Overview of the Master of Science in Nursing Administration Degree Program
Majors Overview March 30, 2018Registered nurses (RNs) who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can benefit from enrolling in the master’s degree program in nursing administration. The Master of Science in Nursing Administration is among the master’s level programs devised to train students for careers as mid- and senior-level nurses, usually in a leadership role. In the program coursework, advanced nursing skills are typically combined with business and administrative practices.
Master of Science in Nursing Administration Degree Program
The business aspect includes topic areas such as management, leadership, budgeting, economics, and organizational theory. A series of research activities and administrative practicums marks the culmination of the program; these are usually of a collaborative nature. Administrative and medical training is augmented by advanced training in diagnostics, math, and medical equipment operation. A capstone project is usually required to be completed before an enrollee can graduate.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree; however, an BSN is a requirement for admission to many programs. Applicants for admission to some programs are required to be RNs. Consequently, incoming students are expected to submit a resume and professional letters of recommendation, along with a personal essay, college transcripts, and standardized test scores. Candidates with substantial nursing experience are commonly the most preferred.
Coursework
Program coursework combines administrative training and medical training. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Nursing leadership
•Healthcare marketing
•Economics in Healthcare
•Healthcare organizations and management
•Issues in managed care
•Outcomes and quality assessment
•Research methods
•Advanced nursing theory
Career Options
Program graduates can choose to pursue numerous management positions in nursing. The business-oriented skills acquired in graduate nursing can help them choose from numerous available positions such as:
•Entrepreneur
•Outcomes Manager
•Health policy specialist
•Case Manager
•Nurse Manager
•Administrative Consultant
•Clinical instructor
Job and Wage Outlook
Nurse managers, also known as medical and health services managers, can expect to see a 20% job growth, over the 2016-2026 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May of 2016, medical and health services managers brought in an average annual wage of $96,540 (BLS).
