Nursing Administration Degrees

Nursing administration is a sub field within the ever changing and ever evolving health care industry. It primarily involves delivering high quality and efficient patient care, supervising and overseeing nursing teams and coordinating various tasks at workplace.

Master of Science in Nursing Administration is normally taken up by Licensed Nurses who want to further their career through advanced level training. Nursing administration degree programs are not only pursued in conventional class room settings but can also be taken up as distance learning courses, giving you the flexibility and freedom to study according to your  own schedule.

Program Curriculum

The curriculum is based on different disciplines including nursing, management and business. You’ll typically be required to take up core courses along with some specialization courses that allow you to tailor your studies in accordance with your professional goals. Some courses that you may come across include:

Core Courses

• Professional Nursing Practice Framework, Scope, and Role
• Evidence-Based Practice in Health Promotion and Disease Management and Prevention
• Diversity and Advocacy in Professional Nursing Practice
• Advanced Nursing Leadership and Management

Specialization Courses

• Leadership and Management for Nurse Executives
• Leading the Future of Health Care
• Advanced Finance and Operations Management
• Health Care Informatics and Technology
• Long Term Care Administration

As part of the curriculum, some schools may require you to get involved in an administrative practicum or acquire some research experience. Opportunities may be found in clinical teaching centers and organizations that influence health care policy and regulations.

Program Objectives

A degree in nursing administration is intended to equip students with many skills like organization development, administration, management, employee relations and basic finance.

Nursing administration degree objectives include but are not restricted to:

• Understand and apply health care policy and regulation
• Integrate professional health care ethics and legal standards
• Learn about the essential management and leadership skills in professional nursing practice
• Ensure high quality and efficient patient care
• Use evidence base practice for disease prevention, disease management and health care profession

Employment Outlook

A number of factors determine the type and level of employment one will find but as a general guide, following is a list of some positions that may be taken up by those who’ve completed a Master of Science in Nursing Administration:

• Nurse Educators
• Nurse Administrator/ Manager
• Director of nursing
• Chief Nursing Officer
• Director of Wellness Program

Potential workplaces may include:

• Hospitals
• Home Health Care Agencies
• Long Term Care Centers
• Community or Technical Colleges
• Health Clinics

According to O*NET online, in 2012, medical and health service managers earned an hourly median wage of $42.59 and an annual median wage of $88,580. Statistics show that it’s a fast growing occupation with a forecasted growth rate of 20% to 28% during 2010 to 2020.