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Nurse Executive

The Nurse Executive concentration is designed to provide Registered Nurses with specialized knowledge and skills for strategic, executive-level leadership within and across health systems, implementing innovative solutions to complex problems, and adeptly navigating times of crisis. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree concentrations include pathways for those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), or a DNP in another concentration.

Coursework provides a theoretical foundation and is designed to assist students in developing practical expertise in providing executive-level leadership in a myriad of settings, addressing crises, and strategically meeting ever-changing demands in health systems. Graduates are expected to play a crucial role in shaping health, health care delivery, policy, and culture. Their contributions are significant in several key areas including strategic leadership and decision-making, advocacy and health policy influence, quality and patient safety initiatives, workforce development and retention, interprofessional collaboration, innovation and technology integration, and financial stewardship.

Accreditation:  The DNP Nurse Executive track has been approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) but is subject to approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Information on the accreditation of UT Health Science Center by SACSCOC can be found here

The  DNP program at UT Health Science Center is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, 202.887.6791, http://www.ccneaccreditation.org, through December 31, 2034, and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

DNP Nurse Executive Concentration Course Requirements

Fall Year 1
Course ID Title Credits
NSG 910 Philosophy of Science and Nursing Theories 4
NSG 877 Healthcare Economics
NEX 801 Advanced Nursing Informatics
NEX 802 Scholarly Writing for Leaders
  Semester Total  11 
Spring Year 1
Course ID Title Credits
NSG 827 Epidemiology for Clinical Practice
NSG 876 Leadership and Healthcare Policy
NEX 803 Executive Presence I
NEX 804

Innovation, Evidence-based Practice and Quality Improvement for Nurse Executives 

  Semester Total  11 
Fall Year 2
Course ID Title Credits

NSG 947

DNP Project Seminar I
NEX 805 Nursing Leadership for High Reliability Organizations 
NEX 806 Law, Policy, and Ethics in Health Care Systems
NEX 807

Nursing Leadership and Ethics in a High Reliability Organizations Practicum

  Semester Total  10 
Spring Year 2
Course ID Title Credits
NSG 948 DNP Project Design and Methods 2  
NEX 901 Executive Presence II 2  
NEX 902 Financial, Human and Capital Resource Management 3  
NEX 903 Financial, Human and Capital Resource Management Practicum

3  

  Semester Total 

10
 

Fall Year 3
Course ID Title Credits
NSG 949 DNP Project Implementation
NEX 904 Strategic Leadership and Crisis Management
NEX 905 Population Health, Epidemiology, and Data Analytics
NEX 906 Population Health, Epidemiology, and Data Analytics Practicum
  Semester Total  11 
Spring Year 3
Course ID Title Credits
NSG 950 DNP Seminar II
NEX 907

Contemporary Issues in Nursing Leadership and Health Care   

NSG 926

  DNP Synthesis Practicum

  Semester Total

10

  Grand Total 

63 

Individual course details and descriptions can be viewed in the College of Nursing section of the 2025-2026 Academic Bulletin when it becomes available. If you would like the course details and descriptions in the meantime, please contact Dr. Bobby Bellflower, bbellflo@uthsc.edu, or Dr. Charleen McNeill, cmcneil8@uthsc.edu.
 

Technical and Performance Standards

All students in the DNP Nurse Executive Concentration must meet the Technical and Performance Standards for admission and progression.

View Standards

In addition to the technical and performance standards expected of all students in educational programs in the College of Nursing, students in the DNP program are also expected to possess the mental, auditory, visual, sensory, strength, manual dexterity, and communication skills to:

  1. Lead and govern through vision, strategic planning, using evidence in decision making while maintaining ethical standards.
  2. Provide operational management with resource allocation, compliance, and risk management.
  3. Demonstrate financial acumen in budget development, fiscal management, and economic analyses.
  4. Apply principles of human resource development with human acquisition, professional development, and performance appraisal.
  5. The ability to lead diverse, interdisciplinary teams.
  6. Use communication skills and emotional intelligence for interdepartmental and external communication and conflict resolution.
  7. Demonstrate appropriate technology utilization with health informatics and telehealth integration.
  8. Assess the health and healthcare landscape and emerging trends in healthcare.
  9. Maintain effective relationships and interact appropriately with other professionals and clients/families, demonstrating leadership, collaboration, and decisiveness skills.
  10. Maintain flexibility and emotional stability in response to novel, unique situations and stress.

If a student cannot fulfill these Technical and Performance Standards, with or without accommodations, at any time in the program, the student will be ineligible for admission or continued progression in the DNP Program. In addition to assuring that students can meet the intellectual, emotional, and physical criteria for the DNP Program, it is of utmost importance that students have the ability to provide for the safety and welfare of others. Reasonable accommodations will be provided, when appropriate, to help students meet these Technical and Professional Standards. Disability Services must make a determination of eligibility and recommendations for accommodations at https://www.uthsc.edu/tlc/disability-services.php.  Any student wishing accommodations must contact the university’s Office of Disability Services at tlc@uthsc.edu.

DNP Nurse Executive FAQs

What skills do Nurse Executives have?

Doctorally prepared nurse executives possess a wide range of skills that position them as leaders in health care and health systems. These skills include Leadership and Management Skills, Financial and Business Acumen, Nursing Practice Expertise, Public Health, Professionalism, Equity, Communication and Interpersonal Skills, Technology and Innovation, Policy and Advocacy. Doctorally prepared nurse executives use this diverse skill set to navigate complex health care environments, advocate for nursing, and lead transformational changes within and across health systems. You can learn more about Nurse Executive competencies at the American Organization of Nurse Executives.

Where can I work after graduation?

A doctorally prepared nurse executive has diverse career opportunities in health care and beyond. Their advanced education, leadership skills, and expertise prepare them for leadership roles in various settings. Work opportunities include Health Care Organizations, Government and Public Health Agencies, Private Sector and Health Care consulting, Health Insurance Companies, Non-Profit Organizations and Foundations, Policy and Regulatory Agencies, and Entrepreneurship.

What salary can a DNP-prepared Nurse Executive expect to earn?
  • Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Average Salary: $130,000 - $250,000
  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Chief Operating Officer (COO) in health care Average Salary: 150,000 - $300,000+
  • Director of Nursing Average Salary: $90,000 - $180,000
  • Nursing Faculty (Doctorally Prepared) Average Salary: $80,000 - $150,000+
  • Health care Consultant Average Salary: $100,000 - $200,000+
  • Health care Administrators in Government or Public Health Average Salary: $90,000 - $160,000
  • Non-Profit Organizations or Global Health Leadership Average Salary: $80,000 - $150,000
  • Entrepreneur/Private Consultant Average Salary/Potential Earning: Varies Widely
  • In summary, a doctorally prepared nurse executive typically earns between **$90,000 and $300,000+** annually, potentially earning higher in top leadership positions or entrepreneurial ventures.
What makes the Nurse Executive program at UT Health Science Center different?

The Nurse Executive program at UT Health Science Center was created to provide an academic experience that will equip executive-level nurse leaders with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to lead with resilience in times of crisis and critically analyze the multitude of data available to them to facilitate strategic decision-making.  Along with a dynamic and challenging didactic program, students in the Nurse Executive Program must perform 1020 total practicum hours in which they apply the course material.

How long is the program?

The length of the program varies depending on whether the applicant is applying as a BSN-to-DNP or MSN-to-DNP student. Additionally, the length of the program may vary based on the completion of previous graduate courses at another university. Please review the various program plans of study.

Can I go full/part-time?

Full-time and part-time plans of study are available. Students should consult with the concentration coordinator about how to proceed with his/her respective program needs.

Can I work while going to school?

The UT Health Science Center Nurse Executive program is a rigorous, full-time program that requires a significant commitment to complete didactic successfully and practicum course experiences. For this reason, students are strongly discouraged from maintaining full-time employment while enrolled in the program. If employment is essential, students are encouraged to explore flexible part-time employment and utilize saved vacation or other leave to commit more time to the program.

How much will this program cost? 

Tuition costs are determined by in-state or out-of-state status and may change during the program. Tuition and fee information is located on the UT Health Science Center Bursar's Fees webpage. Additionally, the Academic Common Market may be available for some out-of-state students. Information on this program is available through the Office of Financial Aid. Many employers also offer tuition reimbursement for full-time and part-time employees. Students are encouraged to explore the many private scholarship funds available for graduate study in their communities as well as regional, state, and national financial aid. An internet search of graduate nursing scholarships can reveal various opportunities. Many diverse groups offer scholarship programs, and some states and organizations have loan repayment programs for nursing education. There are also federal government grants for nursing students.

What books, equipment, and supplies will I need? 

Book purchases will vary by semester. Many books specific to the Nurse Executive program will be used in consecutive semesters. Textbooks are supplemented with electronic media, much of which is available in the library for the students at no cost. Students need adequate computer hardware and internet access. Lab coats are mandatory for practicum experiences, but the specifications may periodically change.

Where/when do I do my practicum experiences? 

Practicum experiences are interspersed throughout the program and differ based on concentration and student background. Practicum hour requirements are identified in the plan of study. One credit of practicum experience equates to 60 practicum clock hours. To determine the number of practicum clock hours, multiply the practicum credits in the plan of study by 60. Practicum hours do not include on-campus experiences, conferences, travel, or mealtime. Please remember that these are minimum hours. 

How do I find a practicum site?
Faculty are integrally involved in selecting highly qualified preceptors and the placement process so that students have opportunities that will meet course and student outcomes. Students living outside the Memphis area will collaborate with the practicum course faculty to identify appropriate practicum sites. Relatives may not serve as preceptors for students. Practicum contracts are required for all practicum sites; developing a new one can be tedious, so starting this process early in the program in collaboration with the Nurse Executive concentration coordinator is important.
Do I have to come to campus? 

Students in the Nurse Executive concentration are not required to come to campus.

How is online education different?
Online education is very popular as it offers students greater flexibility regarding the location of learning sites. This flexibility can accommodate an individual’s learning style and lifestyle. Some online educational experiences are synchronized for classes to occur at a designated time. Online education requires discipline and self-motivation; it is not for everyone. Online education requires participative learning with much less traditional lecture-style teaching. Graduate coursework entails significant reading and discussions among learners with guidance from the faculty.  Good computer skills are essential. Strong grammar and writing skills are important.  The Faculty at UT Health Science Center CON are highly skilled in online education and are leaders in using distance technology in teaching/learning.
What are some tips to enhance my educational experience?

Obtain a diagnostic evaluation of your learning style. Numerous online engines offer this service at no cost. Simply enter "learning style assessment" into a search engine to locate these services.  Students admitted to the DNP Program have their learning style assessed prior to beginning classes. 

Evaluate your family, community, and work commitments and prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. The program requires commitment, and all students will need to make adjustments in their personal and professional lives to ensure success.

 

Oct 10, 2024