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College of Nursing:
Post-Master’s Certificate in Nurse Executive

Post-Master’s Certificate in Nurse Executive

This certificate program prepares nurses for leadership positions in complex healthcare systems. Students who complete this certificate program are ready to make a difference in organizations by addressing pressing issues such as workforce development, resources, integration of technology, and the maintenance and improvement of quality care.

Note on Licensure

The post-master's certificate program in Nurse Executive, Nursing Education, or Nursing Informatics is not a licensure-leading program and will not prepare students as nurse practitioners.

Note on CCNE Certification

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN), master’s degree program in nursing (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Walden University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Certificate Requirements

  • 28 total quarter credits
  • Foundation course (3 credits)
  • Specialization courses (25 credits)
  • Optional practicum (5 credits)

Curriculum

OR

AND

*This course is taken with the foundations course if a student is taking the optional practicum course

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Course Sequence

The recommended course sequence is as follows:

Term Course Credits
Quarter 1

NURS 6002 - Perspectives on Graduate Study for Advanced Nursing Practice

 OR 

NURS 6003 - Perspectives on Graduate Study for Advanced Nursing Practice

3 credits

FECN 6600 - Field Experience Preparation

0 credits

NURS 6201 - Leadership in Nursing and Healthcare

5 credits
Quarter 2

NURS 6211 - Finance and Economics in Healthcare Delivery

5 credits

NURS 6221 - Managing Human Resources

5 credits
Quarter 3+

NURS 6231 - Healthcare Systems and Quality Outcomes

5 credits

NURS 6241 - Strategic Planning in Healthcare Organizations

5 credits

NURS 6600 - Capstone Synthesis Practicum

 Optional
5 credits
(3 didactic;
2 practicum)

Note on Field Experience and Relocating

Students who are considering relocating are advised to contact their student success advisor or Tempo coach prior to any decision to relocate in order to determine how relocation may impact progress in their program.  They can provide information and guidance on how relocating may result in possible changes, restrictions, and/or additional requirements affecting field experience. Each Board of Nursing and Higher Education Authority governs the field experience rules and regulations in their respective states, and students may be unable to complete field experience in the state in which they plan to relocate. While Walden is committed to working collaboratively with students to secure field sites across the United States, it is imperative that students contact their student success advisor or Tempo coach immediately when considering relocating.

Field Experience Preparation 

Walden is committed to providing students with resources and support in preparation of field experience(s). To help ease anxiety in the field experience process, Walden offers a 0-credit Field Experience Preparation course, a structured experience that guides students through the application process and currently available readiness resources. The course is designed to complement other pre-requisite courses needed in preparation for field experience(s). The goal is that students submit their field experience application by the end of the course. Of course, there may be reasons why a field experience needs to be postponed, or the readiness course may not be needed if a field experience opportunity has already been secured. In this instance, students may opt-out of the course. By opting out of the Field Experience Preparation course without having submitted a complete field experience application you are notifying Walden that you have chosen to delay the beginning of your field experience indefinitely, it is your responsibility to notify Walden when you plan to begin the field experience component of your program. In some instances, opting out of the Field Experience Preparation course indicates the foundational components of the field experience process have been satisfied and submission of the field experience application is pending. While the course is not yet available for Tempo students, the same readiness resources are available to Tempo students seeking field experience.