How long does it take to become a nurse administrator

How long does it take to become a nurse administrator

You have completed a bachelor’s program in nursing, currently work in the field and are now ready to take the next step in your career. If you are considering becoming a certified nursing administrator, here is what you need to know.

What is a Nursing Administrator?

A certified nursing administrator oversees a staff of nurses in a health care environment. To obtain this position, you must typically have a master’s degree, relevant work experience and a nursing license, and often, advanced certification as well. Communication, leadership and business skills are also essential to succeed in this role. Nurse administrators can have rewarding and lucrative careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics includes nurse administrators in the category of “Medical and Health Services Manager” for which the median annual salary is $88,580.

How Can You Qualify to be a Nursing Administrator?

Most employers require a master’s degree in nursing or health services administration. The degree requirements may vary depending on whether you work in a nursing home environment, hospital, clinic or long-term care center, but consider the steps below as you map out your path to secure a job in any of these environments.

1.) You must achieve the minimum education requirement.

Many employers require a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to become a nursing administrator. To earn a master’s degree in nursing, students should be aware that:

  • The program generally takes two years to complete.
  • Course requirements can include management, communication, current nursing practices and leadership development.
  • Some programs may simultaneously prepare students for advanced certification exams.

It’s also advisable that students attend a school listed in the Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education directory to ensure it meets all accreditation standards.

There are a few exceptions to the educational requirements. For instance, an exception might be made for those with recent field experience that might substitute for some of the educational requirements.

2.) You must maintain nursing licensure.

Education is not the only factor when considering a career in nursing administration. To work as a nurse administrator, you must be licensed.

Licensure qualifications differ by state and may include:

  • Age requirements
  • Character assessments by the Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators
  • Enrollment at an administrator-in-training program or a qualifying experience
  • A board-approved internship or qualifying alternative
  • Field experience

3.) You should consider partaking in advanced certification exams.

Credentials can make a difference when interviewing for nursing administration roles. The American Nurses Credential Center (ANCC) offers two exams: The Nurse Executive exam and Nurse Executive, Advanced exam. In addition to earning a passing score on these exams, the ANCC may also require two years of experience in mid-level administration experience.

If you do not pursue a master’s degree, 30 hours of continuing education credits will be required. These credits can be obtained through graduate coursework. You may also be required to enroll in state board-approved continuing education programs.

To help candidates meet pre-exam requirements, some states offer board-approved home study courses as well.

4.) The more credentials you have, the greater the employment opportunities.

Once certified, employment possibilities may increase significantly. The aforementioned ANCC and the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) both provide certification credentials. These include Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) and Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML).

If you are interested in becoming a certified nursing administrator, Benedictine University Online offers a fully online MSN. The program academically prepares students to sit for advanced certification exams and can be completed in as little as two years. Students also have the option of broadening their expertise to include business courses in the online dual MSN/MBA.

Want to learn more about becoming a nurse administrator? Check out the “What Skills are in Demand for Nurse Administrators” free guide.

How long does it take to become a nurse administrator

Nurses provide critical services in a variety of healthcare settings. They provide immediate patient care, advocate for improved patient outcomes, and assess patient needs to determine the best possible treatment plans. Nurses achieve high efficiency when working in tandem with other nurses in defined nursing teams, managed effectively by nursing administrators.

Nursing administrators oversee the day-to-day operations of a particular nursing team, ensuring that each nurse has the tools he or she needs to succeed. As a nursing administrator, you can expect to manage nurse duties, participate in staffing decisions, manage department budgets, and even address conflicts between patients or healthcare staff.

If you’re passionate about healthcare and enjoy exercising skills in communication, team coordination, and business management, the role of a nursing administrator can offer a rewarding career path.

How long does it take to become a nurse administrator

Nursing administrators work to promote smooth nursing team operations. Often, this means they perform audits to ensure continued compliance with all local, state, and federal policies. Ultimately, nursing administrators support the daily operations of a nursing team, giving nurses all the tools they need to succeed.

As a specialized career option, the role of a nursing administrator requires schooling and certification. After you complete your undergraduate degree, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Many employers also want to see at least a few years of experience in a healthcare environment before they'll trust you to lead a nursing team of your own.

Nursing administrators satisfy many different responsibilities every day to ensure a nursing team continues to function well. On some days, a nursing administrator might spend time recruiting new nurses or developing upcoming nurse work schedules. On other days, they’ll write reports for executives that summarize the nursing team’s performance.

The day-to-day duties of a nursing administrator can include:

  • Developing reports that identify how each nurse performed as a part of the nursing team.
  • Hiring and firing nurses whenever necessary to create nursing teams that work well together.
  • Implementing policies that facilitate basic building upkeep.
  • Resolving conflicts between patients, nurses, or other healthcare staff members.
  • Providing immediate patient care when required.
  • Training nurses on any new policies and practices.
  • Leading nurse meetings.
  • Assigning work schedules to all members of the nursing team.
  • Attending meetings with senior healthcare organization staff members.
  • Communicating with various members of the nursing team.

These and other responsibilities help nursing administrators fulfill meaningful careers, organizing nursing teams to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes.

Before you can begin a career as a nursing administrator, you’ll need to reach a few educational benchmarks. Aspiring nursing administrators should complete a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management. Nurses who already have an RN degree can complete an RN-to-MSN leadership and management program to learn the necessary skills to become a nursing administrator. For those who have already earned a master's degree, a post-master's certificate in nursing leadership & management can be beneficial.

These programs will help you develop skills that are necessary once you begin your nursing career. You’ll become familiar with the nursing leadership environment in addition to organization principles, business management strategies, and global health trends. 

Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.

A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN...

A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you...

A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:

  • Locations: offered in FL, IN, TX, MO, and UT only.
  • Tuition: $6,430 for the first term, $7,616 for the remaining 4 terms. Each term is six-months. Prelicensure students can not accelerate and the program takes 2.5 years to complete.

WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.

If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's Degree in Health Services Coordination instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.

How long does it take to become a nurse administrator

College of Health Professions

Nursing – Leadership and Management (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.

This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a...

This program for RNs includes a BSN component and...

This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap toward becoming a nurse leader.

  • Time: 75% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 42 months.
  • Tuition: $3,998 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion, $4,367 per 6-month term during graduate portion, plus a Health Professions Student Fee of $350 in both the undergraduate and graduate program.

Some careers and jobs this degree will prepare you for:

  • Director of Nursing
  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Quality Director
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Project Manager

If you're driven to lead, this online nursing degree will provide you everything needed to make that career a reality.

Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees by clicking the button below.

Compare Similar Degrees

How long does it take to become a nurse administrator

College of Health Professions

Nursing Leadership and Management – Post-Master's Certificate

A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in...

A certificate for registered nurses with a...

A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who are ready for greater responsibility in a leadership and management role.

  • Time: 12 months.
  • Tuition and fees: $4,367 per 6-month term, plus a one-time Health Professions Fee of $350. The cost to sit for the NAHQ Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) exam is included in tuition.

Sample careers and jobs this degree program will prepare you for:

  • Director of Nursing
  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Quality Director
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Project Manager

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of medical and health services managers to grow 17% by 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.

How long does it take to become a nurse administrator

College of Health Professions

Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.

An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking...

An online BSN degree program for registered...

An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:

  • Time: 66% of graduates finish within 18 months.
  • Tuition: $3,998 per 6-month term, plus a Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
  • Transfers: On average, students transfer 81 credits.

With over 35,000 BSN alumni, this is one of WGU's most popular online degree programs. View our RN to BSN degree guide.

If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's Degree in Health Services Coordination instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.

How long does it take to become a nurse administrator

College of Health Professions

Nursing – Leadership and Management (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.

For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for...

For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree...

For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for greater responsibility:

  • Time: 82% of grads finish within 24 months.
  • Tuition: $4,367 per 6-month term, plus a Health Professions Student Fee of $350.

Sample careers and jobs this degree program will prepare you for:

  • Director of Nursing
  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Quality Director
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Project Manager

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of medical and health services managers to grow 17% by 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Compare degrees

This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees by clicking the button below.

Compare Similar Degrees

How long does it take to become a nurse administrator

College of Health Professions

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How long does it take to become a nurse administrator

Nursing administrators depend on communication and team management skills as they work to ensure smooth nursing team operations. These skills help individual nurses to fulfill their roles, providing care that promotes short and long-term patient recovery.

Nursing administrators need each of the following skills:

  • Nurse team management. The ability to effectively manage all aspects of a nursing team, from motivation to scheduling.
  • Leadership. The ability to lead a nursing team toward success, providing insight and motivation that drives each member of the team toward success.
  • Interpersonal communication. The ability to correspond effectively with nurses, fellow nursing administrators, patients, and other individuals in a healthcare environment.
  • Public speaking. The ability to confidently address groups of people in a healthcare setting.
  • Staffing. The ability to hire and release employees to create nursing teams that work well in coordination together.

  • Financial knowledge. The ability to appropriately manage healthcare organization finances.
  • Instruction. The ability to properly educate nursing teams on any new policies, or updates to existing policies, that will affect day-to-day operations.
  • Problem-solving. The ability to help patients and nurses mitigate and overcome issues they might face.
  • Technical proficiency. The ability to effectively use all necessary pieces of medical technology including any computers, tablets, phones, and online platforms.

These and other skills help nursing administrators effectively lead nursing teams. Whether you’re employed in a hospital or a high school, you’ll lead a nursing team in providing effective treatment to all patients while ensuring continually successful healthcare operations.

How Much Does a Nursing Administrator Make?

$89,015

The exact income of a nurse administrator can vary based on a variety of factors that include your employer, employer’s location, employer’s private or public healthcare funding, years of experience, education, and obtained certifications. The salary of a nurse administrator can average $89,015, with a range of roughly $64,000 to $137,000 earned per year.

What Is the Projected Job Growth?

32%

Where Do Nursing Administrators Work?

Varies

Nursing administrators can work in a wide variety of locations depending on the needs of their nursing teams. Some nursing administrators might work in independent doctor’s offices while others could be employed in a large hospital setting. Ultimately, your location as a nursing administrator will be determined by your employer.

Nursing administrators can work in any of the following locations:

-Hospitals

-Inpatient or partial hospitalization facilities

-Outpatient facilities

-Private physician offices

-Emergency medical centers

-Nursing homes and long-term adult care facilities

Nursing Administrator FAQ's

How long does it take to become an administrative nurse?

BSN programs usually last four years. A master’s degree may also be required depending on your employer. In total this can take 4-6 years to complete if you are beginning with no prior education or experience. However, places like WGU can help you complete your degree even faster.

What do you need to become a nurse administrator?

You must have a minimum of a BSN to become a nurse administrator. In most cases, you’ll also need several years of experience and may need a master’s degree.  

What does a nurse administrator do?

Nurse administrators oversee scheduling, budgeting, managing nurses, and ensuring patient care standards are upheld.  

Is nursing administration a good job?

Nurse administration is a good field to pursue since it is a growing field and provides a good salary. Whether or not you will feel satisfied with the work depends on your preferences, ability to manage people, the setting you work in, and other factors.  

Interested in Becoming a Nursing Administrator?

Learn more about degree programs that can prepare you for this meaningful career.

View Degree Programs

What is a nursing administrator?

Nurse administrators supervise nurses and other health care team members. They recruit, hire and train nurses. Other responsibilities include building work schedules and conducting performance reviews.

What is the difference between nursing administration and nursing management?

Nurse executives are the top leaders responsible for leading overall nursing operations, while nurse administrators manage specific departments according to workplace policies and protocols. Nurse managers work on the unit, managing the day-to-day activities of the staff.

How do I become a nurse administrator in Florida?

Aspiring nursing administrators should complete a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management. Nurses who already have an RN degree can complete an RN-to-MSN leadership and management program to learn the necessary skills to become a nursing administrator.

What state has highest RN salary?

California tops our list of the highest-paying states, where registered nurses make $124,000 per year on average. Following it is Hawaii, at $106,530, and Oregon at $98,6300. Washington, D.C., while not technically a state, also ranks among the top-paying U.S. regions with an average RN salary of $98,540.