Nursing Administration Degree - Online and Campus Programs

Nursing administrators manage the operations of a heath care facility's nursing staff. You may participate in the recruiting, training, or day-to-day management of a team of nurses and nursing assistants. Other professional administrators focus their careers in nursing home administration. You need extensive nursing experience to advance to the top administration roles in most health care organizations.

Preparing for a Career in Nursing Administration

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nurses and other health services managers advance to leadership roles by combining practical experience with the completion of an advanced degree or management certificate. Staff promotions are common. Some hospitals and health care facilities provide educational assistance or scholarships to qualified nursing administration candidates. Your administrator career can include employment with hospitals, nursing care corporations, clinics, or with medical consulting companies.

Nursing Administration Education Requirements

Nurses can advance to administration roles by completing a registered nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, or by graduating from a master's degree program in nursing administration or health care management. Top administrators can elect to complete a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in management or business with a health care orientation.

Salary Range and Job Outlook for Nursing Administrators

According to the BLS, jobs for health services managers are expected to grow by 16 percent during the 2008--2018 decade. Opportunities will be good for job applicants with business management skills and health care experience, especially for professionals with experience in large hospitals. The median 2008 wage for medical and health services managers was $80,240 with the top 10% earning $137,800.