Best Master's in Nursing Administration Programs

Applicants to master's degree programs in nursing administration are usually required to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution. Applicants to these programs are also typically already working as registered nurses (RNs), but some RNs may not hold a bachelor's degree. RNs without a bachelor's degree who wish to enter a nursing administration program can often pursue a school's RN to MSN bridge program that requires some additional coursework. Students with their BSN can pursue their MSN to further advance their nursing careers and take on roles with more leadership and responsibilities.

Admissions requirements for master's degree programs in nursing administration are a little different between institutions, so students should check the specific requirements for their desired program. Typically, applicants need to hold a BSN and a valid RN license to apply. Some programs require students to have at least 1 year of professional nursing experience that has been completed recently, such as within the last 5 years. Applicants may need to meet a minimum GPA requirement, usually around a 3.0 or above. There are not usually any required standardized test scores, but some programs have prerequisite coursework in areas such as statistics. Other common application materials for nursing administration programs include transcripts, letters of reference, a resume, and a personal essay/goal statement.

Students wondering how to choose between schools for nursing administration and on-campus programs for nursing administration should consider their schedules and goals. In addition to choosing between online and on-campus programs, students need to consider full-time vs. part-time formats and decide which fits better with their availability. To better prepare for their future career, some students may want as much hands-on learning experience as they can get. Some programs offer additional practicum experiences and other hands-on trainings that are unique. Lastly, students can consider personal preferences, such as class size, scholarship availability, and university resources when choosing a program.

Nursing administration master's programs commonly hold two levels of accreditation. Typically, the schools that offer these programs are regionally accredited from groups such as the Higher Learning Commission, which means the school has met general academic standards for all of their degree programs.

Often, degree programs at different levels and in different fields will have additional levels of accreditation that are specific to the subject area. In the case of nursing administration, many of these master's degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This means that the program has met nursing-specific standards to help prepare students for a career in nursing. This kind of accreditation may be preferred by some employers, as it demonstrates competency in the field.

Although nursing leadership certificates and other opportunities for developing leadership skills are available, earning a master's degree in nursing administration provides students with expertise in the field through extensive coursework. These programs usually require between 34 and 38 credits that are designed to further develop leadership skills and provide students with advanced skills in nursing practice and research.

These programs consist of diverse courses from areas such as business, nursing, and research, to prepare students for management positions. Many programs include hands-on learning opportunities and may conclude with a culminating experience of some kind. Below, we dig a little deeper into the kinds of courses students are likely to take.

Nursing Administration Foundational Courses

Many master's degree programs in nursing administration consist primarily of core courses in the field. These core courses are intended to give students a deeper understanding of the healthcare system and what it takes to lead and manage other nurses. Some of these core courses are more theory-based, while others help equip students with practical skills used in the real world. Depending on the program, students may take culminating courses, such as a seminar in project management or a nursing capstone course. Some programs also require a final, proctored exam. Other core nursing administration courses cover topics including:

• Healthcare informatics
• Strategic management and planning
• Legal and ethical issues in healthcare
• Nursing leadership
• Financial literacy for nursing leaders
• Communication and technology
• Quantitative business analysis
• Organizational behavior
• Healthcare policy and finance

Nursing Administration Specialist & Elective Courses

Many master's degree programs in nursing administration do not include elective courses in the curriculum. However, some programs offer at least one elective course to allow students to explore a topic that is of personal interest to them, but also pertinent to the field. Some programs also have electives built-in that give students the choice between one or more elective courses. For instance, students may be able to choose between a course in negotiation or management styles for a business elective.

Licensure & Certification in Nursing Administration

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is one of the primary sources for nursing certifications. The ANCC offers the Nurse Executive Board Certified (NE-BC) and the Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification (NEA-BC). The NE-BC is designed for those who oversee single groups of nurses and other small groups of staff and help make day-to-day decisions, while the NEA-BC is designed for higher leadership positions who oversee multiple groups of nurses and staff and participate in bigger picture decisions. Both certifications require professionals to apply and meet eligibility requirements, which are a combination of education, experience, and continuing education. There are many nursing administration continuing education options that can help students qualify for these certifications. Then, students must pass an exam. The certification lasts for 5 years and then must be renewed through a series of professional development options.

Several master's degree programs in nursing administration give students the opportunity for hands-on learning through integrated experience courses, applied practice courses, and practicum experiences. The main purpose of these hands-on learning experiences is to allow students to begin to see and experience how theory is applied to real-world situations. Practicum experiences are usually approved by a program coordinator and give students the chance to work in various healthcare settings under the supervision of a nurse executive. Students observe, analyze, and get to participate in various executive activities. Depending on the program, students may complete two separate practicum experiences that advance in skill and require a total of as much as 180 hours of practicum.

Graduates with their master's degree in nursing administration have several post-graduate options available if they decide to continue their education. Some graduates who are still interested in clinical work can pursue advanced nursing certificates in a specific specialty area, such as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate. Other graduates may go on to earn their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing. Some DNP programs offer an executive leadership track that is designed to prepare students for advanced nursing roles in leadership and research.

Career information for a degree in nursing administration primarily consists of leadership and management positions within the field of healthcare. Job titles and salaries for nursing administration graduates vary by employer and location, but in general, earning an MSN in the field helps advance students' careers in nursing. Graduates typically take on roles that oversee other nurses and perform additional administrative duties. They can still work in a range of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, community care centers, and more. Graduates are equipped to help their organization continue to provide quality care to patients and even work towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of their services. Some specific job titles for graduates include:

• Nurse manager
• Director of nursing
• Administrative nurse consultant
• Nurse leader
• Chief nursing officer

Job Outlook for a Master's in Nursing Administration

In general, the increased demand for healthcare services will likely help secure positions for those with a degree in nursing administration. Earning a master's degree in the field also helps qualify students for multiple positions, which increases job prospects. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook from 2019 to 2029 for medical and health services managers was 32%. This is much faster than the national average and those with a master's degree are likely to have the best prospects. It is also beneficial for these managers to have experience with healthcare IT systems. Other related administrative positions in the field of healthcare also have positive outlooks, such as administrative services and facilities managers, who had an outlook of 6% from 2019 to 2029.

How to Become a Medical and Health Services Manager

The BLS groups a variety of administrative and managerial positions within healthcare under the umbrella of medical and health services managers. Graduates with master's degrees are commonly preferred for positions as medical and health services managers, but some positions only require a bachelor's degree. They typically have a degree in health administration/management, nursing, or other closely related fields. These managers also need to have some prior work experience in healthcare, but this experience can be clinical or administrative. Professionals may begin their careers as nurses or in lower-level management roles. Depending on the position, there is likely professional certification available for managers to demonstrate their expertise in their specialty area.

Specific job duties for medical and health services managers vary by position, but in general, these managers use their leadership skills to manage staff and help their department, organization, or other group reach set goals. These professionals typically need to ensure that healthcare policies and regulations are being followed and that the area they oversee is operating within its designated budget. As of 2019, the BLS stated that medical and health services managers made a median annual salary of $100,980.

How to Become an Administrative Services and Facilities Manager

Some administrative services and facilities managers work in the field of healthcare, as well as other areas, like education and finance. Many administrative services and facilities managers need to have at least a bachelor's degree, but education requirements vary by employer. Some of these managers may only have a high school diploma and work experience. It is common for administrative services and facilities managers to have work experience in business operations, project management, administrative operations, or other related areas. This experience also needs to demonstrate their leadership abilities. Professional certifications in the field are available and can help managers stay competitive.

Again, the job duties of administrative services and facilities managers vary greatly by position, but these managers are primarily responsible for managing the activities that help organizations run smoothly. Facilities managers concentrate on maintaining the security and upkeep of a facility and equipment, while administrative services managers focus on administrative tasks, such as managing records. Per the BLS, as of 2019, administrative services and facilities managers made a median annual salary of $96,940.

Many graduate students need assistance to help pay for their education and can turn to several different forms of financial aid. Available federal and state loans and grants can be searched for using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provided by the government. Students can also check with their schools of interest for any potential tuition discounts, such as military benefits.

Scholarships are also available from colleges, universities, and other outside organizations. Some of these awards pertain to a specific subject matter, while others can be more general in nature and based on merit, financial need, demographics, or other factors. A couple of examples of scholarships available to students pursuing a master's in nursing administration include:

• Graduate Merit Scholarship- Adelphi University in New York offers an MSN in Nursing Administration and provides the Graduate Merit Scholarship to qualifying graduate students. The award is renewable and gives students between $3,000 and $10,000 for tuition.
• Nursing Economic$ Foundation Scholarships- The Nursing Economic$ Foundation provides 4 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 to graduate students studying nursing with an emphasis on administration. Students must be planning on entering a career in administration and must be an RN.