How to Get a Master's Degree in Nursing Administration

Historic demand for health care services is challenging medical institutions to manage resources more effectively and streamline care delivery. Nurse administrators play a critical role in this effort, coordinating the nursing staff responsible for front line patient care, providing medical supplies and equipment, managing the cost of nursing care, and preparing to meet future needs.

A master's degree in nursing administration trains nurses in the applied business skills necessary to manage health care resources effectively. Programs are designed to meet the needs of working nurses--in many cases you can earn a master's degree online, completing targeted projects relevant to your nursing role.

WorldWideLearn.com introduces you to the world of graduate nursing administration education. The step-by-step guide takes you through the process of planning your master's degree in the context of your career goals.

Guide to Master's Degrees in Nursing Administration

Graduate nursing administration programs train nurses to confront the resource management challenges facing the health care sector today. The degree focuses on the application of business fundamentals within a health care context. Courses focus on the "administrative structures, processes, and outcomes that facilitate nursing practice," with training in strategic planning, safety and quality assurance, regulatory requirements, staff management, clinical documentation and information systems, and health care finance.

Professional and Academic Master's Degrees

Nursing administration is an applied discipline with both theoretical and business foundations. Different master's degrees have evolved to emphasize the professional and academic aspects of the discipline. Your options include:

• Master of Science (MS) in Nursing Administration. This MS is modeled on academic science master's degrees and culminates in a research project or master's thesis.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in Nursing Administration. The MSN is an advanced professional nursing degree with an emphasis on clinical training.
• Master of Health Administration (MHA).The MHA takes a broader view of health administration, incorporating hospital and clinic administration, health policy, and other issues outside the immediate purview of nursing.
• Joint Degrees in Nursing Administration. Joint degrees such as the MSN-MBA (Master of Business Administration) and the MSN-MPA (Master of Public Administration) offer a deeper immersion in business or public policy skills related to nursing administration.

There is considerable overlap among these degrees, but generally speaking the MS features a more theoretical and research-based curriculum, while the MSN, MHA, and dual master's degrees focus on professional practice and clinical training. Both degrees are available via digital graduate education format for working nurses who want to earn a master's degree online.

Nurse Administration Specializations

No matter which master's degree you pursue, you have an opportunity to deepen your knowledge in a specific issue or feature of nursing administration. You can specialize by pursuing elective coursework, a clinical internship, or independent research in your field of interest.

Nursing administration specializations include:

• Nursing informatics. The application of computer technology to all fields of nursing-- nursing services, nurse education, and nursing research. Informatics specialists focus on the digitization of patient information, nursing best practices, and more.
• Nursing administration theory. Focuses on the theoretical underpinnings of nursing administration as well as emerging paradigm shifts and future trends.
• Nursing financial management. Includes cost management, staff compensation, budgeting, and other financial planning activities as they relate to the nursing function.
• Nursing management. Encompasses both personnel management and strategic administrative management. Administrative managers focus on data analysis and decision-making.
• Quality of nursing care. The policies and administrative structures crucial to the safe and effective delivery of patient care.
• Nursing policy analysis. Studies the public and health care business policies that ensure accountability, quality of patient care, cost management, and more.

Different programs emphasize different areas of specialization, based on resident faculty, local health care employer needs, and interdepartmental affiliations.

Career Tracks in Nursing Administration

A master's degree in nursing administration prepares you for mid-level and senior-level administrative roles at a clinic, hospital, or public health nonprofit. An MSN or MS qualifies you for administrative jobs such as:

• Nurse manager
• Director of nursing
• Project director
• Manager of clinical operations
• Case manager
• Outcomes manager
• Health policy specialist
• Nurse staff development consultant

Alternatively, you can teach nurse administration as either a staff instructor or as a nursing school professor. The academic professor career path requires a PhD in nursing administration, which helps prepare you to pursue original research and scholarship in nursing administration.

Opportunities for nursing administrators are "excellent," according to the U.S. Department of Labor. As health care services face rising demand, hospitals and other health care facilities will rely on trained administrators to manage limited resources while preserving quality of care.

Plan for a Master's Degree in Nursing Administration

A master's degree in nursing administration prepares you to take on leadership responsibility in the face of historic challenges to the health care system. To make sure your graduate education serves your professional goals, it's crucial to research programs and establish a strong support network. Follow these steps to success:

Step One: Find the Right Graduate Nursing Administration Program

The right graduate nursing administration program should align perfectly with your unique professional goals. Look for a master's degree with the right quality standards, program format, and resources for you. The following four stages can help you identify the perfect fit.

1. List Accredited Programs

Begin by accessing directories of accredited master's degree programs in order to survey your options. Be sure the programs you consider are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or an approved academic accreditation agency. Accreditation is an important baseline measure of educational quality--it impacts the value of your degree and your eligibility to receive federal financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a list of approved regional and national accreditation agencies.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com offers a searchable directory of its education partners; all are accredited and meet other quality benchmarks. Search Degrees by Subject for online master's degrees in nursing administration.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a professional accreditation authority for graduate nursing schools, maintains a searchable database of CCNE-accredited programs.

The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) also features a searchable database of nursing master's degrees.

2. Choose Program Format: Campus or Online Master's Degree?

Graduate nursing administration programs cater to a student body made up of both mid-career professionals and recent undergraduates. In view of this diversity, nursing schools offer the option to earn a master's degree online or on campus.

• Online degrees are ideal for working adults pursuing a master's degree alongside work and family obligations. Digital graduate education allows flexible, self-paced coursework. Many online programs take advantage of the student's work situation to incorporate clinical research projects and hands-on training.

• Campus programs work well for recent graduates or aspiring academics, both of whom rely on easy access to campus facilities and clinics. Campus degrees also support face-to-face interaction with faculty and peers, which in turn provides more opportunity for collaborative work and practical training.

Both program formats offer unique advantages--let your professional objectives, lifestyle, and learning preferences guide you to the right format for you.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com represents both online and campus-based degree programs. Find information and links to programs with your chosen format. "Degrees by Location" lets you search for campus graduate programs in your area.

This important stage of your program research takes you into the details of each program on your list. Consider the following factors and their importance to you, keeping in mind your career goals:

• Curriculum and Specializations
• Degree Format and Requirements
• Faculty Areas of Interest
• Clinical Rotations and Internship Opportunities
• Research Facilities and Resources
• Student Life

Whether you choose a clinical or an academic program, it's important to identify a faculty mentor with expertise in your field of interest. In addition to gaining knowledge and a professional contact, you could have access to the research or institutional resources you need to pursue specialized study.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com facilitates your program research by putting you in touch with schools that match your criteria. Fill out an online form indicating your program preferences, and the system identifies prospective hits. Enter your contact information to speak directly with a school representative who can answer your questions about the program.

School Web sites feature a wealth of information--course descriptions, specializations, degree requirements, clinical resources, and campus facilities. Some sites also link to faculty resumes and publications, so you can explore the background and research interests of your potential mentors.

Informational interviews help you assess the educational environment and resources from an inside perspective. Talk to faculty, current graduate students, and alumni. If possible, arrange for a campus visit to experience the program firsthand.

4. Evaluate Program Quality

Finally, rank the programs on your list by assessing their relative merit. Factors include:

• Reputation
• Selectivity
• Placement
• Student demographics
• Faculty credentials
• Student services

Aim for five or six programs that offer the best value and a selectivity profile that matches your academic record.

Resources

Admissions counselors can provide you with useful data to assess a program's quality, such as average admitted student GPA and test scores, average student work experience, graduation rate, and placement success rate.

Nursing school rankings give you a general sense of the program's reputation. Influential publications include U.S. News & World Report, Graduate School Rankings in Nursing.

Step Two: Apply to Graduate Nursing Administration Programs

Next, it's your turn to convince the admissions committee that you belong in their graduate program. Application requirements vary from school to school, but generally speaking, the following standards apply:

1. Prerequisites

Eligibility for graduate study generally requires:

• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program, with a minimum GPA
• Nursing license (RN or equivalent international license)
• Clinical nursing experience (required by some master's programs)
• Standardized tests such as the GRE, or, for international students, TOEFL or Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination

For help completing your BSN or studying for standardized tests, see WorldWideLearn.com's Education Resources Guide.

2. Application Materials

The application form compiles basic information about you and solicits an essay describing your educational interests and professional goals. In addition, most nursing administration programs require these supporting documents for admission:

• Academic transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Test scores
• Nursing license
• Resume or CV

Some of these documents arrive from other institutions, so it's important to begin collecting them well in advance of the deadline.

3. Financial Aid

A master's degree in nursing administration is a valuable investment in your future. In order to pay your tuition bills in the present, however, you may need financial aid help. WorldWideLearn.com takes you through your options on the graduate education funding resource page.

Financial aid options include:

• University scholarships and fellowships
• Federal programs, including NIH research grants and fellowships and Stafford loans. Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal financial aid.
• Scholarships from private foundations and nonprofits
• Employer continuing education incentives, such as grants and tuition forgiveness programs
• Private bank loans

Finally, you can cut your educational expenses by opting to earn a master's degree online while you work, preserving your main source of income.

Step Three: Build Your Nursing Administration Network

The preparation for graduate study doesn't end when you submit your application. Use this time to build your academic support network and you can hit the ground running once classes begin.

• Join Professional Associations. The American Nurses Association and the National Association Directors of Nursing Administration (NADNA) represent the two primary national networks for nursing professionals. But look for smaller associations in your area of interest as well. The American Nursing Informatics Association, for example, brings together nursing IT experts.
• Read Journals. Major journals in nursing administration include the Journal of Nursing Administration, Nursing Administration Quarterly, and Nursing Management.
• Attend Networking Events and Conferences. Universities, professional associations, and clinics host events to bring nursing administrators together. Conferences, continuing education lectures, and social events let you mingle with peers and mentors and give you a sense of emerging trends in your specialty area.

The knowledge you gain is only part of the graduate school experience. To get the most of your nursing administration master's degree, establish yourself within the academic community.

Conclusion

A master's degree in nursing administration can place you in a leadership position. A graduate program offers a range of career-advancing resources. It's up to you to take a proactive approach to your education and make the most of the master's degree. By focusing your professional objectives, you're in a strong position to identify your academic opportunities and cultivate your potential as an administrative leader.

Sources

• American Nurses Association
• American Nursing Informatics Association
• CCNE-Accredited Master's Nursing Degree Programs, American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Programs in Health Care and Nutrition, The Sloan Consortium
• Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, U.S. Department of Education
• Dual Executive MPA/MS in Nursing Administration, NYU Wagner
• Graduate School Rankings: Nursing, U.S. News & World Report (2009)
• Master of Science in Nursing: Nursing Administration, Indiana University School of Nursing
• National Association Directors of Nursing Administration
• National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
• "Registered Nurses," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010)