Nursing Leadership and Management, Defined

The success of a business, organization, or institution doesn’t happen as a result of luck. Success is attributed to hard work and effective leadership in an organization. Good leadership is important in all lines of work, in a variety of industries and environments. Without strong leaders, an organization’s culture can be negatively affected, and goals put out of reach.

This is especially true within the field of nursing. Nursing leadership and management is essential to ensuring that, not only are nursing units functioning as a team, but also (and perhaps more importantly) that the quality of patient care provided is the best that it can be.

Nursing leadership and management is an important facet of Goodwin’s Master’s in Nursing (MSN) program, and at the core of the program’s career outcomes. Our MSN courses focus on Population Health, as well as the nursing leadership skills needed to ensure high quality patient care. Graduates leave with the ability to think and act strategically in a health care environment, as well as the readiness to make important decisions and guide a population, a facility, or a team through organizational change.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN FROM GOODWIN’S MSN PROGRAM:

Goodwin’s MSN curriculum focuses on overall Population Health with specific nursing leadership and management courses woven into the program. In fact, one of the first courses that Goodwin MSN students take is called “Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice and Leadership,” which covers important leadership concepts such as self-awareness, vision, critical decision-making, creativity, effective communication, and collaboration.

Further into the MSN degree program, students dive into more specific nursing and leadership management practices, focusing on persuasive strategies and tactics for efficient, effective communication with internal and external stakeholders. Goodwin’s robust curriculum provides MSN graduates with the knowledge, experience, and nursing leadership skills needed to take their careers to the next level.

POSITIONS YOU CAN OBTAIN WITH AN MSN DEGREE FROM GOODWIN:

The nursing leadership and management skills that students gain through Goodwin’s MSN program helps them obtain impactful leadership positions within the field, such as nursing administration. A nurse administrator is responsible for providing leadership and support to a team of nurses and the resources available to their facilities. Typically, they oversee and motivate the staff, create and manage budgets and finances, ensure regulatory requirements are being met, and undertake tasks to ensure efficiencies and the highest quality of patient care. All of these tasks require strong nursing leadership and management skills.

Another advanced position that MSN graduates can obtain, is that of a nurse manager. Nurse managers have similar responsibilities as a nurse administrator, but on a smaller scale. They tend to oversee and support the daily operations within one particular nursing unit. As a nurse manager, you need strong leadership skills to directly support the nursing staff and act as a liaison between the staff and the health care administration. Since nurse managers are so involved in the day-to-day care given by the nurses, they can also help their staff come up with innovative solutions and ideas to help better the nursing unit and overall medical organization.

If you are interested in learning the nursing leadership and management skills needed to take your nursing career to the next level, Goodwin’s MSN program is a great option for getting where you want to be. Contact Goodwin College at 800-889-3282 today to learn more about our flexible, online MSN nursing program.