Nursing Health Care Leadership (M.S.)

The Master of Science in Nursing Health Care Leadership provides opportunities to the registered nurses in New Hampshire and across the nation to earn a meaningful degree that will provide a clear pathway to work collaboratively with other professionals to improve health outcomes across diverse populations. The program is designed specifically from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials Series and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Health, Character, and Technical Standards

Technical standards have been established to inform the student of minimum standards needed to satisfactorily function in the program and ultimately succeed in the profession. Applicants who feel they may not be able to meet one or more of the technical standards listed should contact the Director to discuss individual cases. All academically qualified candidates will be considered for admission provided the technical standards for classroom and practice experiences can be met with reasonable accommodations. Subsequent evidence that a matriculated student is unable/unwilling to meet one or more of the standards, and thus unable to meet course objectives, may result in dismissal from the program.

The College must ensure that patients/clients of clinical affiliates are not placed in jeopardy by students during practice experiences. Therefore, students in practice experiences must demonstrate sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stresses, uncertainties, and rapidly-changing circumstances that characterize the responsibilities of patient/client care. Furthermore, the student is expected to have the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgment, accept direction and guidance from a supervisor, staff nurse, or faculty member, establish rapport, and maintain sensitive interpersonal relationships with patients, their families, agency staff, faculty, and ​classmates. Applicants must also be in good physical and mental health to meet program objectives. Participation in classes and clinical experiences is expected. Technical standards are listed below:

1. Sufficient hearing to assess patients’ health, understand instructions, identify emergency signals, and engage in telephone conversation;
2. Sufficient visual acuity to observe patients, interpret data, ensure a safe environment, and read fine print;
3. Sufficient speech and language ability to read, express, comprehend, and exchange information and ideas in English verbally, non-verbally, and in writing, and to interact clearly and logically with patients, health care professionals, family members, faculty, and peers;
4. Ability to work with frequent interruptions, to respond appropriately in emergencies or unexpected situations, and to cope with variations in workload and stress levels;
5. Sufficient emotional intelligence to exhibit empathy and compassion, to maintain productive relationships in online, classroom, and clinical settings, and to integrate direction, instruction, and criticism into behavior;
6. Sufficient strength, endurance, and motor coordination to participate in course requirements;
7. Sufficient information technology skills to complete assignments according to program standards;
8. Personal transportation to and from clinical experiences;
9. Compliance with health and immunization requirements and criminal background check verification process.