate program.
  • Students must maintain continuous registration, equal to or greater than one credit while completing degree requirements. MS Nursing students can do this by registering for CMT 600 – Continuous Registration. This only applies to students who have an incomplete in their last semester and it can only be applied once.  Students must be registered at SUNY Polytechnic Institute during the term they intend to graduate.


Advanced Certificate in Transformational Leadership in Nursing

Offered Online Only

The Department of Nursing and Health Professions is authorized by the New York State Education Department to offer a post-master’s Advanced Certificate in Transformational Leadership in Nursing. The Program focuses on the specialty courses in leadership of health systems and program planning, and twelve credits in cognate courses including human resource management, informatics, finance and evidence-based quality improvement.

The program concludes with the culminating internship which provides over 150 practicum hours of directed educational experiences as a nurse administrator, with an emphasis on transformational leadership.

Program Requirements
The Advanced Certificate in Nursing with a major in faculty Transformational Leadership in Nursing consists of 18 credit hours distributed as follows:

  • HRM 518 Human Resources Management
  • HSM 535 Financial Management for Health Care Organizations
  • HIM 600 Quality Improvement in Healthcare
  • NUR 524 Program Planning and Development
  • NUR 609 Nursing Leadership Theory for Innovative Health Care Systems
  • NUR 612 Nursing Leadership Practicum Design
  • NUR 614 Nursing Leadership Practicum

Realizing that students in the post-master’s certificate programs will come with a variety of backgrounds and experience. Students will need to meet with an adviser early on to plan an appropriate course of study.

State University of New York (SUNY) policy prohibits SUNY admission applications from inquiring into an applicant’s prior criminal history. After acceptance, the College shall inquire if the student previously has been convicted of a felony if such individual seeks campus housing or participation in clinical or field experiences, internships or study abroad programs. The information required to be disclosed under SUNY policy regarding such felony convictions shall be reviewed by a standing campus committee consistent with the legal standards articulated in New York State Corrections Law.
Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the Vice President for Student Affairs Office at (315) 792-7505.