How to Become a Nurse Administrator

• A nurse administrator leads nursing staff and is part of a hospital's administrative team.
• Nurse administrators, like any nurses, must be fully licensed.
• Most nurse administrators have a master's degree and a bachelor's.
• Specific certifications in nursing administration are available.

Nursing administration can be a great career for nurses with strong communication skills and attention to detail as well as an eye for business. Nurse administrators are the supervising managers of healthcare facilities' nursing teams. They recruit nurses, organize schedules, manage supplies, and connect the nursing team with the hospital staff. According to Payscale, the average nurse administrator's salary was $89,490 as of June 2022.

Becoming a nurse administrator involves school, licensure, and additional education to specialize in administration. Nurses should also gain clinical experience working in a hospital.

What Does a Nurse Administrator Do?

A nurse administrator manages a nursing department for a healthcare facility or oversees an at-home nursing company. Nurse administrators start their careers as registered nurses (RNs) before specializing and changing careers. With experience and further education, such as a master's degree, a nurse administrator might manage a larger team or supervise other nurse administrators. Eventually, a nurse administrator might be promoted to a nurse executive, overseeing high-level nursing business decisions for a hospital or healthcare system.

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What to Know Before Becoming a Nurse Administrator

Accreditation

It is important to pick an accredited degree program for your BSN and any potential future schooling. Accreditation ensures that a program is providing quality education. Only accredited degrees are valuable when seeking a job, as potential employers and licensing boards recognize them.

Cost

It can be expensive to pursue a nursing degree. A BSN costs a minimum of $40,000 in tuition, and that's before factoring in other expenses. Licensing, exam fees, and additional expenses like room and board and transportation can add up. Explore financial aid options and apply for scholarships and grants.

Salary

According to Payscale, nurse administrators earned an average of $89,490 per year as of June 2022. Additional education and years of experience can increase a professional's earning potential. Payscale highlights New York City as having particularly strong salaries for nurse administrators.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Nurse Administrator

What qualifications do you need to become a nurse administrator?

To become a nurse administrator, you need certain educational and experiential qualifications. The first thing you need is a bachelor's in nursing (BSN). Then, you need to pass the NCLEX exam to receive your nursing license. After that, a majority of nurse administrators work for some years before settling into their jobs as nurse administrators.

To receive an official Nurse Executive Board Certification from the ANCC, you must fulfill additional requirements. You need at least 2,000 hours of leadership experience in the past three years and 30 hours of continuing education credits in the past 30 years. You must also pass a certification exam. This certification is not needed for most nurse administrator jobs.

What is the fastest way to become a nurse administrator?

There aren't many shortcuts to becoming a nurse administrator. Those who are already registered nurses should pursue jobs that give them leadership and managerial experience and potentially pursue further education, such as an MSN or doctorate. New students should pursue a BSN and licensure as registered nurses.

RNs who have not yet obtained a bachelor's degree should work to upgrade whatever degree they hold to a BSN. Anyone returning to school can strengthen their application by taking additional classes or specializing in management or HR.

What is the difference between nursing administration and nursing management?

While management is a part of nursing administration, a nurse administrator is responsible for various tasks and has a higher level of independence. In addition to managing nurses who work under them, a nurse administrator also manages facilities, supplies, and regulatory matters. A nurse administrator also serves as the liaison to the rest of the hospital, advocating for the needs of the nursing department they work in.

They also tend to oversee complex cases that require coordination from the larger nursing team, such as organizing nursing for larger-scale events, like natural disasters.

Who does the nurse administrator report to?

A nurse administrator typically reports to higher management: either a president, executive officer, or vice president in charge of nursing. They are part of the executive team at a healthcare facility and, as such, have a large degree of responsibility and independence. In larger systems, a nurse administrator at the hospital level may report to a higher level administrator overseeing a full health system.

Nurse administrators also oversee nurse managers. In this role, they are the link between the nursing team and upper management.

How much money can I make as a nurse administrator?

Nurse administration is one of the highest-paying specializations within the nursing field. According to Payscale, nurse administrators earned an average of $89,490 annually as of June 2022. However, additional education and experience can increase a professional's earning potential. The primary factors influencing salary are level of education, years of experience, and job location. Certifications can also influence pay levels.

Possible avenues for promotion include CNO (chief nursing officer), vice president in charge of nursing, or nurse administrator for a larger population or healthcare system.