This project is supported in part by funds from the Division of Nursing (DN), Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) under grant number,6 D09 HP 00049-01 and titled, CHN, NA & NI Distributive Education for Rural Nurses, in the total awarded amount of $1,287,683. The information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should be any endorsements be inferred by the Division of Nursing, BHPr, DHHS or the US Government."

The rapidly changing health care delivery system is creating a pressing need for nurses with advanced knowledge and skills to provide leadership for reshaping nursing and health care in communities and health care organizations. The Health Systems Nurse Specialist (HSNS) program prepares nurses for leadership in one of three specialty areas: Public-Community Health Nursing, Nursing Administration, or Nursing Informatics. The three specialties share a core of system-focused courses from which the knowledge and practice of each specialty is built.

This program is flexible and can be tailored to meet each student's educational and career goals. A variety of interactive distance learning strategies will be used throughout the program.

This program helps to prepare graduates to take certification examinations in their specialty; experience requirements vary among the three specialties (Public-Community Health Nurse, Nursing Administration, Nursing Informatics).

These advanced practice nurses lead in case management, health programming, community development, and health policy in settings such as HMO's health departments, nursing centers, home health, occupational health, schools, and ambulatory care.

To learn more about the HSNS program . . .