Roles and responsibilities of nurses are increasing as healthcare evolves today and the need for nurses with leadership skills increases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for medical and health services managers will expand at a rate of 20%, faster than average. Obtaining an online master's degree in nursing administration or management provides nurses with the education and experience in financial resource management, HR, policy, and strategic planning without having to leave work and family responsibilities behind. Here is a summary of the top 8 Online Master's Degrees in Nursing Administration and Leadership.
1. Indiana Wesleyan University – Marion, Indiana
Online MS Nursing – Nursing Administration
Due to a few unique benefits, Indiana Wesleyan's MSN nursing administration program is the number one pick on this top online master's degrees in nursing administration and leadership list. Students may finish their courses in an expedited mode, serving as a cohort to offer support to one another. Every course is available online. Students may have 245 clock hours of supervised practicum experience in their home community. Faculty members are seasoned professionals interested in nurse administrator development, instructing courses such as ethics and health policy, creative approaches for the nurse leader, and organization and finance of healthcare. Classes are typically completed one at a time, sequentially, on top of each other.
2) The University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston, Texas
Online MSN Executive Nurse Leader
The University of Texas Medical Branch has a brief Executive Nurse Leader MSN online with an emphasis on real-world application. Students have the ability to take most of their courses online and only need to visit campus for orientation and for 2-3 days per semester. The faculty are dedicated to student quality education and maintain small class sizes in order to have time to attend to their students. The courses include topics of health care economics, public policy, informatics and quality improvement and financial management. This top online MSN in ENL requires three separate practicums, ensuring that you’ll graduate with plenty of relevant, real-world experience.
3) Western Governors University – Salt Lake City, Utah
Online Master of Science Nursing Leadership and Management
An online MSN in Leadership and Management is offered at Western Governors University. The flexible online courses are ideal for working adults. Competency-based learning allows students to create an individually tailored study plan around their life and knowledge. The program offers 14 courses with competencies and objectives clearly outlined. Courses in nursing leadership are organizational performance management, healthcare business and financial management, strategic leadership, nursing leadership and management.
4) University of Texas at Arlington – Arlington, Texas
Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Administration Online
UTA offers a premier MSN in Nursing Administration with course material presented via a cutting-edge online learning platform. Because the program is not attached to the traditional semester calendar, students are able to start and move through the program more quickly, completing their degree in 18 to 20 months. The program consists of 12 courses. They range in duration from five to 10 weeks, and are completed in a set order. Courses include such topics as financial management, nursing leadership, evidence-based practice and nursing and healthcare policy.
5) University of St. Francis – Joliet, Illinois
Online Master of Science in Nursing: Nursing Administration
Nurses will be taught how to manage nursing staff and services in a range of health care organizations. Courses include key subject matter like healthcare administration, resource and financial management, health care law and managed care operations. Full-time and part-time program formats are offered and the vast majority of students can finish the program within less than three years. Although courses are offered online, clinical placement facilities are limited, so verify that the program is offered in your state.
6) Sacred Heart University – Fairfield, Connecticut
Online MSN Nursing Management & Executive Leadership
Sacred Heart University has one of the most accommodating programs on our list. Students have the opportunity to start the program at any of the six available start dates throughout the year. Students have the ability to create their own schedule to finish their degree and can take up to six years to complete. Students are not required to reside at the institution. Students do practicum rotations in their local community. Specialized courses in health care information systems, financial resource management, and health care delivery systems. The program also has flexible admissions requirements to provide access to students from all walks of life for this top program.
7) Lenoir-Rhyne University – Hickory, North Carolina
Online Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration
Lenoir-Rhyne's best online MSN nursing leadership programs may be an excellent choice for any student, but particularly for Christian faith students. The curriculum for the MSN is based on Christian values and ethics that are integrated into every phase of this 33-hour degree program. Classes in advanced nursing leadership, informatics, health policy and ethics, and research that emphasizes global responsibility and accountability to the community. LRU requires all students to complete either a three-credit advanced project or thesis paper before graduating. This requirement serves to reflect on the theoretical knowledge and practical skills (an advanced practicum is also required) you’ve gained before heading out into the workforce.
8) Stony Brook University – Stony Brook, New York
Online Master of Science in Nursing Leadership
Stony Brook School of Nursing offers an excellent online master's in nursing leadership that is designed to prepare nurses to serve in leadership roles at all levels of nursing. Students progress through the program as an executive cohort, taking courses online and visiting on-site for immersion. Courses in nursing leadership address topics including communication and relationship management, business skills for nurse leaders, finance and economics in nursing leadership.
The majority of online MSN nursing administration programs have flexible online studies, minimal residency requirements, and provide practical experiences to prepare the nurses to excel in their careers.