Nursing: Leadership in Health Care Systems

Master of Science in Nursing

Guide the future of health care.

The modern health care system is complex. It requires effective leaders that can impact quality patient care, direct programs and develop innovative strategies to improve health care systems. If you’re looking for a leadership path that can put you on the course to director-level roles and beyond, then an M.S. in Nursing Leadership might be right for you.

At Regis, you’ll explore evidence-based research, teaching and learning strategies in health care, participate in a hands-on practicum and learn to lead with service learning experiences.

Looking to specialize in education, business, quality and patient safety or health care informatics? Four optional certificate programs allow you to choose an area of focus you’re passionate about to complement your degree.

Ranked #3: Top 25 Online Nursing Educator MSN Programs for 2021 by NursingSchoolHub.com
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Program Snapshot

Program Format
Flexible online format
8-week terms

Credits for Completion
30-48 credit hours

Tuition for the 23-24 Academic Year
$785 per credit hour

See cost of attendance

View Full Degree Curriculum and Requirements

Sample Nursing Leadership Classes

healthcare students with book icon on top of image

HCE 604: Ethics for Nurse Leaders

Ethical issues are examined with emphasis on advanced practice nursing, leadership roles and models of health care delivery, introducing skills in analyzing ethical dilemmas and evaluating ethical practice using ethical theory, moral argument and case studies.

healthcare students with book icon on top of image

NR 608: Health Care Policy and Issues in Practice

Public health care policy will be examined with emphasis on its relationship and application to advanced practice nursing, leadership roles in management and education, models of health care delivery and advocacy as part of service learning.

healthcare students with book icon on top of image

NR 620: Health Care Organizations and Systems

Assume a leadership role in evaluating models of health care delivery and organizational systems using theory and research. Quality improvement principles with a focus on patient safety and regulatory requirements are explored in a variety of health care settings.

Nursing Leadership Career Paths

Nursing Manager

Nursing managers often manage a team of nurses, oversee patient care, make personnel decisions, set work schedules and ensure the nursing staff are working as a cohesive team.


Nursing Director

Nursing directors are responsible for the management of nursing staff and patient care in a variety of health care facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes.


Clinical Services Director

Clinical services directors provide leadership and guidance in health care settings, overseeing all medical staff and recruiting and training new staff members.


Chief Nursing Officer

Chief nursing officers are responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a nursing department at a health care facility, and are expected to review and implement new nursing and patient care strategies.


Clinical Nursing Instructor

Clinical nursing instructors may supervise all clinical activities and work with nursing students within educational environments and health care facilities.


Clinical Operations Manager

Clinical operations managers manage the daily clinical operations of health care facilities from staff schedules to resource allocation and clinical rotation assignments.


students talking in front of main hall

Optional Certificate Programs

In addition to the core curriculum, you also have the option to choose from four certificate options to complement your degree and focus your education in one of the following areas:

| Health Care Education
| Health Care Business Management
| Health Care Quality and Patient Safety
| Health Care Informatics

Certificates require the completion of an additional 12 credit hours.

How to Apply

To apply directly to the M.S. in Nursing: Leadership in Health Care Systems program, you will need:

  • Completed online application
  • Official degree-bearing transcript(s) from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Resume

Eligibility:

  • Nursing bachelor's degree from an NLN or AACN-CCNE accredited program
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher, with a grade of "C" or better in all nursing courses
  • Completion of a statistics course with a grade of C or better (must be taken prior to NR 602)
  • Active RN license

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year: $785 per credit hour
Total program credits: 30 credit hours
Tuition is one part of the overall cost of attendance, which includes all expenses students may have, including basic living costs. For more information about tuition, fees and your estimated cost of attendance, visit our Cost of Attendance for Adult Undergraduates and Graduate Students page. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Additional fees may include a background check and drug screen costs, application fees and clinical fees, among others.

Regis offers a variety of scholarships, grants and other programs to help you pay for school. Visit Financial Aid for more information.

Rolling Admission

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. It is recommended that you apply to this program at least 4 weeks prior to your desired start date. Program starts for the blended flexible format are offered in January and August.

A Culture of Excellence

The Master of Science Nursing: Leadership in Health Care Systems is offered by the historic Loretto Heights School of Nursing within the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions.