The passage of the Affordable Care Act and the aging of the Baby Boomer generation have caused healthcare to expand at an incredible rate. Newer and better infrastructure attempts to keep up with increasing need, and the shift to preventative care for millions of newly insured Americans has created unprecedented opportunities for those with a nurse administrator degree. There have never been so many opportunities for innovative nurse leaders to step forward and become agents of change. Nurses with leadership experience and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in nursing administration can expect many opportunities in this new healthcare environment.
Job Description
Nurse administrators are responsible for seeing the big picture. They work to improve the quality of healthcare systems while keeping up to date with new laws and regulations. They supervise staff, and they frequently create and update new policies and procedures to ensure optimal patient care. Nurse administrators also have the business skills to assist with financial management and organizational management.
Education
The vision of the American Organization of Nurse Executives is “to shape the future of healthcare through innovative and expert nursing leadership.” This requires nursing leadership that can meet the challenges of the future.
Although most organizations require at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing, most prefer leaders with an MSN. A nurse administrator degree gives nurses the necessary business skills to improve quality and cost-effectiveness of the hospitals and clinics where they intend to work.
There are many options for a nurse administrator degree program; however, most nurses need the flexibility to take courses while seeing to their existing personal and professional obligations. One option is an accelerated online MSN program that provides the future nurse leader an affordable, flexible format.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for nurse leaders with a nurse administrator degree is bright. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare manager jobs will grow 17 percent from 2014-2024 — much faster than the national average across all occupations.
A nurse leader who seeks to be an agent of change in the ever-growing healthcare field can expect many career opportunities. For nurses considering continuing their education, an accredited online MSN program can be the path to changing the future.
Learn more about the Lamar University online MSN in Nursing Administration program.
Sources:
What Medical and Health Services Managers Do. (n.d.). Retrieved from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
Greenwood, Beth. (n.d.). Difference Between a Nurse Administrator Vs. Nurse Manager. Retrieved from Chron Work
