Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leader Track
Why pursue a Master of Science in Nursing from North Central College?
North Central College offers an innovative, interprofessional approach to fostering the next generation of healthcare leaders who embrace diversity, promote health equity, and improve population health outcomes.
The Nurse Executive Leader track is part of North Central’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program and is designed to help nurses advance their careers. The core principles of the program equip students with the skills and foundation necessary for lifelong learning, personal responsibility, and sustained achievement in the nursing profession. The Nurse Executive Leader track specifically prepares nurses to manage patient services and healthcare systems, and make ethical and professional decisions that align with the healthcare organization.
Launch your degree in the Fall or Spring semester.
Learn how you can reduce your tuition cost by up to 30%!
North Central College offers several scholarships and awards, including:
- Alliance Partnership
- Inaugural Cohort
- Opportunity Award
- North Central College Alumni
- Offer can be extended to family of alumni
Accreditation Statement
North Central College MSN program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommisssion.org), an institutional
accreditation agency recognized by the U.S Department of Education.
The master's degree in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate program at North Central College is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org). Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
Core Values
Caring: We believe caring is essential to the practice of nursing and seek to treat those we serve with sensitivity, respect, and empathy. We embrace holistic care through therapeutic relationships directed toward health, comfort and well-being.
Communication and Collaboration: We believe that open communication and collaboration
require accountability, honesty, integrity, and respect for all participants. We seek to practice shared decision-making with our fellow nurses as well as inter-professionally.
Cultural Inclusivity: We believe in the practice of cultural inclusivity, recognizing the rich diversity of humanity. We endeavor to honor that diversity by continually broadening our scope of care to include all members of our community and by modeling respect and equality for all.
Critical Thinking: We believe critical thinking is essential to nursing as a self-reflective and purposeful approach to thinking. We value the ability to make connections between patient data and acquired knowledge, leading to appropriate clinical interventions for our patients.
Evidence Based Practice: We believe in the use of evidence based practice to guide our nursing practice. We foster the integration of current research, clinical expertise, and the rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness of nursing interventions to make sound decisions in the care of our patients. We identify safety as having the utmost importance to the practice of nursing and strive to prevent harm to our patients and ourselves while delivery quality care.
Social Justice: We believe social justice in nursing embodies the principles of fairness, equality, dignity and equal opportunity for health for all. We embrace a moral mandate to improve access to quality health care for the marginalized and under-serviced.
Program Goals
- Prepare graduates to engage in clinical reasoning that provides safe, lawful evidence-based, patient-centered care to diverse populations across the lifespan that reflects ethical clinical judgment and inter-professional collaboration.
- Guide graduates to integrate scientific findings from nursing, bio-psycho-social fields, genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences into the delivery of advanced nursing care for diverse populations to promote health and prevent disease and injury for families, communities, and global health.
- Prepare graduates to utilize patient-care technologies to deliver and enhance care and use communication technologies to integrate and coordinate care.
Through the Nurse Executive Leader track, students will learn how to:
- Manage day-to-day supervision of departments, an entire hospital, or several hospitals
- Effectively report to the organization’s chief executive officer
- Implement budget oversight and preparation, business plans, professional presentations, and strategy development
- Execute human resource hiring and management and interprofessional collaborative practices
- Create effective intra-departmental and facility-wide systems of healthcare delivery, while leading a productive and efficient workforce
Program Overview
- Begin in Fall or Spring semester
- 36 credit hours
- 15-month or 24-month schedule options
- Please note that Graduate Nursing does not follow the published NCC Graduate Summer calendar and concludes a week later. Please plan accordingly.
- Click here to see the Nursing Graduate Academic Calendar
- Hybrid model including traditional and online courses
- Didactic courses are taught online, asynchronous
- Laboratory/simulation courses are taught on campus
- On-site clinical practicums and the completion of 500 practicum hours in the hospital/clinic/simulation setting, is required.
Foundational curriculum content deemed essential for all students who pursue a master’s degree in nursing regardless of the functional focus:
- NURS 500 - Professional Role Development into Advanced Nursing Practice
- NURS 501 - Applied Research and Biostatistics in Evidence-Based Practice
- NURS 502 - Population Health and Healthcare Delivery in a Global Society
- NURS 503 - Healthcare Quality Outcomes, Safety and Informatics
Curriculum
Semester One
| 15-Month Schedule | Credits | Practicum Hours | 24-Month Schedule | Credit Hours | Practicum Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NURS 500 - Professional Role Development into Advanced Nursing Practice (online) | 3 | - | NURS 500 - Professional Role Development into Advanced Nursing Practice (online) | 3 | - | |
| NURS 501 - Applied Research & Biostatistics in Evidence-Based Practice (online) | 3 | - | NURS 501 - Applied Research & Biostatistics in Evidence-Based Practice (online) | 3 | - | |
| NURS 502 - Population Health & Healthcare Delivery in a Global Society (online) | 3 | - | - | - | - | |
| Total | 9 | - | Total | 6 | - |
Semester Two
| 15-Month Schedule | Credits | Practicum Hours | 24-Month Schedule | Credits | Practicum Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NURS 503 - Healthcare Quality Outcomes, Safety & Informatics (online) | 3 | - | NURS 502 - Population Health & Healthcare Delivery in a Global Society (online) | 3 | - | |
| NURS 515 - Organizational Theory for Integrated Healthcare Systems (online) | 3 | - | NURS 503 - Healthcare Quality Outcomes, Safety & Informatics (online) | 3 | - | |
| NURS 516 - Decision-Making & Managing Complex Healthcare Systems (online) | 3 | - | - | - | - | |
| Total | 9 | - | Total | 6 | - |
Semester Three
| 15-Month Schedule | Credits | Practicum Hours | 24-Month Schedule | Credits | Practicum Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NURS 517 - Principles of Business & Finance in Healthcare Systems (online) | 3 | - | NURS 515 - Organizational Theory for Integrated Healthcare Systems (online) | 3 | - | |
| NURS 518 - Application of Business & Finance Principles in Budget Process (online) | 3 | 50 | NURS 516 - Decision-Making & Managing Complex Healthcare System (online) | 3 | - | |
| NURS 519 - Building Effective Business Communication & Relationships (online) | 2 | - | - | - | - | |
| NURS 522 - Nurse Executive Leader Capstone Project: Planning (on site) | 2 | 200 | - | - | - | |
| Total | 10 | 250 | Total | 6 | - |
Semester Four
| 15-Month Schedule | Credits | Practicum Hours | 24-Month Schedule | Credits | Practicum Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NURS 520 - Evidence-Based Personnel Perform Strategies in Healthcare (online) | 3 | 50 | NURS 517 - Principles of Business & Finance in Healthcare Systems (online) | 3 | - | |
| NURS 521 - Healthcare Operations: Human Resources, Laws, & Ethics (online) | 3 | - | NURS 518 - Application of Business & Finance Principles in Budget Process (online) | 3 | 50 | |
| NURS 523 - Nurse Executive Leader Capstone Practicum (on site) | 2 | 200 | - | - | - | |
| Total | 8 | 250 | Total | 6 | 50 |
Semester Five
| 15-Month Schedule | Credits | Pracitcum Hours | 24-Month Schedule | Credits | Practicum Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | NURS 519 - Building Effective Business Communication & Relationships (online) | 2 | - | |
| - | - | - | NURS 520 - Evidence-Based Personnel Perform Strategies in Healthcare (online) | 3 | 50 | |
| - | - | - | NURS 522 - Nurse Executive Leader Capstone Project: Planning (on site) | 2 | 200 | |
| Total | - | - | Total | 7 | 250 |
Semester Six
| 15-Month Schedule | Credits | Practicum Hours | 24-Month Schedule | Credits | Practicum Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | NURS 521- Healthcare Operations: Human Resources, Laws, & Ethics (online) | 3 | - | |
| - | - | - | NURS 523 - Nurse Executive Leader Capstone Practicum (on site) | 2 | 200 | |
| Total | - | - | Total | 5 | 200 |
Important Dates
December 8, 2023 - Deadline to apply for Spring semester start
Admissions Criteria
Apply using our free North Central application.
- A username and password will be generated and sent to the email you provide. You will have 30 days to complete the online application.
North Central College’s MSN program is committed to holistic admission, which assesses an applicant’s unique experiences alongside traditional measures of academic achievement such as grades and test scores. Admission decisions will be made within two months of the application deadline. Applicants will be invited to participate in an on-campus and/or virtual interview format.
Applicants must have:
- An earned BSN of CCNE or ACEN baccalaureate accredited program
- A current, unencumbered RN license
- While North Central accepts students from multiple states/territories, applicants outside of Illinois should check with their state regulatory body
- A cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of their BSN program
- Submitted official post-secondary academic transcripts
- Completed undergraduate statistics (3 credit hours) with a “C” or higher
- Submitted a resume/CV with academic and work history, certificates and services
- Submitted three letters of recommendation--at least one from a professional nurse colleague (supervisor or preceptor) and one from a professor or graduate-level prepared nursing colleague who can address the applicant’s professional and/or academic qualifications
- Applicants - please send this recommendation submission link to colleagues and supervisors
- Completed a personal narrative including experiences (healthcare experiences, educational background, community enrichment), and attributes (resilience, integrity, intellectual curiosity, ethnicity/race, socioeconomic status, multilingual abilities, geography, faith, perseverance)
- Completed application
Apply Today!
State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreements
The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions offering distance education to attain authorization from the state where educational services are offered. North Central College is authorized by the state of Illinois to participate in the National Council for State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). The NC-SARA provides oversight of post-secondary distance education, allowing the institution to provide online education to students in participating SARA member states, without obtaining authorization in that state. Regulations vary from state to state. All states EXCEPT California are currently authorized as SARA member states. SARA provides institutional reciprocity for educational offerings only and does not provide reciprocity for professional licensing. Information regarding NC-SARA can be found here.
Professional Licensure
State Board of Nursing requirements vary by state. Therefore, students considering enrollment in online graduate nursing programs, should contact the licensing agency of the state where their educational institution is located prior to beginning their academic program to ensure that the program meets the standards established by their home state’s licensure regulations.
For Fall 2023 admissions, North Central College Graduate Nursing Program, is offering the MSN and Post-Master Certificates to students in the following states and US Territories:
- American Samoa
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Colombia
- Florida
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Montana
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Rhode Island
- Texas
- Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Onsite Requirements
In addition to on-site practicum experiences local to the student at approved institutional affiliates to meet required practicum hours, students in the graduate nursing program are required to come to Naperville, IL campus for 2-3 campus visits* during the course of their program. The number and length of the visits varies by specialty program. Prospective students may inquire with the Graduate Nursing Program at North Central College to confirm on-campus requirements. Limited assistance to support the visits may be available.
*Dates will be provided prior to the start of the program
Cost of Attendance
When considering the financial cost of attending college, one number doesn't tell the whole story. Cost of Attendance (CoA) provides a more complete picture of total direct and indirect costs of one academic year at North Central College.
Direct costs are expenses that will be included on your semester bill, such as tuition and fees, as well as housing and food if applicable.
Indirect costs are expenses that won't show up on your bill but should be considered. Examples of indirect costs include books, classroom supplies, traveling, and personal expenses.
Note that total CoA is only an estimated number and will change based on your specific lifestyle and living arrangements.
Cost of Attendance for 15-Month Schedule
| Year One (Fall/Spring Semesters) | Year Two (Summer/Fall Semesters) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $13,986 | $13,986 | |
| Fees | $625 | $625 | |
| Housing & Food | $8,932 | $8,932 | |
| Books & Supplies | $600 | $600 | |
| Transportation | $3,304 | $3,304 | |
| Personal | $4,536 | $4,536 | |
| Student Loan Fees | $216 | $216 | |
| Total | $32,199 | $32,199 |
Cost of Attendance for 24-Month Schedule
| Year One (Fall/Spring Semesters) | Year Two (Summer/Fall/Spring Semesters) | Year Three (Summer Semester) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $9,324 | $14,763 | $3,885 | ||
| Fees | $625 | $625 | $0 | ||
| Housing & Food | $8,932 | $13,398 | $4,466 | ||
| Books & Supplies | $600 | $900 | $300 | ||
| Transportation | $3,304 | $4,956 | $1,652 | ||
| Personal | $4,536 | $6,804 | $2,268 | ||
| Student Loan Fees | $216 | $324 | $108 | ||
| Total | $27,537 | $41,770 | $12,679 |
Cost of tuition and fees are subject to change. More information at northcentralcollege.edu/financial-aid/graduate.
Scholarships and Awards
North Central College offers several scholarships and awards to help you reduce tuition cost by up to 30%, including:
- Alliance Partnership
- Inaugural Cohort
- Opportunity Award
- North Central College Alumni
- Offer can be extended to family of alumni
Faculty and Staff
Georgine Maisch - DNP, MSN, RN, CHSE, CNE
Program Director - Interim
Georgine Maisch DNP, MSN, RN, CHSE, CNE, has been a Registered Nurse for over 35 years. She began her nursing education journey in 2012, as a clinical instructor, inspiring her passion to educate future nurses and healthcare providers. Teaching prelicensure undergraduate nursing students led to her focus in simulation in nursing and healthcare education, where she is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator. Georgine is also a Certified Nurse Educator. In 2021, Georgine earned her DNP in Transformative Leadership: Systems, from Rush University. Nurses play an important role throughout all areas of the healthcare system and the health of the population. Providing advanced level education develops nurse’s knowledge, skills and abilities to provide effective leadership, education and quality care to address the complexities of the healthcare system and improve healthcare outcomes. I am excited to be a part of the North Central College community and for this opportunity to develop an excellent and engaging Masters in Nursing Program
Areas of expertise: Leadership, Nursing Education, Simulation, Maternal Newborn
Areas of interest: Curriculum Development; Nursing Education, Patient Safety, Simulation Education, Leadership Development
Daria Wrobel - DNP, MSN, RN
Coordinator of the MSN Nurse Educator Track, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Dr. Daria Wrobel is committed to serving students, faculty, and guests as the coordinator of the MSN Nurse Educator Track. With an extensive and detailed resume of experience as both a clinician and an educator, Dr. Wrobel is well-suited to lead and mentor the nursing professionals of the future. Her educational experiences began as a Chamberlain University College of Nursing teacher assistant. In this role, she began learning every aspect of being a nurse educator and connecting with students in a meaningful, productive manner. She soon took on an advanced role with Rasmussen University College of Nursing, where she served as a full-time instructor. She led and taught a variety of courses, including lab, clinical, and didactic, within the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) curriculum. Her career trajectory continued to grow as she took on a role with North Central College as an assistant professor of nursing and the MSN Nurse Educator Track coordinator. Dr. Wrobel received her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University College of Nursing. In her free time, Daria enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family and friends. Daria is a loving wife and mother of two children.
Areas of expertise: Nursing Education
Kara Fenne - DNP, RN, PEL-CSN, CNE
Associate Professor, Coordinator of MSN Executive Leadership Track
Kara Fenne DNP, RN, PEL-CSN, CNE has 3 decades of experience in the field of nursing. Her clinical experience is in community health, specifically school nursing, home care and hospice. She earned her professional educator licensure and Certification in School Nursing from University of Illinois Chicago in 2017. In addition, Dr. Fenne is an experienced educator who has served in several leadership positions at her former university. She is a Certified Nurse Educator with 7 years of teaching experience in the areas of leadership, ethics, policy and population health. Dr. Fenne earned the Aurora University Meritorious Faculty Award in 2020 and the Outstanding Faculty Award in 2022 from the BSN graduating seniors in spring of 2022.
In 2022, Dr Fenne earned a DNP in Health Executive Leadership from Indiana University. Her DNP project focused on breaking down barriers between academia and practice settings to foster effective clinical experiences for prelicensure nursing students and staff nurses. In May of 2023, Dr. Fenne joined the North Central College MSN Program as the Coordinator of the MSN Executive Leadership Track. She is excited to be a part of developing nurses who will be innovators and transformational leaders in the healthcare setting.
Areas of expertise: Population Health, Health Care Leadership, Nursing Education
Areas of interest: Impact of Organizational Culture on Outcomes, Academic-Practice Partnership, Innovation in Nursing Education, History of Nursing
Jessy Thomas - DNP, MSN, MPH, FNP-C, RN
Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner Track Coordinator
Dr. Thomas has been a practicing Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner since 2005. Dr. Thomas completed her MSN/MPH with a concentration in FNP and Occupational and Environmental Medicine in 2005, and continued on with a DNP for Advanced Public Health Nursing in 2018. She has been adjunct faculty at various Chicago institutions, as well as a clinical preceptor in the field for many FNP students. She is truly passionate about research and education for chronic disease management in community health settings, as well as working on preventative health measures in the community. Dr. Thomas believes in educating and giving students the best experience for learning in order to become efficient and effective nurse providers, leaders, and educators.
Areas of expertise: Family Practice, Community Health, Occupational Medicine
Areas of interest: Community Health, Preventative Health in underserved areas