Nursing Administration Schools and Programs

Nurse Administration Career Overview

Nurse administrators, also known as medical and health service managers, are responsible for the supervision and business management end of the health care industry. They manage hospital or nursing home health care delivery systems, establish policies and procedures, implement new technologies and objectives, and can oversee the operation of a department within a hospital or the entire hospital itself. The nurse administrator is the functional CEO and the ability to organize resources and manage people is critical for success. The administrator isn't directly involved in patient care but sets the tone and standard of care that patients received. Because the field is constantly changing, administrators need to be flexible, assertive, and skilled enough to meet the evolving demands of the industry.

Education to Become a Nurse Administrator

Some employers prefer a nursing administrator with at least a bachelor's degree in nursing science or business as well as nursing experience. Other employers focus on management skills and require an advanced degree in public health, health sciences, business or public administration, or other management degrees in the general health field. While a bachelor's degree is usually the minimum requirement for smaller facilities, a master's degree is normally required in large hospitals and nursing homes. Nursing administrators are also required to pass a state licensing examination, receive continuing education, and complete a nursing administration program offered by the state.

Nurse Administrator Job Forecast and Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for nurse administrators between 2006 and 2016 is expected to grow faster than average. In 2008, mean annual wages ranged from $48,300 to $138,000 with compensation commensurate with the level of education, size of the facility, and budget of the hospital or department.