Potential Careers
- Chief nursing officer
- Chief nursing executive
- Director of nursing
- Case manager
- Advanced nursing leadership
Graduate Studies
Nursing Health Systems Leadership
Widener offers a wide-variety of health systems leadership graduate programs. Whether you pursue a master's or doctorate in health systems leadership, or post-master's certificate in executive nurse leadership, you'll be prepared to excel as a leader in health care and health system settings.
At a Glance
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Offered as
MSN in Health Systems Leadership
DNP in Health Systems Leadership
Post-MSN Certificate in Executive Nurse Leadership
Format
100% online
Credits & Avg Completion Time
- MSN: 45; 18-24 months
- DNP: 73; 5 years
- Post-MSN Cert: 15; 18-24 months
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
- Harrisburg, PA
Explore Our Health Systems Leadership
Widener University offers advanced degrees in health systems leadership, including a master's in health systems leadership (MSN), doctorate in health systems leadership (DNP), and a post-master's certificate in nurse leadership. All nurse leadership program coursework is offered 100% online.
Why Earn a Health Systems Leadership Degree?
A graduate degree in health systems leadership will help you take the next step in your nursing career and hone critical skills in effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered leadership and health care delivery models. Here, you’ll partner with faculty mentors, engaged students, and experienced nursing and business professionals to develop the skills to lead at every system level in health care.
Widener's health systems leadership programs will help you master the technical data and process management skills needed to improve health outcomes for patients and populations.
After you graduate with your master's degree, and have two years of nurse leadership experience, you’ll be eligible to apply for certifications offered by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and/or the American Nurses Association. You'll also be welcomed into an expansive alumni network.
The master's degree program in nursing at Widener University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Health Systems Leadership Program Options
Health systems leadership classes are offered 100% online with an in-person clinical practica requirement that can be completed in your home state of residence for the MSN and DNP programs.
An MSN in health systems leadership can be completed part-time, full-time, and in an accelerated timeframe. The health systems leadership master’s program coursework is offered 100% online with in-person clinical practica that can be completed in your home state of residence. We work collaboratively with you to secure an on-site clinical placement that meets your specialization.
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The online doctor of nursing practice in health systems leadership curriculum builds on your strong nursing foundation and prepares you to advance as a visionary and passionate nurse executive and leader. Our interdisciplinary curriculum will help you hone business savvy skills, along with a deep knowledge and appreciation for fiscal and human resource management, continuous quality improvement and safety, complex organizational behavior, and strategic leadership competencies.
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Outlook & Outcomes
Why Study Health Systems Leadership at Widener?
Elevate Your MSN Journey by Joining a Dynamic Cohort
Jump on the opportunity to join a dynamic MSN cohort, where you'll connect with a diverse group of nursing faculty and peers right from the start. This collaborative environment not only enriches your learning experience but also helps you build a valuable professional network early on.
Begin with our comprehensive core curriculum to establish a solid foundation in nursing principles, then seamlessly transition into specialized pathways tailored to your interests and career goals.
Learn via Online Classes that Support Busy Professional & Personal Lives
Our health systems leadership courses are delivered entirely online, with the exception of one in-person Health Assessment Lab. This approach offers maximum flexibility, allowing you to balance your professional and personal commitments while pursuing your education.
Receive Mentorship & Support from an Engaged Nursing Community
You'll thrive in a learning community that is guided by expert faculty with close mentorship and one-on-one support. As you complete courses led by nursing and business leaders, you'll build a network that will follow you long after graduation.
You'll also have the opportunity to join multiple clubs and organizations across campus, including the Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders (PONL), National League for Nursing (NLN), and many more.
Here, you'll build a network that will follow you long after graduation. Widener's expansive professional alumni network will continue to provide opportunities for engagement and building connections.
Student Stories
Nursing Program Highlights
Our Faculty
I ascribe to a pragmatic philosophy of teaching and learning. I believe that nursing education must be practical and logically aligned to the diverse needs of the population we serve.
My approach to teaching nursing and inquiry is based on realistic situational realistic pragmatism. The most significant learning occurs when practical and meaningful educational situations relate to nurses’ practice and experience.
The journey to become a nurse requires passion, commitment, and self-reflection; when you touch the lives of those most in need by using your knowledge, expertise, and empathy you will know that it was all worth it.
I oversee the DNP program and teach in both the DNP and PhD programs. My teaching philosophy revolves around nurturing students' interests while guiding their growth in clinical and research excellence. My dual role as a health services researcher and nurse practitioner fuels my passion for exploring how nurses impact care delivery and outcomes, as well as the influence of practice and payment policies within healthcare organizations. I seamlessly integrate these insights into my teaching and mentoring, fostering a deep engagement with evidence-based practice and nursing science.
Recent News
Widener Nursing Programs Empower Future Nurse Leaders
Undergraduate and graduate nursing students are gaining the leadership skills and experiences needed to advance their careers and transform the health care industry.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
Applicants must submit the following:
- Complete online application
- Application fee of $35
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing or equivalent from an accredited program
- Minimum of 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in a BSN program
- Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education
- Completion of an undergraduate statistics/research course with a grade of C or better
- Two recommendations, preferably from professional nurses with graduate degrees, regarding applicant’s practice and potential for graduate work in nursing.
- Valid U.S. license as a registered nurse; PA State Board of Nursing licensure prior to start of clinical practicum or as appropriate
- Personal Statement (see prompt below)
- Updated resume
- Interview with program director
- International applicants, immigrants to the U.S., and U.S. permanent residents are required to submit the results of an English proficiency test taken with 2 years, unless they are from a TOEFL-exempt country
View English Proficiency Requirements - International applicants who will be seeking licensure in the U.S. should work with Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to utilize their credentials evaluation service
Applicants who meet all admission criteria except the 3.0 grade point average are eligible to complete two courses as a non-matriculated student. The student should complete the application and contact the advisor to discuss course selection. If the applicant completes two non-matriculated courses and attains a grade of B or better admission will be considered.
Graduates of accredited bachelor's programs in nursing are invited to apply for admission by submitting evidence of:
- Completed online application
- Transcripts from all previously attended higher education institutions
- Minimum of a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale)
- Undergraduate statistics course with a grade of at least C (2.0)
- Two references—one from an educator or advanced practice nurse and one from an employer with a graduate degree
- Goal statement that highlights the applicant’s interests with emphasis on health care practice improvement
- Curriculum vitae
- Valid RN license
- Interview with a nursing faculty member (arranged after a preliminary review of application materials)
- International applicants, immigrants to the U.S., and U.S. permanent residents are required to submit the results of an English proficiency test taken with 2 years, unless they are from a TOEFL-exempt country.
View English Proficiency Requirements - International applicants who will be seeking licensure in the U.S. should work with Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to utilize their credentials evaluation service.
GRE scores are not required.
Registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited
- Completed online application.
- Transcript from completed master’s degree program.
- Valid U.S. license as a registered nurse.
- August 15 - for matriculation in the fall semester
- December 15 - for matriculation in the spring semester
- April 15 - for matriculation in summer sessions
Financial Aid
Paths to Savings
85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
Applying For Financial Aid as a Graduate Student
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
Widener Scholarships
A limited number of university-based scholarships are made available to enrolled graduate students made possible directly from our academic department or thanks to the generosity of university donors. No extra steps are needed to be taken prior to admission. Once enrolled, contact your program director to learn more.
20% Discount for Widener Alumni
(some restrictions apply)
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Program Cost
Graduate Admissions Office
-
Hyatt Hall
14th St
Chester, PA 19013 - 610-499-4282
- gcs@widener.edu
Monica F. Rochman
Director, Executive Nurse Leadership Program
-
Founders Hall
Room 323 - 610-499-4213
- mfrochman@widener.edu