Courses to Prepare You for Your Career – Dr. Kimberly Gibbons, Clinical Faculty, Graduate Nursing “Improvement of the healthcare system in our country relies on educated and experienced nurses who work to ensure the quality and safety of all involved in that system.” The Online MSN in Healthcare Safety and Quality is designed to help you build the skills you need to advocate for a culture of safety.
- Role Development and the Transformation of the MSN Nurse
- Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare
- Epidemiological and Biostatistical Applications in Healthcare
- Global Health & Diversity
- Evidence-Based Practice & Scholarly Inquiry
Upon completing your core, you’ll take the following Healthcare Quality and Safety-specific courses:
- Healthcare Quality & Improvement. This interprofessional course will take you through the process of healthcare delivery from a quality and safety lens. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how quality is measured, tracked and improved in healthcare. You’ll focus on organizational assessments, commonly used tools and the application of analytical frameworks to identify the root cause of an event. You’ll then gain knowledge of healthcare data relevance, use of change management principles and tools and evaluation methods.
- Health Policy and Law. Examine the ways that stakeholders and interest groups can influence health law and policies. You’ll explore ways to articulate the needs of individuals, communities and vulnerable populations based on cultural, socioeconomic and political factors to key decision-makers. You’ll then explore concepts and principles of public health, health law, health policy, finance and risk management in healthcare, and gain knowledge regarding health law and policy to inform decision-making.
- Healthcare Finance and Reimbursement. Explore healthcare reimbursement systems and financial principles relevant to strategic planning for healthcare organizations. Topics explored include revenue cycle management, governmental and non-governmental payment methodologies and financial accounting principles. You’ll gain knowledge of reimbursement methods and models, regulatory compliance requirements and collaborative teamwork principles related to revenue cycle management.
- Program Design, Planning and Evaluation. Investigate program planning, design and evaluation. Topics include needs assessment, cultural competency, ethics and data analytics. You’ll use project, financial and resource management skills to achieve the outcomes of the proposed program. You’ll gain an understanding of how community needs assessments and resource allocation are used in program proposals. You’ll also apply leadership skills that facilitate the program planning process.
- Healthcare Safety, Just Culture, and Regulation. Explore the impact of regulatory and accreditation standards on organizational compliance and liability. Topics include accreditation and regulatory standards, compliance and advocating for a culture of safety. You’ll discover how to lead change by developing person-centered solutions that mitigate risks and promote quality and safety.
The MSN in Healthcare Safety and Quality track integrates hands-on learning throughout. “You’ll participate in simulated and clinical experiences as you complete course work,” said Debra Sowell, clinical faculty member of graduate nursing programs at SNHU.
Clinical practice experience (CPE): Clinical practice hours are incorporated into all graduate nursing programs accredited by CCNE. SNHU incorporates these authentic learning experiences into your MSN program through indirect and direct clinical experiences. You’ll be able to achieve these CPE hours through coursework and assignments and time spent with a mentor or preceptor, depending on your program choice. Please connect with our Student Experience team to learn more about clinical practice experiences by track.
Students enrolled in the MSN program must comply with requirements of the organizations where their clinical practice experiences/practicum will be completed. These requirements may include (but are not limited to) a criminal background check, active and unencumbered license verification, immunization records, professional liability insurance.
- Students may incur additional costs to meet organizational requirements (ex.
- Drug screening, physical examination co-pay, etc.).
- These requirements must be met prior to registering for the clinical practice experience course.
- It is a requirement that nursing students carry their own medical malpractice insurance while enrolled in practicum courses.
At least two terms prior to the start of the clinical components, students will be required to demonstrate proof of having an active individual medical malpractice certificate. Looking to gain professional healthcare experience, even before you graduate? Do it with HEaRT.
| Courses May Include | |
|---|---|
| MSN in Healthcare Quality and Safety | |
| IHP 501 | Global Health and Diversity |
| IHP 604 | Healthcare Quality and Improvement |
| IHP 610 | Health Policy and Law |
| IHP 630 | Healthcare Finance and Reimbursement |
| IHP 670 | Program Design, Planning and Evaluation |
| Total Credits: 36 |
Students enrolled in the MSN program courses are responsible for ensuring they have the minimum system hardware, software and equipment. In addition to meeting the SNHU Technology requirements, this track does have Minimum Technology Requirements as follows:
- 10Mbps or higher for ideal streaming (download)
- Ability to record (webcam and microphone are often built into laptop or computer)
- A laptop is recommended
| Component Type | PC (Windows OS) | Apple (Mac OS) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. | Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
| Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher | 8GB or higher |
| Hard Drive | 100GB or higher | 100GB or higher |
| Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
| SNHU Purchase Programs | ||
| Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency |
Notes:
Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.
Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft’s discretion. Review system requirements for for business, education and government.
Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
At Southern New Hampshire University, we’re committed to your success — even beyond graduation. That’s why we’re committed to delivering accredited continuing education for nurses and healthcare professionals. From one-hour webinars to multi-day conferences and more, these opportunities are built to help you continue to meet the needs of communities across the globe.
- Visit our SNHU to learn more.
- Southern New Hampshire University is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation.
- Tuition rates for SNHU’s online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation.
We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
| Online Graduate Programs | Per Course | Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Degree/Certificates | $1,881 | $627 |
| Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)* | $1,410 | $470 |
Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually. *Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts. Additional Costs: $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course) Students enrolled in the MSN program may be subject to ongoing licensure checks through a third party vendor, additional fees will apply and may vary by state.
MSN stands for Master of Science in Nursing. An MSN is a graduate-level degree designed to help prepare registered nurses for success in an advanced healthcare role. Healthcare quality and safety is a discipline within nursing that focuses on improving care outcomes through process, policy, practice and culture on both a macro and micro level.
At SNHU, you can earn your online MSN in Healthcare Safety and Quality, or pursue one of our other online MSN tracks: nursing executive leadership, population healthcare, nursing education or family nurse practitioner. Nurses are one of many healthcare professionals that play a role in healthcare safety and quality.
Patient safety is not one single person’s responsibility – it’s a systematic issue that requires effective leadership, teamwork and communication. As a nurse with an online MSN Healthcare Quality and Safety, you can gain the skills you need to lead teams as they implement better patient care processes.
Armed with these skills, you can help make healthcare settings safer in a number of ways – such as preventing infection rates, establishing checks and balances to mitigate mistakes, and facilitating communication between staff, patients and their families.
This depends on your chosen track. MSN tracks can help prepare you for roles in leadership, administration, population health, nursing education, nurse practitioner and more. If you are interested in becoming an NP, SNHU does offer a family nurse practitioner track. This track aligns with nurse practitioner competencies and can help prepare you for nationally recognized nurse practitioner exams.
After successfully passing an NP exam, you can then apply to your state board of nursing to become a practicing NP. Healthcare quality and safety are very closely tied together. According to the National Academy of Medicine, patient safety is “indistinguishable from the delivery of quality health care.” 6 Together, healthcare quality and safety are designed to reach desired outcomes, prevent error, learn from errors when they do occur and build a culture that prioritizes the well-being of all patients, professionals and organizations.
The obvious answer is that better safety and quality measures lead to better care. Beyond that, the numbers indicating adverse harm in healthcare settings are staggering. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) specifically noted that, in high-income countries, 1 in 10 patients is harmed while receiving hospital care.2 This harm is reportedly caused by a range of adverse events, and nearly 50% of these cases are considered preventable.2 Consider, too, that this data predated the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recent world events have further exposed the vulnerabilities of systems within healthcare – from staffing to supply chain to a host of other complex needs. In its 2021 report, “The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity,” the National Academy of Medicine points out some of the issues that have come to light: “In the current health care system, care is often disjointed, with processes varying between primary and specialty care and between traditional and emerging care sites,” the report notes.4 “People may not understand the processes of the health care system, such as where they will receive care, how to make appointments, or the various providers with whom they may come into contact.” 4 Because of this, today’s nurses need to be well-versed in the art of “care management” – a cornerstone of healthcare safety and quality that can help deliver superior outcomes for the patients that need it most.1 The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Southern New Hampshire University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791.2 World Health Organization, 10 facts on patient safety, on the internet, at https://www.who.int/news-room/photo-story/photo-story-detail/10-facts-on-patient-safety (viewed June 1, 2021) 3 U.S.
News & World Report, What Does Covid-19 Mean for the Future of Health Care?, on the internet, at https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-11-16/what-does-covid-19-mean-for-the-future-of-health-care (viewed June 1, 2021).4 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.2021.
The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity, Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25982. (viewed June 1, 2021) 5 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm (viewed Nov.1, 2022)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm (viewed April 12, 2023)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.6 National Center for Biotechnology Information, Defining Patient Safety & Quality Care, on the internet, at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2681/ (viewed June 1, 2021) SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification.
What does MSN mean in medical terms?
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing. MS – Master of Science. NP – Nurse Practitioner. PA – Physician Assistant. PhD – Doctor of Philosophy.
What does MSN mean in profession?
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is an important milestone for professionals seeking to advance their nursing careers. One of the advantages of obtaining an MSN degree is that it enables registered nurses (RNs) to assume higher-level, more specialized roles with greater independence.
What does MSN mean in salary?
The starting Master of Science Nursing salary is around $70,000 and with a few years of experience, that figure can quickly climb to over $110,000. The average annual MSN salary in the nation is around $114,000.
What is MSN vs NP?
MSN vs. FNP Curriculum Topics – To begin understanding the real difference between the MSN vs. FNP, you must understand what each program entails. An MSN degree is the standard master’s level nursing award, designed for those looking to enhance their nursing careers.
- An FNP program is more specialized in nature, in that it prepares nurses to become nurse practitioners and work in primary care settings.
- Both MSN and FNP curriculums include classes in advanced nursing practice.
- These topics include pharmacology, pathophysiology, as well as physical assessments, and nursing research.
However, the curriculum of these two degrees does vary. In an FNP curriculum, you should expect more focused courses in how to provide advanced clinical care to families. At Goodwin University, the FNP program curriculum includes classes that focus on every part of the human lifespan.
These classes are broken up into three separate courses that teach about primary care for adults, pediatric and women’s health, and even complex clients. This allows nurses to gain the knowledge needed to work in family practice effectively. The MSN curriculum offered at Goodwin University, meanwhile, offers a more wide-ranging curriculum than the FNP.
These MSN courses focus more on general leadership topics as well as population health as it relates to nursing. Students learn how to lead nursing departments, communicate with larger medical teams, create policies, plan budgets, manage resources, and advocate for a higher quality healthcare system.
What is higher than MSN?
6. Doctor of Nursing Practice – Position description : Like the MSN, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is not a role but a degree, and doctoral-level preparation can be considered as the next level of nursing above the MSN. DNP programs are for those who want to reach one of the highest levels of nursing, along with the PhD.
DNPs have a doctoral-level knowledge of healthcare policy, nursing practice, health information systems, and organizational leadership. Attending a DNP program is best for experienced nurses who enjoy creative problem-solving and turning strategy into practice. Requirements : You can apply for a DNP nursing program with either a BSN or an MSN.
The BSN-entry nursing student will have a longer plan of study. Two common DNP role specialties are Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Nurse Executive. Similar to MSN programs, a DNP typically requires you to have worked at least one year as an RN or APRN.
If you are an RN, you will likely need to have a BSN rather than an ASN degree. USAHS’ DNP curriculum consists of 42–71 credits and 540–1035 practicum hours, depending on which degree you enter with and which role specialty you choose. APRN median annual salary (2019) : $55.67/hour, $115,800/year Projected employment growth (2019–2029) : Much faster than average (45% increase) with 117,700 expected job openings.
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What is the abbreviation for health?
When to Use This Abbreviation – This abbreviation is uncommon outside of the medical/health professions. You might abbreviate the word health to h. on a medical chart or medical transcription, in the hospital or medical industries, newspaper headlines and columns, or where space is a concern.
What does MSN UK stand for?
Merchant shipping notices (MSNs) – GOV.UK.
What is MSN qualification?
What is an MSN degree? – MSN means Master of Science in Nursing. This type of degree allows Registered Nurses (RNs) or BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) graduates to advance their careers. MSN programmes help students to specialise in various areas and further develop their knowledge and skills through intense practice and theoretical classes.
Is MSN the same as RN?
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Role Overview. An MSN is different from an RN and a BSN in its emphasis on advanced education to work in healthcare leadership roles.
What does a MSN offer?
MSN Degree Programs – MSN degree programs offer the next level of training to practicing nurses who have attained state licensure as RNs through the completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) program, or a hospital-based nursing diploma program.
- There are also direct-entry MSN programs designed for students who hold non-nursing bachelor’s degrees and who are not RNs.
- Students in direct-entry programs receive training to become an RN prior to beginning the MSN curriculum.
- MSN programs furnish students with advanced knowledge and proficiencies in clinical and managerial areas of nursing in preparation for careers in nursing administration, nursing education, and various advanced practice specializations.
While an MSN degree is not a formal requirement for nurse administrators and nurse educators, master’s-level training is often necessary to move forward in those fields. In areas of clinical specialization, an MSN degree or a master’s-level graduate certificate is generally a requirement for the licensing and credentials necessary to practice.
Is a MSN automatically a nurse practitioner?
MSN vs. NP Career Outcomes & Responsibilities: – Is earning an MSN the same as an NP? Not exactly. The biggest and most important difference to consider when examining the MSN vs. NP – is all about potential career outcomes. As described above, MSN degree programs often prepare students for administrative careers in nursing, such as Nurse Administrator, Nurse Executive, or Clinical Nurse Leader.
These jobs require strong leadership and managerial skills, as well as healthcare policy and business skills so that nurses can effectively oversee patient care and the organization’s costs and resources. MSN degree holders are not necessarily NPs. Many MSN graduates may wish to sit for a certified nurse practitioner exam.
However, other MSN earners may wish to pursue the administrative angle of a nursing career. With an MSN degree, you can qualify for work in a variety of different settings, including hospitals, private practices, laboratories, and long-term care facilities.
- Completing Goodwin University’s MSN program also gives students an edge with advanced knowledge of population health concepts including how social justice and health care intersect, and how advocacy can be leveraged to promote equity in health care access.
- Additional population-health-focused MSN job opportunities abound! On the other hand, a Nurse Practitioner is mainly responsible for providing expanded, and often complex, clinical care.
That is the scope of an NP’s work, though there are many specializations they can pursue (pediatrics, geriatrics, women’s health, and more). They provide direct patient care, but have a greater scope of work and more autonomy in their role than a typical registered nurse.
- Nurse Practitioners can make decisions for their patients, including prescribing treatments, ordering tests, and diagnosing patients, which registered nurses cannot.
- As a result, NP degree programs focus on teaching students how to perform specific tasks that RNs are not licensed to perform.
- Some of these advanced tasks can include advanced physical assessments, diagnosing and treating illnesses and infections, ordering and analyzing diagnostic tests, and writing prescriptions.
Nurse Practitioners are a type of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), and often are considered an extension of a Physician or Physician Assistant in a specialized area. Depending on their years of experience, APRNs may practice independently. For example, many Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) work as primary care providers for individuals and families.
How is MSN different from BSN?
Differences Between a BSN and MSN – Individuals considering earning either a BSN or MSN should consider their personal long-term career goals. The primary difference between the degrees is that an MSN provides nurses with more career options and opportunities to increase their annual salaries.
- While a BSN program teaches nurses how to provide quality patient care, registered nurses do not serve as primary care providers for patients.
- On the other hand, an MSN degree program equips nurses with the fundamental knowledge they need to provide effective care as potential primary care providers.
It may benefit a nursing student to begin an educational journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in the field and beginning their career as a registered nurse. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing: “The four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree provides the educational and experiential base not only for entry-level professional practice but also as the platform on which to build a career through graduate-level study.” Nurses with a BSN can gain hands-on experience in the field before returning to school for their MSN degree.
What is the lowest level of nursing?
Nursing credential: CNA –
What does CNA stand for? CNA stands for Certified Nursing Assistant. Education or training need : High school diploma plus nursing assistant training.2018 Median annual salary: $28,530.1
As the name suggests, CNAs assist nurses with patient admittance and vitals. It is the lowest-level credential related to the nursing field and the quickest point of entry. That said, it’s important to remember that CNAs are not technically nurses. CNAs are required to pass a specialized exam that is tied to a single course in order to work in the field.
A CNA provides basic care duties under the direction of the nursing staff, including feeding, dressing, bathing and transporting patients. TIP: Becoming a nursing assistant is a great option for individuals who are considering a career in nursing, but aren’t quite convinced it’s the right path for them.
Nursing assistant training can typically be completed in a matter of weeks, meaning you can get a taste of the healthcare field with minimal time investment.
What does man mean in medical terms?
(ˈmɛdɪkəl mæn ) a doctor of medicine. The medical men consulted together.
What does MN mean in texting?
Verb. mn. (Internet slang, text messaging) Abbreviation of mean.
What does RN mean in medical terms?
Registered Nurse (RN) – An individual who has graduated from a state-approved school of nursing, passed the NCLEX-RN Examination and is licensed by a state board of nursing to provide patient care.