Ohio State launches new Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Strategy in Healthcare program

As healthcare organizations navigate workforce challenges, operational complexity and rapid transformation, the need for nurse leaders who can think strategically, and lead change has never been greater.

To help meet that need, The Ohio State University College of Nursing has launched a new Leadership and Strategy in Healthcare specialty within its Master of Science in Nursing program. Applications are currently being accepted for Spring 2027 enrollment.

This online program is designed for registered nurses who want to expand their influence beyond direct patient care. Graduates will be prepared to lead teams, improve systems and shape the future of healthcare through evidence-based leadership and strategic decision-making.

"Today's healthcare environment requires leaders who can navigate complexity while keeping patients, clinicians and communities at the center of every decision," said Penelope Gorsuch, Col (ret), DNP, RN, NEA-BC, EBP (CH), FACHE, director of the Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Strategy in Healthcare program. "This program equips nurses with the leadership and strategic capabilities to drive organizational transformation, improve patient, workforce and system outcomes, and help healthcare organizations thrive amid evolving challenges and opportunities."

This specialty integrates advanced leadership development with strategic business and systems thinking, preparing graduates for formal leadership roles across healthcare settings. Students gain expertise in organizational leadership, workforce engagement, healthcare operations, innovation, quality improvement and system-level decision-making to improve patient, workforce and organizational outcomes.

What distinguishes the program is its emphasis on experiential learning. Students complete 525 hours of immersion and leadership practicum experiences, working alongside executive and organizational leaders in diverse healthcare environments. These experiences allow students to apply classroom learning to real-world challenges.

Completing this specialty creates a pathway to leadership positions such as nurse manager, director, ambulatory clinic manager, population health manager and service line leaders. This new specialty builds on Ohio State's longstanding reputation for excellence in nursing education and its nationally recognized Master of Science in Nursing program. Students learn from expert faculty who bring extensive healthcare leadership and strategic expertise to the classroom.

As healthcare organizations continue to seek leaders capable of addressing increasingly complex challenges, the College of Nursing is committed to preparing nurses who can drive meaningful change across the healthcare system.