[NPInfo] MSN in Leadership

[Dena]

The hospital where I work is offering a MSN course to its nurses in
conjunction with the University of San Francisco (a private Catholic
University) in Nursing Leadership. Several of the nurses I work with are
interested in signing up for the program. When I asked them what this degree
prepared them for, other than as a bedside RN with a MSN degree, they kind
of gave me a glazed look and said "leadership". I have looked at the goals
and objectives of this program (can't find an actual description of the
classes in the curriculum listed anywhere) and was wondering if anyone could
tell me how this degree would be used. Case Manager? To me it looks like its
stuff that the majority of nurses should have already learned and currently
do on an every day basis.

 

Here is the description as taken from the school's website:

 

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)

A clinical nurse leader is (CNL) is a masters' prepared nurse generalist who
assumes accountability for the healthcare outcomes of a specific group of
patients within a unit or setting through the assimilation and application
of research-based information to design, implement, and evaluate patient
outcomes at the point of care. The emerging role of the CNL is a national
initiative in response to patient care needs and the current health delivery
environments. The CNL is a provider and a manager of care. S/he designs,
implements, and evaluates care by coordinating , delegating, and supervising
the care provided by the health care team, including licensed nurses,
technicians, and other health professionals.

The CNL program offers two tracks; one for individuals who are registered
nurses and one for those who have a bachelor's degree or higher in a field
other than nursing.

Program Objectives
Upon completion of the program the graduate will be able to:

1.       Design, coordinate and evaluate care to individuals, families,
groups, communities, and populations,; understand the rationale for care and
competently deliver this care to an increasingly complex and diverse
population in multiple environments. 

2.       Provide care at the point of care to individuals across the
lifespan with particular emphasis on health promotion and risk reduction
services. 

3.       Synthesize date, information, and knowledge to evaluate and achieve
optimal client outcomes. 

4.       Ensure that clients, families, and communities are well-informed
and included in care planning and is an informed leader for improving care. 

5.       Advocate for the client by taking action if decisions or activities
are against the wished or interests of the client; give the client the
opportunity to make informed decisions about health care before it is
provided. Serve as an advocate for the profession and the interdisciplinary
health care team. 

6.       Use appropriate teaching principles and strategies as well as
current information, materials, and technologies to teach clients, groups,
and other health care professionals under their supervision. 

7.       Use information systems and technology that put knowledge at the
point of care to improve health care outcomes. 

8.       Participate in systems review to improve quality of client care
delivery and at the individual level to critically evaluate and anticipate
risks to client safety with the aim of preventing medical error. 

9.       Delegate and manage the nursing team resources (human and fiscal)
and serve as a leader and partner in the interdisciplinary health care team.


10.    Assume accountability for the ongoing acquisition of knowledge and
skills to effect change in health care practice and outcomes and in the
profession.