University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Online Nurse Executive & Nurse Educator Programs
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers a master of science in nursing (MSN) with nurse executive and nurse educator role specialties. USAHS also offers a bachelor of science in nursing to doctor of nursing practice (BSN to DNP) in the nurse executive specialization. The coursework is fully online with optional campus immersions and local practicums.
USAHS offers several acceleration options to complete degrees more quickly. These may include stacking up to three courses per trimester, completing self-paced competency-based courses, and attending optional on-campus immersions to complete coursework quickly. Additionally, students may transfer credits and earn academic credit for professional experience.
The MSN and BSN-to-DNP programs begin six times per year in September, January, and May, with three midterm starts available. Online coursework may include both asynchronous and optional synchronous components.
Nurse executives work with patient care delivery by designing and managing healthcare systems, leading teams of nurses, assessing clinical processes, and collaborating with other healthcare leaders and providers. Advantageous skill sets include critical thinking, strategic planning, excellent interpersonal communication, effective use of technology, and evidence-based, ethical decision-making. Nurse executives may secure positions as clinical nurse leaders, chief nursing officers, directors of nursing, healthcare administrators, or executive nursing directors.
Graduates of the MSN and BSN-to-DNP nurse executive programs are eligible to take the Nurse Executive, Advanced (NEA-BC) certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). A Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) exam is available for nurse executive graduates through the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL).
Nurse educators learn how to design, update, and improve curricula and how effectively deliver information to students. They may go on to positions in nursing education with higher learning facilities or in healthcare settings where nurses are trained to work with doctors and other healthcare staff. Work settings may include colleges and universities, nursing institutions, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and government organizations. The MSN nurse educator program graduates may take the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam through the National League for Nursing (NLN) or the Nursing Professional Development (RN-BC) exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The nurse executive and nurse educator programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). USAHS is located in Raleigh, North Carolina.
What to Expect from the USAHS Online Nurse Executive & Nurse Educator Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the online MSN programs must have earned a BSN with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. Those applying to the BSN-to-DNP nurse executive program must hold a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Prospective students must have at least one year of full-time registered nurse work experience before starting clinical work.
Application materials include evidence of an unencumbered RN license in an approved state of study, official transcripts, a professional resume or CV, an essay outlining nursing career goals, and two professional references from a nurse educator, immediate supervisor, or preceptor. A criminal background check and drug screen must also be completed. An interview may be requested and proof of English language proficiency if necessary. No GRE is required for admission.
Study Plan: Start dates for the nurse executive and nurse educator programs land in September, January, and May, with three midterm entry dates. The MSN programs are designed to be completed in six trimesters or two years.
The BSN-to-DNP nurse executive program can be completed in 12 trimesters or four years. Accelerated options are available as outlined above. Optional campus intensives are offered to accelerate course completion, gain hands-on practice, and meet fellow students and faculty. Coursework is online and nursing students complete 225 clinical contact hours locally.
MSN Curriculum: The MSN nurse executive and nurse educator programs comprise 36 credits and include 225 clinical hours. Core courses for both specializations include interprofessional education and collaborative practice; organizational leadership and policy in healthcare; evidence-based practice for healthcare professionals; interprofessional approaches to regional and global population health; theoretical and scientific underpinning for nursing practice; and healthcare informatics and technology management.
Nurse Executive Specialty Courses: Foundations of healthcare administration; human resources management and organizational development and healthcare; strategic planning and healthcare administration; role practicum I-II; accounting, finance, and economics for the healthcare leader
Nurse Educator Specialty Courses: Pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology for nurses educators; foundational theories and education; program and curricular design for health sciences education; MSN role practicum I-II; teaching methods in higher education
BSN-to-DNP Curriculum: The BSN-to-DNP program comprises 64 credits and requires the completion of 1,000 clinical hours. Nursing courses follow those listed for the MSN and nurse executive specialty courses.
DNP courses include program/project planning and management for evidence-based practice and policy change; DNP indirect care role practicum I-II; data-driven evaluation and clinical analytics for outcomes improvement; legal and regulatory issues; operations and quality management in healthcare; and DNP practicum I-III.
Online Experience: The USAHS School of Nursing includes optional synchronous sessions and asynchronous course delivery. Courses are delivered through Blackboard and may include readings, lectures, virtual live sessions, assignments, projects, and assessments. Faculty and peers may interact through synchronous sessions, discussion boards, online chat, email, and faculty office hours.
Graduate nursing students can access student success advisors, academic advising, clinical placement services, career support, technical help, library, and other virtual services.
On-Site Requirements: Optional immersions are offered at the San Marcos, CA campus. All other coursework is delivered online, while clinical practicums are completed locally in approved states.
Paying for the University of St. Augustine Online MSN and BSN-to-DNP Programs
The online MSN and BSN-to-DNP tuition numbers are listed in the tables below, and do not include additional fees. There may be additional costs for optional campus visits. Interested nurses should contact the USAHS School of Nursing for cost clarifications and updates.
USAHS graduate nursing students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal student loans by applying through the FAFSA. Other funding options may include private loans, employer tuition reimbursement programs, tuition discounts, and community and organizational scholarships and grants.
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences MSN - Nurse Executive
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 6 Start Dates - September, January, May + midterm starts |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 2 years. Acceleration options are available. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus role practicums |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of full-time RN work experience before the start of clinicals |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $701.16 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $25,236.00 |
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences MSN - Nurse Educator
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 6 Start Dates - September, January, May + midterm starts |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 2 years. Acceleration options are available. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus role practicums |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of full-time RN work experience before the start of clinicals |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $715.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $25,740.00 |
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences BSN to DNP - Nurse Executive
| Degree Level | Doctoral Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 6 Start Dates - September, January, May + midterm starts |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 64 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 3 years and four months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus role practicums and DNP hours |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Masters degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of full-time RN work experience before the start of clinicals |
| Credit Hours | 64 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $1,032.62 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $66,048.00 |
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified. Please check here for any tuition updates.
