Online Master’s in Nurse Administration – MSN Degree Nurse Administrator
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“The master’s in nursing administration prepares nurses to become advanced practitioners in nursing administration, which involves nursing theory, evidence-based practice, management and leadership knowledge, and a well-rounded curriculum in human resources, finance and budgeting, ethics, sociocultural competence, public health, and managing nursing practice.”
Danice Greer, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Texas at Tyler School of Nursing
As healthcare evolves, there is a need for nursing professionals who can efficiently execute top-notch patient care as well as manage large teams. This is where nursing administrators come into the picture. Nursing administrators ensure that the best quality care is being delivered to patients in settings such as hospitals, medical centers, and clinics. They can take up different titles such as a nurse manager, nurse supervisor, nurse administrator, or director of nursing. A master’s degree in nursing administration helps nursing professionals take their careers to the next level. On completion of this degree, one can pursue leadership and executive positions in healthcare settings.
Several universities offer online master’s programs in nurse administration. These programs can generally be completed in two to four years. The coursework helps students develop managerial and leadership skills, while also training them in data analysis, research, finance, and policy-making. Some of the courses included are the theoretical basis for nursing practice, research in nursing and health professions, and health policy and planning in the US.
Graduates of these programs may be eligible to pursue the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification in nursing administration (advanced). Additionally, they can take up administrative roles such as quality improvement manager, nurse executive, and ambulatory care manager at hospitals, schools of nursing, and other healthcare facilities.
The following guide profiles several online master’s programs in nurse administration.
| Featured Online Nursing Programs (for BSN-Prepared RNs) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Purdue Global | Online MSN - Executive Leader | View Full Profile |
| Purdue Global | Online MSN - Nurse Educator | View Full Profile |
| Arizona State University | Nursing (MS) | View Full Profile |
| Lamar University | MSN-MBA Dual Degree | View Full Profile |
| Rasmussen University | MSN - Healthcare Technology, Simulation and Informatics | View Full Profile |
| Rasmussen University | MSN - Nursing Leadership and Administration | View Full Profile |
| University of West Florida | Online MSN - Nursing Leadership | View Full Profile |
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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Meet the Expert: Danice Greer, PhD
Dr. Danice Greer is an associate professor in the School of Nursing and lead faculty for the Administration track at the University of Texas at Tyler. She brings a wealth of experience in nursing education and research with a teaching tenure spanning over two decades, including roles at UT-Tyler and Tyler Junior College.
Dr. Greer’s academic journey is marked by a progression from a diploma of nursing to a PhD, with specializations in Advanced medical/surgical nursing, nursing education, statistics, and more. Her diverse nursing background encompasses various specialties like cardiovascular ICU, research nursing, geriatrics, and nursing management. Her research interests focus on hypertension, stroke prevention, health disparities, chronic illness, and the integration of smartphone technologies in hypertension management, reflecting her commitment to advancing healthcare practices.
MHAOnline.com: What is something you wish the public understood about MSN in nursing administration degrees?
Dr. Greer: The nursing profession advances science and the nursing career by offering graduate degrees to foster advanced practice for registered nurses. The master’s in nursing administration prepares nurses to become advanced practitioners in nursing administration, which involves nursing theory, evidence-based practice, management and leadership knowledge, and a well-rounded curriculum in human resources, finance and budgeting, ethics, sociocultural competence, public health, and managing nursing practice.
MHAOnline.com: What advice would you give to aspiring MSN in nursing administration students?
Dr. Greer: My advice would be to seek out and explore a program that offers a curriculum that aligns with current nursing practice educational standards and employs qualified faculty.
Additionally, our advisors and staff at The University of Texas at Tyler provide a caring learning environment equipped with the latest technology and a wealth of academic resources. Become engaged in your adventure to obtain a master’s in nursing administration and keep an open mind.
Featured Online Master’s Degrees in Nurse Administration
The University of Texas at Tyler offers an online master of science in nursing program in nursing administration. The program offers students the unique opportunity to work with nursing leaders and administrators while also gaining practical experience in allocating resources and analyzing a facility’s needs. The faculty, consisting of accomplished nursing leaders and professionals, helps students leverage their professional networks to move ahead in their careers.
Admission requirements for the program include a bachelor of science in nursing degree from a nationally accredited college, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, a GMAT score, and proof of current licensure to practice professional nursing, among other documentation.
The program consists of 36 credit hours. The curriculum explores topics such as healthcare informatics, translational science, health policy, leadership in healthcare, and care delivery. Students learn how to apply management and leadership principles, communicate professionally, and use organizational science.
The program makes students well-equipped to handle finances in an organization, design care delivery systems, and manage healthcare divisions across organizations of all sizes. Graduates of this master’s program can work in large healthcare facilities, government agencies, clinical facilities, and professional organizations.
- Location: Tyler, TX
- Accreditation: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Expected Time to Completion: 36 months part-time, 24 months full-time
Purdue Global offers an online MSN for aspiring nurses in executive leadership. The MSN core courses include instruction in advanced nursing roles; theoretical foundations of advanced nursing practice; scientific and analytic approaches to advanced evidence-based practice; epidemiology and health promotion; health policy, ethical, and legal perspectives of the healthcare system; and promoting optimal models and systems for healthcare delivery.
The concentration courses include leadership, organizational theory, and behavior; healthcare finance, strategic planning, and budgeting; human resource management; innovation and healthcare information technology – administrative and advanced practice priorities; applying principles of advanced nursing practice – clinical; and evaluating and disseminating principles of advanced nursing practice – clinical.
- Location: West Lafayette, IN
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 1.5 years
Grand Canyon University provides an online MSN in nursing leadership in healthcare systems, with core courses such as an introduction to advanced registered nursing; translational research and population health management; organizational leadership and informatics; and evidence-based practice projects.
The MSN program in nursing leadership in healthcare systems comprises 36 credits plus a 150-hour practicum. Specialization courses include organizational development and change; the principles of health care financial management; acquiring, developing, and leveraging human capital; performance improvement and quality in health care; and the leadership in health care systems practicum.
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Expected Time to Completion: Seven semesters
Lamar University offers an online dual MBA-MSN program for aspiring nurses in leadership. This program has 61 credits of instruction in business principles for nurse leaders; microeconomics principles; role development for nurse administrators; planning and organizing healthcare delivery; directing and controlling healthcare delivery; health information systems; administrative practicum I-II; theoretical foundations; nursing research; advanced nursing issues and health policy; and evidence-based project I-II.
The MBA adds coursework in managerial accounting; financial management; managerial decision-making; marketing management; strategic management; business intelligence; human resource management; and employment law.
- Location: Beaumont, TX
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing; Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Expected Time to Completion: 36 months
The University of West Florida provides an online MSN program with a nurse executive concentration. This program features instruction in the foundations of nursing science; integration of evidence in advanced nursing practice; population health promotion and management; health systems leadership and policy strategies; and project evaluation and dissemination.
The nurse executive concentration adds courses such as advanced pharmacology; advanced health assessment; advanced pathophysiology; nursing education seminar I-III; and nursing education practicum I-III.
- Location: Pensacola, FL
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
The master of science in nursing administration track at Rasmussen University offers a comprehensive and specialized program designed to equip nursing professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in leadership roles within healthcare settings.
Through a blend of theoretical coursework and hands-on practical experience, students in this track delve into advanced topics such as healthcare policy, financial management, strategic planning, and organizational leadership specific to nursing administration. The curriculum is structured to provide a deep understanding of healthcare systems, quality improvement strategies, and effective communication techniques essential for navigating the complex healthcare landscape.
As part of the program, students engage in experiential learning opportunities that allow them to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios, fostering critical thinking and decision-making abilities crucial for nursing administrators. The program emphasizes developing leadership competencies, promoting ethical decision-making, and cultivating a strong foundation in healthcare management principles to prepare graduates for successful careers in healthcare leadership positions.
Graduates of the program equipped to drive innovation, lead interdisciplinary teams, and enact positive change within healthcare organizations, contributing to improved patient outcomes and enhanced healthcare delivery systems.
- Location: Bloomington, MN
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 months
The University of Texas at Arlington offers an online master of science in nursing in nursing administration. Faculty members of the program include experienced clinicians at partner hospitals throughout the state.
Admission requirements for the program include a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited university, a grade point average of 3.0 or above for a GRE waiver (students with a GPA of less than 3.0 are required to submit GRE scores), a registered nurse license, and two years of experience as a registered nurse.
The program comprises 36 credits and includes courses such as nursing management in the healthcare environment, an exploration of nursing science and theories, financial management in nursing, and management of nursing operations. Additionally, students explore healthcare policy, nursing informatics, and the principles of nursing research.
Students develop the skills to work in leadership roles, understand various processes in healthcare, and develop data analysis competencies. Graduates of the program can work in various healthcare settings in an administrative capacity.
- Location: Arlington, Texas
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 20 months
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers a 100 percent online master of science in nursing degree in nursing administration.
Applicants to the program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university (a nursing program is preferred), a registered nurse license, an overall GPA of at least 3.0, and a year of professional nursing practice.
This 36-credit-hour program trains registered nurses to take leadership roles in healthcare organizations. Some of the courses include the theoretical basis for nursing practice, research in nursing and health professions, health disparities and nursing, health informatics and financial management for nurses, and strategic planning and decision-making in nursing.
The program provides students with an in-depth understanding of healthcare policy, organization theory, decision-making, and the management of administrative finances. At the end of the program, graduates can work in healthcare facilities, community agencies, and nursing schools.
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: 27 months (part-time)
The University of South Alabama offers an online master of science in nursing with a specialty in executive nursing administration. The program prepares students for leadership roles in nursing and doctoral study.
To apply for the program, students must be permanent residents of the US, have a current registered nurse license with no restrictions, two years of nursing experience, and good standing with all academic institutions or nursing programs attended. Applicants should also have a bachelor of science in nursing from a regionally accredited institution.
The program consists of 37 credit-hours. The curriculum features instruction in nursing administration concepts and theory, healthcare policy and finance, nursing administration finance, nursing informatics, and the management of healthcare personnel.
Through the coursework, students develop various skills, such as leadership, administration, communication, and technical proficiency. They also learn how to affect organizational changes and promote quality and safety.
After completing the program, graduates can work as care managers, nurse managers, supervisors, directors of nursing, or department directors, among other roles.
- Location: Mobile, Alabama
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Expected Time to Completion: Must be completed within five years
The Duke University School of Nursing offers an online master of science in nursing with a major in nursing and healthcare leadership. The program provides students with a foundation in leadership practice, financial management, and organizational theory.
Applicants to the program must have post-secondary transcripts from every school attended, a minimum GPA of 3.4, three professional letters of recommendation, three comprehensive essays, and a current resume. One year of prior nursing experience is recommended, though this is not a requirement.
The curriculum is made up of 36 credit-hours. It includes courses such as managing complex healthcare systems, the principles of business and finance in healthcare, the application of finance and budget planning, applied healthcare economics for nurses, effective business communication, and the synthesis of specialty practice nursing.
The program explains the theoretical aspects of nursing administration and helps students develop a practical view of how to lead organizations and bring about changes in management and healthcare. Graduates of the program can work in myriad types of organizations, such as inpatient, ambulatory, integrated systems, and community-based.
- Location: Durham, North Carolina
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 36 months
California University of Pennsylvania offers an online master of business administration (MBA) with a concentration in nursing administration and leadership.
Admission requirements include a completed graduate admission application, a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and official transcripts from an accredited institution, among others.
The 36-credit-hour program helps nurse leaders develop a competitive advantage over their peers and expand their existing business knowledge and skill set. Students study quantitative methods, applied economic analysis, strategic management, human resource management, marketing management, international business management, information systems for nurses, and legal aspects of healthcare administration.
The program helps nurse professionals develop business skills, the ability to examine healthcare and medical issues, and leadership skills. Upon completion, graduates can become healthcare entrepreneurs or work as healthcare administrators.
- Location: California, Pennsylvania
- Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 months
