Is The Purpose Of Clinicals Different For Nursing Administration Than For Other Msn Degrees
Nursing administration clinicals help MSN students build a bridge between their patient-centered experience as RNs and the broad range of personnel and business functions involved in being a nurse leader. Unlike in clinicals for MSN programs focused on advanced practice nursing, such as those for nurse practitioners, students focus on the nuts and bolts of healthcare management and the potential impact of a leader’s choices on staff and patients.Clinical experiences provided in the online MSN in Nursing Administration program at UTA are simulated experiences in planning and reflective writing, as well as observations and face-to-face interactions with staff and leadership in healthcare environments. Students negotiate and organize meetings with staff and nurse leaders as part of their learning experience.
Practicum exercises requiring application in a healthcare organization may be done in any healthcare organization in which UTA Senior Nursing Leadership is employed. Students may use more than one organization. All practicum time must be done on non-paid work time.
The MSN capstone project is a management project and occurs in the community. The student negotiates a community partnering project with a community organization, playing a leadership role in a project connected to the mission of the organization in managing the health and wellness of a patient population.
Additional Information For Admission
NO LONGER REQUIRED: Introductory Statistics Course As of the September 2019 in-take, we no longer require applicants to have completed an introductory statistics course.
English Facility Requirements Applicants must demonstrate a good command of oral and written English. All English facility requirements must be met at the time of application. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, please make arrangements to write another English proficiency test and submit results no later than the application deadline.
We do not support out-of-province placements. If you reside outside of Ontario, you will be required to relocate to Ontario for your practicum placements. For students living outside of the Greater Toronto Area but within Ontario, we will attempt to identify suitable placements in areas that are convenient for you, however, there is no guarantee. Applicants and students can view our current list of placement partners here: current list of placement partners. Please note that the presence of an affiliation agreement does not guarantee that we will be able to secure a placement at that site.
What Is A Master Of Science In Nursing Administration Degree
Master of Science in Nursing Administration Degree programs are geared towards licensed nurses who wish to supervise and oversee a medical facilitys nursing programs, procedures, and faculty members. These degree programs are offered by a variety of online and web-based schools, and this variety provides individuals with many options for degree customization and flexibility.
Master of Science in Nursing Administration Degree programs generally include similar curricula and entail the following: Health Policy in Nursing, Disease Prevention, Nursing Administration and Leadership Role, and Legal Aspects of Healthcare Administration. On average, these masters-level degree programs take 24 months or fewer to complete, they are comprehensive and skill-enriching, and they adequately prepare nursing professionals to obtain the best Master of Science in Nursing salary and a high level of respect in their field. The only drawback of most schools that offer Master of Science in Nursing Administration Degree programs is that they have a tendency to be quite selective, but due to the highly competitive and driven natures of most licensed nurses, this factor does not usually influence their pursuit of advanced degrees in this area.
Read Also: Good Nursing Schools In The Us
Texas A& m University At Corpus Christi Corpus Christi Texas
Online Leadership in Nursing, MSN
Average Graduate Tuition: $3,965/yr in-state and $12,817/year out-of-stateFaculty to Student Ratio: 23:1Number of Students Completing their Degree 2017-2018: 19Score:7Texas A& M features a part-time online MSN in Leadership in Nursing Systems with the flexibility to accommodate full-time working professionals. This two-and-a-half year program includes coursework in:
- organizational design and behavior
- diverse care environments
- nursing research
Most students can complete clinicals in their own community, although some travel may be required. This top online nursing leadership program accepts new students during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
What Can You Do With A Masters Degree In Nursing

Graduate-level nursing degrees can open the door to quite a few career paths, depending on their focus areas. Some focus more on preparing nurses for advanced direct care roles with broadened scopes of practice, while others supplement nurses patient care abilities with specialized administrative and training skills.
The Rasmussen University Master of Science in Nursing program offers three MSN specialization paths: Nursing Leadership and Administration, Nursing Education, and Healthcare Technology, Simulation and Informatics. Rasmussen University also offers one MSN nurse practitioner : Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner .
Nursing Leadership and Administration students focus more on the business side of nursing and healthcare, developing the leadership, management and administration skills theyll need to transform healthcare in their workplace.
The Nursing Education track is for those who are passionate about educating the current and next generation of nurses. On top of the advanced knowledge of pharmacology, pathophysiology and patient assessment found in all MSN tracks, theyll gain knowledge of curriculum design and teaching strategies.
The Healthcare Technology, Simulation and Informatics track is for those seeking to supplement their patient care skills with an advanced knowledge of the technologies used to drive change in healthcare.
Read Also: What Is Accelerated Bsn Nursing
What Can You Do With An Msn: Careers In Nursing Education
Really, all nurses are educators, Rich says.
You know this from experiencenurses are often the point person for educating patients and families on medical conditions, new medications and upcoming procedures. If you find teaching patients rewarding, its easy to imagine how gratifying teaching student and current nurses could be. The Nursing Education MSN specialization can help prepare you with both advanced nursing knowledge and the skills needed to be an effective educator.
If youre considering embarking on this track, youll be happy to hear that nurse educators are in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 276,800 new registered nursing jobs will be created between 2020 and 2030.1 These nurses dont appear out of thin airtheyll need educators to help train the next generation of nurses in order to meet this demand.
Nationally, were short nurse educators, says Rich. We need to get more nurses into education, or well have no one else to teach.
If youre passionate about lifelong learning and educating the current and next generation of nurses, nursing education could be the right fit for you.
So what can you expect to learn? In addition to core courses, youll take the following courses for your education specialization:
- The Role of the Nurse Educator
- Curriculum Design and Program Evaluation
- Nursing Education in the Classroom
- Nursing Education in the Clinical Setting
What If I Need To Meet With My Professor Or Work With Classmates
Master’s in nursing administration graduate students have a variety of options for meeting with their peers and professors online, and you might find it easier to do so than in a traditional classroom.
There’s no trekking across campus for weekly office hours and hanging out in the hallway waiting for your turn with the professor, or competing for the last study room at the library to work on that group project. Your professor is just an email, video chat or text away, and accessible wherever you are. And even if the members of your study group live in Alabama, Connecticut, Vermont, Louisiana and Hawaii, no worries. Just fire up a shared document or slideshow online, use a chat app to meet up in real time, and get that project done.
When I first started the MSN program, I was very nervous about what it takes to be in a graduate course. The coursework is a lot different than when you’re in an undergraduate program. … But with the support of my peers and my instructors, I was able to accomplish the goals I had established.
Ashley Hodo, UTA MSN in Nursing Administration online graduate and Palliative Care Unit Nurse Manager at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas
The social network that was provided, the academic coaches, the professors, the availability of interaction with faculty and other students far exceeded my expectations.
Recommended Reading: Certified Nurse Midwife Scope Of Practice
How Much Time Should I Set Aside For Studying
Most master’s in nursing administration programs recommend that online students plan to spend 3-4 hours studying each week for every credit hour in which they are enrolled. A typical three-hour course might require 12-15 hours of study time, but remember that this includes the time you would normally spend in the classroom for lecture and discussion in an on-campus course.
Ready To Start Your Journey
A master of science in nursing degree is an advanced degree for registered nurses . Although all MSN programs prepare nurses for career advancement and greater professional responsibility, some may focus on readying students for particular roles. Master’s in nursing administration programs often appeal to RNs interested in careers as nurse managers, clinical nurse leaders, and other administrative roles.
A master’s degree in nursing administration typically includes around 35-48 credits and takes students 1-2 years to complete. Most programs also include clinical practice hours.
Tuition rates vary, but the total cost of a two-year master’s in nursing administration program typically ranges from $35,000-$70,000. However, some online programs at state schools may charge in-state residents considerably less.
Nursing administration professionals are in high demand, and many earn six-figure salaries. If you’re considering earning an online master’s degree in nursing administration, keep reading. This guide highlights common admission requirements, standard courses, and career options for graduates.
You May Like: Best Nursing Community Colleges In The Us
What Are The Admission Requirements For An Msn
Although the criteria for acceptance will vary school to school, most online MSN in Nursing Administration programs have similar core requirements for applicants.
You must have a BSN from an accredited nursing program and an active and unencumbered nursing license. In addition, you must submit official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities you have attended. There are additional requirements as well, but nursing programs are likely to look at the following elements of your application most closely as they make their admissions decision:
- Your final GPA on all undergraduate work or in upper-division coursesEach school has its own minimum standard applicants should meet in this department, but 3.0 is common for more selective nursing programs. Some schools also admit MSN students with GPAs of 2.5 or better, or offer provisional acceptance.
- Your GRE scores If your GPA is high enough you might not have to take the GRE, but check with programs you are interested in to confirm.
- Whether you have taken an undergraduate statistics course and earned a grade of C or better If you have not taken statistics or an equivalent course that satisfies this common nursing program admission requirement, you may be able to do so while earning your MSN.
Visit UTA’s MSN in Nursing Administration program online to learn more about graduate admissions, including application requirements for international RNs seeking the degree.
What Can You Do With An Msn: Careers In Nursing Leadership And Administration
For the ambitious nurses who are driven to transform their workplaces, a Nursing Leadership and Administration specialization may be the right fit. The combination of their clinical experience and this additional training is what will give students the ability to understand and influence policy and budget.
Students may be wonderful bedside nurses, which is certainly something we need, but we also need the additional critical thinking abilities of graduate-level nurses, Rich says. These nurses are leaders who want to transform their healthcare institutions, shape policy and understand the big-picture budget better.
On the Nursing Leadership and Administration track, students will gain the business savvy youll need to understand and influence healthcare change at a higher level, manage your unit more effectively and apply to executive positions within healthcare.
In addition to core courses, youll find the following topics covered in the Nursing Leadership and Administration specialization path:
- Advanced Nursing Leadership
- Leadership and Management in Advanced Nursing Practice
- The Business Side of Nursing
So where could this blend of hands-on nursing skills and administrative know-how take you? Lets take a look at the job positions this specialization path aims to prepare you for:
You May Like: Indiana State Accelerated Nursing Program
What Will I Pay In Tuition For An Msn In Nursing Administration Degree Online
The average tuition cost for an online MSN degree in Nursing Administration is $22,807, or $633 per credit hour. Tuition for some programs runs as high as $1,863 per credit hour, however, or $67,068 total. To ensure you are getting the best program at the right price for your budget, finding the right balance of a strong nursing education and affordable tuition is important.
UTA’s MSN in Nursing Administration online offers students a competitive tuition rate of $1,483 per course. That means you can earn your degree for just $17,800.
I researched other Master of Science in Nursing programs and it could be quite expensive. … I didn’t have to take out any loans because so affordable..
Delphine Olivacce, 2014 UTA MSN in Nursing Administration online graduate and Vice President of Quality and Performance Improvement, Schneider Regional Medical Center in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Is Ongoing Registration Required Or Can I Study At My Own Pace

You can move through your degree requirements at a steady pace while earning your MSN in Nursing Administration online. Most programs do not require continuous registration, because they are designed to give working nurses the time and flexibility they need to finish a graduate degree. Check with nursing programs you are interested in for further information.
I would highly recommend this program to anybody who is super busy with their life, who has a life outside of their job, and who wants to learn and grow their knowledge and just grow professionally.
Mary Moore, UTA MSN in Nursing Administration online graduate
Read Also: Proliability Insurance For Nurse Practitioner
Health Systems Leadership And Administration Program Requirements
The MN Health Systems Leadership and Administration program is designed to prepare nurses for formal leadership roles in healthcare systems in Canada and internationally. Graduates are prepared for careers in health care administration, health policy, professional practice leadership, and other related roles.
The MN program requires 5.0 full-course equivalents including:
Note: Effective September 2019, NUR 1017H, NUR 1034H and NUR 1072Y have been retired and replaced with NUR 1156H, NUR 1157H and NUR 1169Y.
- Five foundational courses:
- Three field of study courses and
- A 1.0 FCE practicum-based course , which should be taken alone in the final session and only after completion of all other coursework and program requirements.
Note: Y denotes 1.0 FCE and H denotes 0.5 FCE
Placement Practicum Requirements
See the Graduate Placements section of the website.
Types Of Nursing Administration Graduate Programs: Online Or On Campus
Prospective students have several ways to search for Nursing Administration Graduate Programs on GradSchools.com. If you specifically want a hands-on learning format, search for campus programs by location use the city, state or country tabs to find graduate nursing schools. Otherwise, many colleges have faculty members who teach the traditional programs also teaching the online programs.
FUN FACT: Graduates of nursing administration programs can obtain certifications from the AONE and the ANCC
Read Also: How To Become A Nicu Nurse In Texas
Benedictine University Online Masters In Nursing Leadership
Executive Summary Benedictine University is a Roman Catholic distance learning institution. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. In 2011 and 2012, Forbes Magazine named the college one of Americas Top Colleges.
Benedictine University offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a Nurse Executive Leader concentration. The specialization allows nurses to earn certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Students can expect to take specialization courses including Building Effective Communication and Relationships, Advanced Knowledge of Health Care Systems and Nursing Leadership and Systems Thinking.
Tuition: $670 per credit hour
How Will I Know If I Have The Right Technology And Internet Speed For Online Courses
If you can stream movies and video-chat with friends on your desktop or laptop without a problem, your internet speed is probably fine for online courses.
You can also review the checklist below to determine if your setup at home, work or on the go is functional for online study. Here are some technologies MSN students typically use in online courses:
- Email, messaging and chat
You May Like: Direct Entry Masters Nursing Programs
Is Financial Aid An Option For An Online Nursing Degree
Yes, if you are studying in an accredited nursing program and are eligible for state or federal financial aid, you can use it to help pay for a master’s degree in nursing administration.
Many RNs find that their employer offers tuition assistance as well, especially if an advanced degree is required for RNs in management positions. RNs at more than 600 UTA partner hospitals and health systems enjoy this benefit, and many use it to advance their career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master’s In Nursing Administration Programs
Nurse administrators draw on their clinical knowledge to make informed decisions regarding staffing, budgeting, and operations within a healthcare facility. They manage employees, monitor healthcare delivery systems, and serve as liaisons between nursing staff and management. Nurse administrators ensure that healthcare facilities offer cost-efficient, high-quality care to patients.
If you enjoy working in leadership roles, earning your master’s in nursing administration could lead to a fulfilling career. If you’re currently a practicing RN, it could also boost your salary. According to the BLS, in 2013, nurses with master’s degrees earned 19% more than nurses with bachelor’s degrees alone.
Master’s in nursing administration programs typically cost $35,000-$70,000. Tuition rates for online programs are not always lower than on-campus tuition rates. However, by earning your degree online, you may save on transportation and other costs associated with attending school on campus.
The BLS projects that the medical and health services management profession will add almost 140,000 jobs between 2020 and 2030. Overall, healthcare occupations are projected to grow by 16% over that time span, which is about twice as fast as average.
Chief nursing officers are among the highest-paid workers with master’s degrees in nursing administration. According to PayScale, CNOs earned an average annual income of $134,600 in September 2021.
Read Also: Nursing Schools In San Fernando Valley