Professional Insight into Nursing Administration Graduate Programs
“Nursing Administrative positions can be highly rewarding. I have found my own positions, as Director of Nursing, Director of a Nursing Leadership Program, Healthcare Administrator, Director of Coaches, and now Chief Operating Officer, challenging and fulfilling. Having the opportunity to help other nurses develop their potential as well as to influence the direction of healthcare continues to provide meaning for my own career.”
- Dr. Leigh AnnBradley, Chief Operating Officer of The Healthcare Experience Foundation
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Available as graduate certificates, masters and doctorate degrees, Nursing Administration graduate degrees prepare nurses to meet the complex and evolving challenges facing administrators in the healthcare industry. Enrolling in a graduate level Nursing Administration program prepares students for leadership and management roles at the department and director level.
careers, prerequisites for Nursing Administration Graduate Programs are an RN license, bachelor's degree or equivalent in nursing administration for master's programs, and master's degree in nursing administration for doctoral degree programs. Other requirements might include clinical experience, a thesis, dissertation or practicum. Most programs require research.
Types of Nursing Administration Graduate Programs: Online or On Campus?
Prospective students have several ways to search for Nursing Administration Graduate Programs on GradSchools.com. If you specifically want a hands-on learning format, search for campus programs by location; use the city, state or country tabs to find graduate nursing schools. Otherwise, many colleges have faculty members who teach the traditional programs also teaching the online programs.
Types of Nursing Administration Graduate Degrees: Program Level
Refine your search depending on whether you are looking for a master’s in nursing administration, a graduate certificate to boost your credentials and competencies, or a doctorate degree. The GradSchools.com directory makes reviewing your options simple and efficient, as you can contact the graduate school from the site to request more information.
FUN FACT: Graduates of nursing administration programs can obtain certifications from the AONE (American Organization of Nurse Executives) and the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center)
Masters in Nursing Administration
If you aspire to a potential career in this specialization, earning a Masters in nursing administration would be the graduate degree to begin with. Nursing administration master's degree programs provide advanced education in nursing theory as well as a range of leadership and management skills. Students might find courses in hospital administration, financial management of nursing administration, nursing informatics and data analysis. Furthermore, some Nurse Administration masters programs are springboards to doctoral degrees. If this is the type of program you are searching, review listings such as RN-BSN-MSN Nursing Management and Executive Leadership, Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Executive Leader or Master of Science in Nursing- Health Care Systems Management.
Nursing Administration Graduate Certificates
Post-master’s programs are designed for nurses who have already completed a master’s degree in nursing. If this is the type of program you are searching, review listings such as Nurse Administration or Post-Master’s Certificate: Nursing Administration.
Nursing Administration Doctorate Programs
PhD Programs essentially research-oriented degrees where graduate students focus on understanding and improving health care organizational systems, nursing economics, patient care delivery and policy analysis. If this is the type of program you are searching, review listings such as Nursing Administration Doctorate Programs and DNP Systems Leadership
Potential Jobs and Salary For Nurse Administrators
A nursing administration graduate degree qualifies nurses for a variety of potential leadership positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers are in demand; employment in this field is projected to increase by 17% between 2014 and 2024, and the median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $92,810 in May 2014.[i] Nurse Executives work in hospitals, government, offices of physicians, home healthcare services and nursing care facilities. Job titles might include:
- Nurse Manager
- Clinical Director
- Director of Nursing
- Health and Social Service Manager
- Nursing Home Administrator
Nursing Administration Graduate Programs: The Next Step
If you are at all leadership oriented, earning a graduate degree in nursing administration is the educational path that may lead you to a promising career. Why not browse accredited colleges and universities to find the type of degree and learning format that aligns with your interests and goals!
Sources: [i] bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm | other sources: onetonline.org/link/summary/11-9111.00
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