Health Systems Management
The Health Systems Management Track prepares nurses at the MSN-level to manage the delivery of nursing and health services across multiple settings and specialty areas. A major objective is to provide a unique educational experience to individuals capable of leadership and innovation in a dynamic health care delivery system.
Graduates are prepared to assume leadership positions in a variety of health care settings, including public and private sector hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, and long-term care facilities.
Distance Education option: The MSN in Health Systems Management is offered in an online, web-based format. In this option, students enroll in 2-4 courses per term and complete most of the course requirements via the internet. Classes meet 'live' at the University twice per term (first and last days). Active-duty military nurses and theor dependents are exempt from the requirement to attend classes in Charlottesville those two sessions per term, and may access these class meetings via a web-camera.
The curriculum builds on both the theoretical knowledge and clinical experience of the bachelor's prepared nurse. Students are exposed to content fundamental to management, and develop competencies needed to analyze managerial problems and provide resourceful solutions. Special opportunities are provided for students to acquire the breadth of management knowledge and skills needed to perform effectively at the business and clinical interface of health care delivery organizations.
Full-time students can complete the MSN in Health Systems Management in as little as 15 months. Part-time students complete the program in approximately 24-32 months.
Graduates seek employment as nursing and health care managers, as well as positions in quality improvement, information systems, and policy.
Program Coordinator: Kathleen Cox, PhD, RN (434) 924-0011, email: kbc2v@virginia.edu.
Clinicals
Students complete a total of 336 hours of administrative practicum near the completion of the program. The two clinical courses are GNUR 782 (Administrative Practicum I, spring semester) and GNUR 784 (Administrative Practicum II, summer session).
Students develop their own clinical goals with the HSM faculty. Some students select to do both practica at one site; others seek two different experiences.
Certification
Students completing this track will have completed course work necessary for Certification in Nursing Administration, Advanced or Certification in Nursing Administration. The practice requirements for this Certification are met through paid employment as a nurse manager or nurse executive for 24 months of the last five years. Thus graduates will need to obtain this experience after earning the MSN degree.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and based on evaluation of all portions of the application. To be considered for the Master's of Science in Nursing, applicants must submit a completed application and:
- Have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school.
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study.
- Hold an unencumbered RN license in the state where you intend to complete your practica.
- Demonstrate satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination.
- Submit clear written statements on educational and professional goals, as well as on diversity.
- Submit three satisfactory academic and professional recommendations. One of these letters should be from an APN.
- Submit a copy of your resume or C.V.
- Have completed an undergraduate or graduate statistics course within the past 5 years.
- Be available for an interview if requested.
Note: New BSN graduates may apply for any of the MSN specialty tracks. If you are a new nurse and applying for an Advanced Practice specialty track (NP or CNS), you should apply as a part-time student. You need at least one year of relevant post-BSN clinical nursing experience before enrolling in GNUR 550 (Advanced Pharmacology) and GNUR 551 (Advanced Health Assessment).
Application deadline:
Fall or Summer entry: April 1
Spring entry: November 1
All applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. The School of Nursing accepts GRE scores that are more than 5 years old. If you have your 'older' scores, you may submit a copy of the Student Report. Students who have already completed a graduate degree do not need to submit GRE scores. The Institutional Code for the University of Virginia is
R-5820. Because of some recent problems with receiving the ETS score reports, you may be asked to mail/fax a copy of your Student Score Report.
International applicants are required also to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. Visit their websites for more information. The University of Virginia institutional code number is R-5820, nursing #0610.
Downloads, Program of Study, and Links
For More Information
For additional information on admission to and programs of study at the UVa School of Nursing, please fill our our online form. You are also welcome to call the Office of Addmissions at (434) 924-0141 / (888) 283-8703.
Questions on admissions and financial aid should be directed to Clay Hysell, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services, email hysell@virginia.edu