How to Become a Nurse Administrator?

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Every team needs its leader. The leader takes on the responsibility of delegating tasks for the team, ensuring the team is working at optimal efficiency, and making sure the team maintains professional standards in their work. In the world of nursing, this leadership role falls to the nurse administrator.

Jack Welch said, “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” A leader, in any capacity, must be able to make the choices that are best for the team as a whole. Often times this very requirement of leadership will cause pushback and quite possibly animosity from those being led. This is just as true for the nurse administrator as it is for anyone else in any other type of leadership role.

If you love nursing and feel a call to leadership, maybe you have what it takes to be a nurse administrator. Let’s take a look at what you need to do to take the next step in your career.

What are the Educational Requirements to Become a Nurse Administrator?

A nurse administrator is a highly qualified professional with in depth knowledge of nursing procedures, practices, and protocol. People who aspire to the position tend to have an affinity for management and leadership roles, people may often refer to them as “natural born leaders,” although this is not a prerequisite for a nursing administrator.

Typically in the United States, nurse administrators are registered nurses (RN) who hold at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, though most nursing administrators hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Most MSN degree programs offer a nurse administrator concentration that gives the prospective student the required classroom and practical education required. There are also post-graduate programs available for RNs who wish to move into administration without holding an MSN degree.

All states in the United States require nurse administrators to be licensed, some also require licensing for administrators of assisted-living facilities as well. Licensing is achieved by passing an examination, and is maintained through continuing education.

Career Outlook for Nurse Administrators

If you’ve paid attention to the news lately, you likely know there is an international shortage of qualified registered nurses. This shortage of qualified professionals extends into the ranks of the administrators as well as the nurses on the floor, and is good news for anyone wanting to pursue a career in nursing.

NurseZone.com reports that nurse managers and administrators currently earn just over $78,000 per year, with senior level administrators earning north of $96,000 per year. This puts senior nurse administrators as the second highest earning group of nurses below nurse anesthetists.

Being a nurse administrator takes quite a bit more training and education than being a general RN, and additional responsibilities may not be for everyone. If you’re the kind of person who loves nursing, and has a real affinity toward leadership then being a nurse administrator may be the perfect career for you. The next step on your journey, if you’re already an RN, is to contact local graduate schools to find out more about their MSN or post-graduate nurse administrator programs.