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What is Nursing Administration?

Nursing Administration is a branch of nursing emphasizing the management of healthcare organizations, leadership skills, and a passion for excellence within patient care.  Finding success within Nursing Administration requires attention to detail, problem solving skills, and strong management skills to resolve many issues that arise in a healthcare facility.  A Nursing Administrator must delicately balance technical skills, organizational know-how, and operational excellence with a professional, approachable demeanor.

A Nursing Administration can qualify for a number of roles that may include: Department Director, Nurse Educator, Nurse Executive, Quality Improvement Manager, Nurse Manager, Ambulatory Care Manager, Director of Nursing, Hospital CEO, or Chief Nursing Officer.  A Nursing Administration can work in a variety of settings public healthcare facilities to private healthcare facilities which can include ambulatory care clinics, hospitals, acute care facilities, home healthcare agencies, pharmaceutical companies, electronic medical records facilities, and durable medical equipment facilities.  The Nursing Administration profession fuses compassion, business, technology, science, and medicine into a fulfilling vocation.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$104,610

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

64.57%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

150,230

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Nursing Administration Degree

Yale University (New Haven, CT) is one of the oldest universities in the United States and it is recognized as one of the best. It is a member of the prestigious Ivy League. Yale has a long list of comprehensive undergraduate programs as well as highly ranked graduate programs including doctoral degrees. Nursing is one of the popular programs in the university. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Students who opt to further their studies through graduate programs can enhance their skills as a nurse professional and develop their skills as a leader in the nursing field. The school aims to educate future nurse leaders, scholars and practitioners while transforming the landscape of healthcare practice.  

Acceptance Rate

6.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Duke University (Durham, NC) is a private university that offers a wide range of academic programs for students to choose from. The university houses one of the top nursing schools across the United States. Duke University offers an accelerated bachelor’s as well as master’s programs on nursing. It also has a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP), and a Ph.D. Program. Duke University’s School of Nursing aims to produce graduates that are best in the field and a next generation of transformational leaders in nursing. The school values the quality of education, importance of research and innovation, and top notch healthcare training. 

Acceptance Rate

7.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) is recognized as a great institution of higher learning and research. Penn houses the first medical school and one of the pioneer centers of technological invention. Penn boasts an Ivy League quality of education for their Nursing programs. Penn offers a Nursing and Healthcare Administration master’s program. The program was a product of a combined effort of the School of Nursing, Wharton School of Business, and Organizational Dynamics Program. Students will learn more about operations management, healthcare consulting, or project management. The curriculum is also designed to allow students to adapt to administration in diverse healthcare settings. 

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN) is a private university with a very high research activity. Undergraduate students can choose from a wide variety of majors across four schools and colleges. The university also houses six graduate schools including School of Nursing which is recognized as a top nursing school in the United States. VU offers several graduate programs that are designed to help nursing administration leaders and professionals to be at the forefront in the nursing field. The university posts a lot of leadership and organizational opportunities for its students through engagements with world-renowned experts and health care resources.

Acceptance Rate

9.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) is a public university notable for its quality education, active research and world-class medical healthcare programs. Students can enroll as part-time or full-time students. JHU is also one of the top schools of nursing that gets high nursing research funding from the National Institutes of Health. The school offers several doctoral programs for those who are interested to be industry leaders. The School of Nursing aims to provide the best healthcare through leadership and excellence. 

Acceptance Rate

11.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, GA) is the oldest public university in the state. The university is recognized for its academic excellence and research activities. The university is affiliated with the University of Michigan Health System which is a great contributor for providing training and education to medical and allied health students. The School of Nursing offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral degrees and is one of the 13 schools and colleges in the U of M. The nursing graduate programs have been consistently ranking among the best in the country. Interested applicants can choose between clinically focused or nursing leadership degree programs.  This can help students to be more hands-on and competent in the nursing discipline they want to pursue.

Acceptance Rate

22.91

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Emory University (Atlanta, GA) is a private university that provides a long list of academic programs for students of both undergraduate and graduate studies. It is organized into nine schools and colleges. The university is affiliated with Emory Healthcare which is the largest healthcare system in GA assisting Emory to provide top notch medical and allied health programs. Emory’s School of Nursing Administration offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees. It also provides accelerated programs and post graduate certificates. The university has a wide range of opportunities for students and nursing professionals to further their skills and knowledge on the discipline. The school's aims to produce nurse leaders through their transformational education, collaborative efforts, and research programs.  

Acceptance Rate

15.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

New York University (New York, NY) is a private research university recognized across the country and around the globe. Programs are organized across 16 colleges, institutions, and schools. The university is also known for its top notch healthcare professional programs. Aside from clinical focus, the university also programs for health administration. NYU’s Nursing Administration degree program leads to a master’s degree for interested students. The program aims to produce nurse leaders that can take on advanced leadership roles in contemporary complex healthcare organizations. Courses for this program will explore instructions on nursing, leadership, management, and business.

Acceptance Rate

16.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Villanova University (Villanova, PA) is a private Catholic higher education institution that offers a wide range of academic disciplines. It is considered the oldest Catholic university in the state. The university offers a wide range of career opportunities for students and nursing professionals. The M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing houses programs that focus on clinical skills as well as educational and leadership courses. VU offers comprehensive graduate programs that are designed to prepare nurse professionals to be educators of the nursing practice and leaders in the industry. 

Acceptance Rate

28.24

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

University of California-Davis (Davis, CA) houses nationally ranked academic programs across a wide variety of disciplines. The university is particularly known for its agricultural and environmental programs and it is dubbed to be a “farming school”. UC-Davis has four undergraduate colleges and a graduate school. The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing provides professional studies for nursing practitioners. It has a variety of master’s and doctoral programs that can help students to further their skills and knowledge about the profession. The school aims to prepare students with relevant knowledge about the rapidly evolving health-care environment and hone them as a new breed of health-care leaders. 

Acceptance Rate

38.87

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

George Washington University (Washington, DC) has a variety of programs that can be beneficial while working alongside leaders of politics, science, law and many other disciplines. GWU’s School of Nursing has bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It also has professional programs for those who aim to enhance knowledge and skills. Nursing Leadership and Management is offered as a master’s program. Students will be exposed to a wide range of courses that can help them improve their leadership skills. Business functions in clinical practice management, health care coaching, health economics and finance, study research methods, and current policy issues are just some of the expected instructions. Students are also given a chance to practice their leadership skills through practicums. 

Acceptance Rate

40.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, TX) is a private Christian university that fosters a liberal arts curriculum. The university also has a highly active research program. The university offers a wide range of programs allowing students to take double majors. Nursing and Education are some of the popular majors in TCU. Nursing Administration & Leadership is a master’s degree program in the university. The program expects the graduate to gain critical knowledge, skills, and abilities to manage and lead nursing units or departments across different settings. Applicants for this program are required to have clinical experience before admission. The program is expected to be finished within two to three years and courses are delivered through online format.  

Acceptance Rate

47.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

University of Washington-Seattle Campus (Seattle, WA) is a premier public research university. It is also the largest college in the northwestern region of the country. UW is also one of the institutions to receive the biggest amounts of federal funding for university-based research. The School of Nursing has a Master of Science program focused on Clinical Informatics and Patient-Centered Technologies. This graduate program is open to students regardless of their undergraduate majors. The program aims to help students to understand, promote, and implement the increasing role of technology in clinical settings. For full time students, the program will only take 15 months. The CIPCT program is offered jointly with the UW School of Medicine which is recognized as one of best in primary care education and medical research in the United States. 

Acceptance Rate

51.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Baylor University (Waco, TX) is a private research university affiliated to the Baptist church. It is known to be the biggest Baptist university in the world. Baylor awards both undergraduate and graduate degrees including doctoral and professional degrees. Baylor provides a flexible and accessible program designed to allow industry professionals to enhance their skills. The Louise Herrington School of Nursing is managed by the university and it offers a wide variety of nursing programs. Executive Nursing Leadership is a track under the Doctor of Nursing Practice. The program is facilitated through the school’s online platform. Graduates are expected to gain executive knowledge and competencies in influential leadership, data-driven business strategy, and transformative care models.

Acceptance Rate

45.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

University of San Diego (San Diego, CA) is a private university that offers a long list of academic programs across a variety of academic disciplines. The university has been ranked among the best in the country for the quality of education and services it provides the community. It also has an active research program. Hahn School of Nursing & Health Sciences has a variety of nursing programs. These programs have a comprehensive curriculum. Nursing courses are taught using state-of-the-art technology and innovative teaching. The school focuses on providing graduate programs that prepares graduates to be leaders across a variety of nursing fields. 

Acceptance Rate

48.69

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY) is a public university known for its academic programs related to medical and health professions. The university was named as one of the “top 100 best national universities” in the country according to the U.S. News and World Report. The university is equipped with cutting edge facilities allowing students to learn essential skills and knowledge about the nursing practice. Nursing education and nursing leadership programs lead to a master’s degree. Students who want to pursue further studies can also take advanced certification programs for these disciplines. Graduates are expected to be competent nursing educators and industry leaders. 

Acceptance Rate

44.15

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

California State University-Long Beach (Long Beach, CA) is a public university and one of the 23 schools under the California state system. The university grants bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The university also houses highly-ranked undergraduate and graduate programs. CSULB is one of the universities that offer the lowest student tuition rate in the state. The School of Nursing offers undergraduate programs, master’s, and post master’s programs. Graduate studies provides students the opportunities to develop particular nursing skills and become competent industry leaders. 

Acceptance Rate

39.27

Student to Faculty Ratio

23:1

Fairfield University (Fairfield, CT) is a Catholic university offering bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees through its five schools and colleges. One of these five is the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. It offers one of the most popular programs in the university - nursing. The school offers a traditional nursing track and an Accelerated Second Degree Nursing. The university recently launched an Accelerated Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing which focuses on preparing professional nurses for registered nursing practice and leadership. Graduates can take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse.

Acceptance Rate

57.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN) is a recognized public university with an active research program. UMN is considered as a Public Ivy. The university is the oldest and largest university under the public system and it is organized into 19 colleges, schools, and other major academic units. The university’s School of Nursing is one of the first and oldest continuously operated university-based schools that offers nursing programs. UMN also offered the one for the first DNP programs in Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Nursing Informatics and Health Innovation and Leadership. HIL is a specialty program that is designed to prepare students to become leaders in the industry by providing innovative solutions for health care. The programs include collaborative practice, systems theory and design thinking practices. 

Acceptance Rate

56.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY) is one of the flagship universities under the SUNY system. It is also known as the largest campus among 64 campuses. UB fosters a culture of creativity and resourceful thinking. The institution allows students to choose from a wide range of academic disciplines to learn and explore. The university is also home to innovative inventions, particularly in the medical field. School of Nursing has a Master’s in Nursing Leadership and Health Care Systems program that prepares nursing undergraduates to assume leadership and executive roles in the industry. Leadership and management are the essential skills to be developed in this program. The program will equip students with knowledge and skills in the fast-paced health care environment.

Acceptance Rate

61.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Union University (Jackson, TN) is a private evangelical Christian university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs. The university is recognized as a top tier university, ranking consistently among the best. The Doctor of Nursing Practice is offered in Union University. The program specializes on executive leadership, nurse anesthesia, and nurse practitioner disciplines. Administration is one of the tracks offered under the master’s degree track. The university offers a part time and 16-month full time graduate nursing administrative curriculum for professional nurses. Christian teachings play an important role on the program curriculum.  Interested students can also earn a dual-degree between MSN and Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

Acceptance Rate

52.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Sacred Heart University (Fairfield, CT) is a private Catholic university that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. SHU has campuses in Dingle, Ireland and Luxembourg that offer undergraduate programs. The College of Nursing offers Master’s degrees - Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Management and Executive Leadership, and Nursing Education. These programs prepare students to be industry leaders and competent nursing educators. All graduate programs are offered online, thus, students can have flexibility to access program courses. 

Acceptance Rate

63.92

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT) is a public research university. It is also the flagship university under the Utah System of Higher Education. The university offers undergraduate and graduate levels of education including DNP programs for nursing professionals. The College of Nursing aims to provide top-notch education, relevant research, and quality clinical care to students and the community. The college offers a variety of nursing programs that assists students and nurse professionals to be leaders, scholars, and educators in the field. 

Acceptance Rate

62.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL) is a co-educational private university. It offers bachelor’s degree programs and several master’s degree programs. Students have the freedom to choose their major among the wide range of academic disciplines the university offers. Instructions are mostly related to the medical field and sciences. Nursing Administration leads to an MSN degree. Students under this program are trained to assume leadership roles across the nursing and health care industry. Graduates are expected to integrate education and research into a practice. 

Acceptance Rate

45.62

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Loyola University-Chicago (Chicago, IL) is a private university that has a Roman Catholic affiliation. The university has a long list of undergraduate programs and graduate or professional programs. LUC has several campuses across Chicago and one in Rome. It also offers guest programs in Beijing and Ho Chi Minh City. The Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing offers an MSN in Nursing & Health Care Administration program. The program prepares the next generation of nursing leaders and executives with the clinical and administrative skills. The university is affiliated with a variety of organizations posting career and internship opportunities to students. 

Acceptance Rate

67.22

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Educational Requirements for Nurse Administrators

In terms of educational requirements, Nursing Administration degree holders will have typically studied the following courses while in college:

Skills & Abilities Required in Healthcare Administration

  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Instructing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Oral Expression
  • Oral Comprehension
  • Speech Recognition
  • Written Comprehension

Top Nursing Administrator Degrees

Typically, nursing administrators will need a bachelor’s degree to enter the field.  However, with the plethora of graduate degree programs in healthcare management, more and more institutions are hiring nursing administrators with an advanced degree.  The range of programs for a nursing administrator include a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and doctorate degree.

Bachelor Degree in Nursing Administration

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is known as a BSN degree or BScN degree.  Other nomenclature for a bachelor’s degree in nursing is a Bachelor of Science (BS) with an Emphasis in Nursing or a Bachelor of Nursing (BN).  In either case, you can recognize the acronyms and know that the Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a robust academic program and constructed for students to establish a nursing career in a variety of healthcare applications.

Online BSN degrees will take students 4 years to complete on a full-time basis.  Most programs are split in two parts with the first half including an array of general education courses while the second half offers myriad nursing theories, practices, methodologies, and principles.  The culmination of the BSN program is to ensure students can successfully pass the NCLEX-RN examination. to help them successfully take and pass the NCSBN administered NCLEX-RN examination.

The 5 most common bachelor degrees in nursing include:

  1. Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  2. Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
  3. LPN to BSN or LVN to BSN – A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  4. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  5. Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Typical nursing classes in an Online BSN Nursing Degree:
Master Degree in Nursing Administration

The Master of Science in Nursing or MSN degree is constructed to aid working professionals and students achieve greater career advancement through rigorous coursework and deep research.  The online MSN degree program is a one to two-year degree track which is extended if students elect to enroll in a joint degree such as public health, healthcare administration, or MBA.  A joint degree is an additional area of concentration increasing the value and credibility of a master’s degree in nursing.  The 4 most common types of Master of Science in Nursing degrees are the:

  1. Direct Entry MSN
  2. Post Master’s Certificate
  3. RN to MSN
  4. Post-Certificate Master’s

Nurses who have earned an MSN degree are known as Advanced Practice Nurses or an APN.  The level of responsibilities and independence afforded to Advance Practice Nurses is similar to that of a medical doctor a generation ago.  The 4 most common types of APN’s are:

  1. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
  2. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA)
  3. Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNP)
  4. Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)

Nursing Specialties for MSN Degrees:

Doctorate Degree in Nursing Administration

The Doctor of Nursing Science degree program is a doctorate degree in nursing equivalent to a PhD in nursing.  The DNS program is recognized by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education and the as equal to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing.  The Doctor of Nursing Science is commonly associated with the acronym DNS along with lesser known nomenclature for this degree such as DScN, DSN, and DNSc.  Acronyms notwithstanding, the Doctor of Nursing Science degree program is a terminal degree program in nursing rooted in theory and research.  The 3 primary online doctorate programs are the:

1.   Doctorate of Nursing Education (DNE) Degree

2.   Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS) Degree

3.   Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree

Typical career opportunities for PhD Nurses:

Nurse Administrator Certifications

A bevvy of nursing administrator certifications exists for qualified candidates. The eligibility requirements and programs will vary by certifying institution. Examples of nursing administrator certification bodies include: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACCN), American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the American Board of Managed Care Nursing (ABMCN).

Typically, a certification is obtained by a nurse administrator to advance the field of study, upskill, career advancement, and an increase in compensation. A sampling of nurse administrator certifications include:

  • Certified Nurse Manager & Leader (CNML)
  • Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)
  • Certified Health Service Administrator (CHSA)
  • Certified Hospice Administrator (CHA)
  • Certified Palliative Care Administrator (CPCA)
  • Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)
  • Certified Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
  • Certified Care Coordination and Transition Management (CCTM)
  • Certified in Managed Care Nursing (CMCN)
  • Certified Occupational Health Nursing Case Management (CM)
  • Certified Corrections Nurse/Manager (CNN/M)
  • Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM)

How Long will it Take to Earn a Nursing Administration Degree?

The two-part answer to determine the length of time it takes to earn a college degree depends on the college or university and you. The college will establish a set of curriculum in conjunction with accreditation bodies and state institutions to arrive at an acceptable set of courses necessary to succeed in nursing administration. You can control the number of classes taken and whether attending part-time or full-time is best for you. If degree programs are taken on a full-time basis, you can expect degree programs follow these patterns:

  • Associate Degree: 2-years
  • Bachelors Degree: 4-years, 3-years for direct entry
  • Masters Degree: 2-years with bachelors degree
  • Doctorate Degree: 3-years to 5-years with graduate degree
  • Professional Certification: 4 weeks to a year depending on the program

Can I Earn a Nursing Administration Degree Online?

Despite the fact that nursing is a hands-on, high touch field, there are a large number of accredited colleges and universities that offer online learning opportunities. Online learning modalities will allow students to complete core curriculum and general education studies remotely and clinical experiences will be taken at a local hospital or medical institution. From the list below, you can readily ascertain the large number of accredited schools that offer online nursing administration degrees. Simply begin your research by finding schools of interest to you and request information today.

Is Accreditation for Nursing Schools Important?

Accreditation is a must for any nursing school or higher education institution.  A college or university earning regional or national accreditation is an indication the program meets or exceeds nationally published nursing education standards.  Accreditation bodies are independent, third-party providers that vet a nursing program for quality of instruction, policies, and procedures.  In order to sit for the NCLEX examination to earn a nursing license, a school must be accredited by a recognized accreditation body and be state-approved.  Only after earning a degree and successfully passing the NCLEX examination, can you apply for nursing licensure in your state of residence.

Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Data & Administration Specializations

For students that earn a college degree in Nursing Administration, there are several fields of specialization that one can pursue. The options range from Department Director, Nurse Educator, Nurse Executive, Quality Improvement Manager, Nurse Manager, Ambulatory Care Manager, Director of Nursing, Hospital CEO, or Chief Nursing Officer, dental hygienist, Registered Nurse (RN), post-secondary teacher, researcher, registered nurse, EMT, LPN, LVP, and physician assistant to name a few possible career tracks.

Job Growth, Salary, and Related Healthcare Fields

The job growth in the greater Nursing Administration domain are well above average. For example, the rate of job growth for a Registered Nurse is expected to rise 16% through 2024 and Nursing Administration a brisk 17% growth rate is expected during the same period. Given the nature of the Nursing Administration degree, compensation after graduation can vary greatly from career field to career field given prior experience and geographic location. Related fields include teaching, research, genomics, immunology, radiobiology, neuroanatomy, pharmacology, nursing, medical science, and microbiology.

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