Admissions: Post-Degree Options
Business of Nursing

The Hopkins Business of Nursing is designed to address the changing financial and managed care challenges facing nurses, and to prepare them for current and expanding roles in the increasingly complex environment of integrated health services.

This 12-credit, 10-month post-baccalaureate and post-master's option, a partnership between Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing and Carey Business School, applies the theory and practice of sound business principles to the organization of care delivery, and to the clinical and financial outcomes of care. The program is designed to address the changing financial and managed care challenges facing nurses, and to prepare them for current and expanding roles in the increasingly complex environment of integrated health services.

Today's nurses occupy a pivotal position in the changing environment of health care management. With constantly evolving delivery and financing modes, nurses need to understand and provide quality care in a cost-effective manner. In addition, emerging developments in managed care make it essential for health care professionals to successfully integrate sound business and management skills with advanced clinical skills.

The health care system is rapidly being reconfigured, and new structures and processes are emerging for its delivery and financing. In the future, integrated health systems will be prime models, providing services to both individuals and groups across a lifespan and the full continuum of care.

Through its innovative content and structure, Hopkins Business of Nursing program:

• Teaches the essential skills needed to advance and succeed in managed-care settings
• Allows nurses to expand their career options in today's dynamic marketplace
• Complements a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing

The Hopkins Business of Nursing is offered one evening a week in a three-hour session. Each of the four courses is 10 weeks in length. The 12-credit are designed to be completed within 10 months and begins in September of each year.

Admission Requirements

• Application w/ Goal Statement
• Current RN License
• Clinical experience
• Baccalaureate degree from a National League for Nursing (NLN) accredited program (or its equivalent)
• A satisfactory grade point average (3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale in course work)
• Official college transcript
• A current resume or curriculum vitae
• An interview may be requested
• Two letters of recommendation

Those who have not yet earned master's degrees in nursing and/or business, may upon acceptance to the appropriate school, apply all or some of these courses toward the MSN in Health Systems Management, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or the joint degree MSN in Health Systems Management/MBA.

Program Curriculum

Courses	Credits
Emerging Health Care Systems and Concepts	3
Managing Financial Outcomes	3
Managing Clinical Outcomes	3
Synthesis and Integration of Nursing and Business	3
Total	12

Emerging Health Care Systems and Concepts 300.501 (3 credits)
By examining current and emerging structures and processes for the delivery and financing of health care, this course provides an overall view of managed care. Through case studies, analytical exercises, and computer-based instruction, students explore the design and implementation of the developing modes of health care delivery costs. Topics include: capitation, negotiation, managing risk, strategic planning, and legal/ethical issues.

Managing Financial Outcomes 300.502 (3 credits)
To gain a better understanding of the changing financial environment of health care, students learn practical skills and use computer-based exercises to assess external threats and opportunities, and financial risks and rewards, as well as how to forecast and influence favorable patient outcomes. Topics include: accounting and balance sheet fundamentals, internal cost calculations and allocations, the time/value of money, cash flow, financial statements, risk assessment, developing databases, and negotiating a financial agreement.

Managing Clinical Outcomes 300.503 (3 credits)
Students review clinical information systems and examine outcomes through case studies. Group projects and presentations allow participants to develop skills in the analysis, management, and presentation of clinical outcomes information. Emphasis is placed on the ability to critically analyze information and develop appropriate managerial strategies to enhance clinical systems. Topics include: overview of patient outcomes, infrastructure for clinical outcomes, sources of outcome standards, and measuring and predicting outcomes.

Synthesis and Integration of Nursing and Business 300.504 (3 credits)
Students apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the first three courses. Using newly acquired verbal, written, and electronic skills while working in teams, participants incorporate cutting-edge concepts, topics, and practices into a comprehensive business plan for executive presentation. Presentations cover the spectrum of clinical, financial, and evaluative approaches and practices designed to provide effective business tools for tomorrow's nurse leaders.

Why Study the Business of Nursing?

"Today's nurses occupy a critical position in the changing environment of health care management. With the expansion of managed care programs and developments such as long-term care, home health care, shorter hospital stays, and specialized rehabilitation programs, it is essential that nurses can integrate sound business and management skills with their advanced clinical skills."

- Stella Shiber, Ph.D., RN, former JHUSON associate dean

"As a manager at Johns Hopkins Hospital, I was continually challenged by the diverse demands of my role. My professional experience provided me with strong clinical and management skills that led to a common sense approach. But in today's changing health care environment, I needed more. The BON program helped me to develop a foundation of sound business principles and practices that I could rely upon to make both routine decisions and those that may have potential resounding implications."

- Peggy Hamilton, RN, BSN, Nurse Recruiter for the Johns Hopkins Hospital

"More than ever before, nurses today are deeply involved with managing a patient's total care. In order for a nurse to oversee the total spectrum of a patient's care, he or she needs to understand how to provide quality care that is also cost-effective."

- Patricia DeLorenzo, former senior director of business/medical programs for Carey Business School.

"Numerous employment opportunities exist in hospital settings and beyond for nurses with a business background," "The Hopkins Business of Nursing program will allow nurses to gain a better understanding of the changing financial health care environment as well as learn how to forecast and influence favorable patient outcomes."

- Maryann Fralic, DrPH, RN, JHUSON Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations