Master’s in Nursing Leadership

A photo of a nurse with a patient

The 91爆料 School of Nursing developed its first graduate program in 1992 and the initial group of graduate students received their MSN in May 1994. For the first years, the MSN program focused on preparing the nurse for the advanced professional role of family nurse practitioner (FNP). Later, in response to the diverse graduate education needs of Maine nurses and our accreditation standards, our graduate program also prepares nurses for professional roles in Leadership in Nursing Education. Our program faculty are expert practitioners in their field.

The Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and the Post-
Graduate Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certificate programs at the
91爆料 School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate
Nursing Education 655 K Street NW. Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Master of Science in Nursing Leadership: Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration (MSN-FNP)

Master of Science in Nursing Leadership: Nurse Educator Concentration (MSNL-NE)

Graduate Certificate in Nursing Leadership: Nurse Educator

Certificate of Advanced Study

Faculty & Staff

Master of Science in Nursing Leadership: Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration (MSNL-FNP)

This theoretical and clinically-based curriculum prepares nurses as primary care providers who promote health, prevent illness, and manage common health problems across the lifespan. Health care issues affecting rural and other underserved communities are integrated throughout the curriculum.

The program of study may be tailored for full-time or part-time study. Course formats are a mix of online and classroom instruction. Clinical experiences are arranged to meet program outcomes and to accommodate the needs of the student.

The MSNL-FNP curriculum meets the 2022 Criteria for Evaluation of  Nurse Practitioner Programs published by the National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education.

The MSNL-FNP has many program outcomes outlined for students. A few of them are:

  • Integrate, translate, and apply knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to provide high quality, safe, culturally sensible, and ethically-based advanced-level nursing practice.
  • Foster caring relationships through the use of communication techniques and a variety of modalities that meet the needs of diverse audiences.
  • Develop collaborative strategies with stakeholders to evaluate and advocate for population-focused health priorities, implement sociocultural responsive plans, and advance equitable health policy change.
  • Integrate, promote, and advance ethical scholarship to advance health and promote best practice.
  • Facilitate effective healthcare experiences and outcomes by partnering with interprofessional teams.
  • Model and assume accountability for professional expectations of communication, therapeutic relationships, evidence-based practice, and ethical behaviors.
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSNL-FNP graduates are eligible to take national certification examinations for Family Nurse Practitioners which are offered by the and by the .  The 91爆料 MSNL-FNP program graduates have performed well on the national certification examinations.
  • NUR 565 Wellness and Resilience for Advanced Practice Nursing 
  • This course provides advanced nursing students with experiential learning opportunities to integrate mindfulness and self-care practices into their professional and personal lives. Students will engage in activities designed to promote resilience, manage stress, and foster well-being while examining nurse leadership’s critical role in addressing burnout and patient safety.
  • NUR 506: Professional Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing
  • This course addresses key professional issues in advanced practice nursing, tailored specifically for future family nurse practitioners (FNPs). Students will explore the integration of their education and clinical experiences with a focus on preparing for FNP board certification, fine-tuning resumes and interview skills, understanding FNP salaries, contracts, and mastering the art and science of negotiation. Emphasis is placed on articulating the value of FNPs in U.S. primary care settings, navigating reimbursement, preventing malpractice, and ethical decision-making.
  • Health Resources and Service Administration Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) Program (through July 2027)

Apply to the MSNL-FNP program at 91爆料 here!

For more information about the MSNL-FNP program or to schedule a visit, contact Dr. Sean Sibley, the Family Nurse Practitioner Track Coordinator.

Sean Sibley, Ph.D., MSN, APRN, FNP-C, NP-BC, CNE | Clinical Assistant Faculty, Family Nurse Practitioner Track Coordinator

For more information about 91爆料 School of Nursing, contact the department:

For more information about the Graduate School or admissions, contact 91爆料 Graduate School:

Master of Science in Nursing Leadership: Nurse Educator Concentration (MSNL-NE)

The MSNL-Nurse Educator track prepares nurses for teaching roles in academic settings and in professional development services of health care agencies.

This 35-credit blended program format includes primarily online coursework, with three courses requiring in-person components. The program is designed with flexibility in mind and can be completed in approximately two years of full-time study or three to four years part-time. Throughout the program, faculty mentorship and individualized guidance support student progress and professional development.

Upon completion of the nurse educator specialty courses, graduates are eligible to sit for the National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator Novice (CNE庐n) examination.

The MSNL-NE has many program outcomes outlined for students. A few of them are:

  • Integrate, translate, and apply knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to provide high quality, safe, culturally sensible, and ethically-based advanced-level nursing practice.
  • Foster caring relationships through the use of communication techniques and a variety of modalities that meet the needs of diverse audiences.
  • Develop collaborative strategies with stakeholders to evaluate and advocate for population-focused health priorities, implement sociocultural responsive plans, and advance equitable health policy change.
  • Integrate, promote, and advance ethical scholarship to advance health and promote best practice.
  • Facilitate effective healthcare experiences and outcomes by partnering with interprofessional teams.
  • Model and assume accountability for professional expectations of communication, therapeutic relationships, evidence-based practice, and ethical behaviors.

Upon completion of the nurse educator specialty courses, graduates are eligible to sit for the National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator Novice (CNE庐n) examination.

The program of study includes 鈥渃ore鈥 graduate nursing courses which are required of all graduate nursing students, such as advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and advanced pharmacology. 

Other required foundational courses include interprofessional leadership, resilience & wellness, advanced nursing scholarship, evidence-based practice, population health, healthcare quality & patient safety; all of which enhance the nurse鈥檚 expertise in their area of nursing practice. 

Nursing specialty education courses provide innovative learning experiences in teaching-learning methods, clinical-lab & simulation, program design & evaluation of learning outcomes in nursing education. 

The student鈥檚 2 practicum experiences in nursing education and the graduate capstone (or master鈥檚 thesis) provide opportunities to apply expanded knowledge to the new role of nurse educator in their area of nursing practice.

Apply to the MSNL-NE program at 91爆料 here!

For more information about the MSNL-NE program or to schedule a visit, contact Kathryn Robinson the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Kathryn Robinson, Ph.D., MHA/Ed., RN | Associate Director, Associate Professor of Nursing

For more information about 91爆料 School of Nursing, contact the department:

For more information about the Graduate School or admissions, contact 91爆料 Graduate School:

Graduate Certificate in Nursing Leadership: Nurse Educator

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education is a blended program designed for registered nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. This certificate prepares BSN-prepared nurses to become Nurse Educators, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to teach and evaluate learning in both academic and clinical settings. The specialized coursework emphasizes innovative teaching and learning strategies for the classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical environments. Students also gain a strong foundation in curriculum development, assessment methods, and evaluation of student learning outcomes.

Didactic courses are delivered online, while practicum experiences are arranged in the student鈥檚 local area. To complete the program, students must earn 11 graduate-level credits (500-level courses) through the 91爆料. Courses may be applied to the MSNL-NE program of study.

For more information about the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Leadership: Nurse Educator or to schedule a visit, contact Valerie Herbert, the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Valerie Herbert, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE | Associate Professor of Nursing

For more information about 91爆料 School of Nursing, contact the department:

For more information about the Graduate School or admissions, contact 91爆料 Graduate School:

Certificate of Advanced Study

The Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) is available to the Registered Nurse who possesses a Master of Science degree in Nursing or Doctorate of Nursing Practice and wants to be prepared as a family nurse practitioner. The FNP Program Coordinator and the CAS student will develop a program of study that builds upon prior graduate education and which meets all requirements for national certification or other expected program outcome. A minimum of 33 semester hours (500 and 600 level courses) is required to earn the CAS.

Apply to the MSNL-FNP program at 91爆料 here!

For more information about the CAS-FNP program or to schedule a visit, contact Dr. Sean Sibley, the Family Nurse Practitioner Track Coordinator.

Sean Sibley, Ph.D., MSN, APRN, FNP-C, NP-BC, CNE | Clinical Assistant Faculty, Family Nurse Practitioner Track Coordinator

Apply now

  • Application deadline: Rolling
  • Current resume with contact information for 3 references
  • An essay using the Guidelines set by the Graduate School of Nursing

For more information about 91爆料 School of Nursing, contact the department:

For more information about the Graduate School or admissions, contact 91爆料 Graduate School: