Nursing and Healthcare Systems Administration

Faculty Coordinator:

Joanne Disch, PhD, RN, FAAN

Specialty Area Information:

Nursing leadership in complex health care systems requires application of community and organization analysis and planning skills as well as collaboration in the creation of programs for multidisciplinary delivery of services. The nursing and health systems administration area of study prepares nurses for both traditional and emerging leadership roles. Coursework integrates theories of nursing, organization, interpersonal behavior, human resources, and financial management.

At the completion of the program students will be able to create, design, implement and evaluate health care services based on knowledge of health, nursing, management, social policy, and evolving health care systems.

Graduates may assume a wide variety of leadership positions - a few examples are nurse manager, clinical director, operations or professional practice administrator, program coordinator, case manager, care coordinator, nurse executive, patient services administrator, education director, quality improvement manager/coordinator, etc.

Field Experience

The program includes a practicum with a qualified nurse administrator in the area of the student's choice. The required practicum hours are 8 hours per week or 30 hours per semester. Students' placements continue over two semesters, making it a very substantive experience. Clinical locations include any type of health care setting where nursing services are provided - a few examples are acute care, long term care, out-patient, rehabilitation, business settings, insurance companies, health systems, home care, public health, etc.

The specialty area does not specifically prepare for certification, although actively practicing managers and administrators would have the knowledge base to take the Administration Certification Examination from the American Nurses' Credentialing Center.

Coursework

Students individually design coursework to facilitate the integration of concepts from nursing and management. The program includes:

• Care Systems and Models
• Clinical Decision Support Theory & Application
• Communication in Human Organizations
• Continuous Quality Improvement: Methods & Techniques
• DNP Proseminar
• DNP Seminar 1, 2 & 3
• Economics of Health Care
• Epidemiology
• Evidence Based practice
• Executive Leadership Seminar & Practicums 1, 2, 3, & 4
• Generative Leadership
• Health Care Financial & Resource Management
• Health Policy Leadership
• Interdisciplinary Healthcare Informatics
• Moral & Ethical Positions in Nursing
• Nursing Research
• Optimal Healing Environments
• Program Evaluation
• Relationship-Based Management
• Science of Nursing Intervention
• Statistics
• Teaching & Learning in Nursing

Students have the option of taking courses offered by the Carlson School of Management, the School of Public Health, and the Speech and Communication department and as well as other University departments and colleges.

Faculty

Professor Helen Hansen is the coordinator of the Administration area of study. Dr. Hansen has over 15 years experience in nursing and health care administration at the senior management level and in health care consultation. She has expertise in the design of health care services, training of nurse managers, development of work groups, collaboration, systems analysis and quality of work life issues. Her research includes organizational change, staff nurse retention, leadership and management, and collegiality in staff nurse work groups. Other faculty in the University of Minnesota School of Nursing offer courses in health care politics, decision making, and other topics which complement the knowledge and skills needed for nursing administration practice.

See the School of Nursing Faculty pages for more information about our faculty members.

For more information, please contact the Office of Student & Career Advancement Services.