University of Hawai'i at Manoa - School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The Nursing Executive Leadership program develops and builds competencies for nurses to successfully lead complex integrated healthcare delivery systems. The executive cohort format is tailored for the working professional.  Community based healthcare leaders, from diverse settings, partner with academic faculty to build competencies based on current issues in healthcare enabling Registered Nurses to lead improvements in patient safety and quality of care to ensure clinical and financial outcomes are met. The program begins with a three-day face-to-face orientation followed by a combination of monthly face to face intensive class sessions and weekly distance sessions, resulting in active progression and completion of  Master of Science degree requirements in 18 months.

Fact Facts

• Designed for working professionals with classes held monthly on Friday afternoons and Saturdays
• Classes enhanced by weekly on-line sessions, discussions, and forums
• Expert local and national nursing and healthcare leaders co-teach with UH faculty
• 18-month program (36 credits)
• Specialized practicum experiences and clinical mentorship to meet individual career goals
• Admission limited to 20 students to ensure individualized experiences

Program Outcomes

The program is competency based and prepares the student with knowledge, skills, and competencies in the following areas:

• Leadership Development
• Patient Safety and Quality
• Management of Human Resources
• Leadership for the Healthcare Continuum
• Health Policy and Health Disparities
• Economics and Finance
• Healthcare Delivery Models
• Advanced Practice Nursing Roles

The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) is the national organization of nurses who design, facilitate and manage care.  AONE competencies are integrated throughout the curriculum including communication and relationship management; leadership; professionalism; knowledge of the healthcare environment; and business skills and principles. The curriculum incorporates standards and guidelines from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), American Nurses’ Association (ANA), and AONE assuring that graduates are eligible for certification when experience requirements are met.

Curriculum: Nursing Executive Leadership

The core curriculum (12 credits) includes Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Health Policy, Nursing Research and Theory, and Advanced Nursing Roles.  Executive Leadership courses (18 credits) include Human Resource Management, Management and Leadership in Healthcare Organizations, Analysis of Healthcare Delivery Models, Best Practices in Healthcare Management, and Clinical Economics and Finance (two courses). Two executive practicum courses (6 credits) with nursing leaders as clinical mentors provide leadership experience in healthcare organizations and the opportunity to learn from experienced nursing and healthcare leaders.

The Nursing Executive Leadership specialty program consists of 36 credits delivered in an executive hybrid cohort model format over 18 months.  Classes meet monthly on UH Manoa campus on Friday afternoon and Saturdays.  Additional course work and class discussions are conducted through weekly forums via distance technology.

Orientation:  16-18 August 2012 (Orientation dates: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are Mandatory.

Fall: August 20-December 8, 2012

• Nursing Research and Theory NURS 620 (3 cr)
• Health Policy NURS 609 (3 cr)
• Advanced Nursing Roles NURS 625 (3 cr)
• Management and Leadership in Healthcare Organizations NURS 662 (3 cr)

Spring: January 7-May 10, 2013

• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention NURS 605 (3 cr)
• Clinical Economics and Finance NURS 665 (3 cr)
• Human Resources Management NURS 661 (3 cr)
• Analysis of Healthcare Delivery Models NURS 663 (3 cr)

Summer: May 28-August 15, 2013

• Seminar and Practicum in Nursing Leadership NURS 664 (3 cr)

Fall: August 26-December 14, 2013

• Best Practices in Healthcare Management NURS 774 (3 cr)
• Advanced Clinical Economics and Finance NURS 768 (3 cr)
• Advanced Practicum in Nursing Executive Leadership NURS 775 (3 cr)

Total Credits: 36