MSN: Nurse Management Degree Programs & Career
A nursing manager uses their expertise in directing, organizing, planning, and staffing of nurses within a healthcare organization. Obtaining a management role within the nursing profession almost always requires a master’s degree in nursing. Different managerial roles for nurses can vary. A Director of Nursing (DON) is an RN who supervises patient care at a hospital or other healthcare facility. This title typically is reserved for a senior nursing position, and is usually synonymous with Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Chief Nurse Executive, or VP of Nursing. Other types of managers include service directors, who oversee a certain area within the facility; nurse managers, who manage a nursing unit and report to the service director; and charge nurses, who are usually responsible for a shift.
How to Become a Nurse Manager
To become a nurse manager, students typically complete the following steps:
- Complete an Associate’s Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing program
- Earn a Registered Nurse Certification
- Meet the professional experience conditions
- Enroll and complete an MSN degree in Nurse Management
Nurse Manager Salary and Career Information
The expected salary, career growth, and work environment for a nurse manager might include:
- Median Expected Salary: $79,000, according to Indeed.com’s most recent report
- Job Prospects: Very good to excellent
- Job Setting: Private practices, nursing homes, hospitals, educational institutions, home health care agencies
Nurse Manager Qualifications
To become a nurse manager, students are typically required to meet the following job qualifications:
- Earn certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse
- Hold an MBA degree (depends on career path and healthcare facility requirements)
- Computer skills using various applications such as word processing, presentation, and online database systems
Nurse Manager Job Description
A nurse manager is typically responsible for the following job duties:
- Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of nursing services and identify areas of strength and improvement
- Develop professional practice standards in collaboration with physicians and other medical practitioners
- Promote and monitor regulatory standards by conducting periodic surveys and site visits
- Contribute to the ongoing development of nursing staff and assure clinical competency
- Monitor department budget and expenditures and prepare reports for management review
MSN Degrees for Aspiring Nurse or Healthcare Managers
- MSN: Case Management from American Sentinel University
- MSN: Leadership System Management from Drexel University Online
- MSN: Nursing Management from Herzing University
- MSN: Health Care Systems Management from Loyola University New Orleans
- MSN & MBA – Health Care Management from University of Phoenix
- BSN to MSN: Leadership/Management from Walden University
- RN to MSN: Leadership/Management from Walden University
- MSN: Leadership & Management (RN to MSN) from Western Governors University
- MSN: Leadership and Management from Western Governors University
Top Masters in Nursing Schools
A master’s degree in nursing can be the first step to becoming a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or clinical nurse leader (CNL). Several accredited online MSN programs are listed below. Fill out any school’s form to quickly receive additional information and application materials.
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Georgetown University – Georgetown University has been educating nurses and helping improve healthcare since 1903. The programs are designed to help the next generation of nursing leaders with majors available in: Family Nurse Practitioner and Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. |
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Capella University – This masters in nursing program is designed specifically for nurses who wish to enter the teaching profession as nurse educators. With practical applications and engaging assignments, student can accomplish the assets required to be successful in leadership and educational positions with in the nursing industry. The Nurse Educator degree curriculum is centered around the industry’s best practices and standards and is constantly updated to reflect the latest developments. |
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Kaplan University – Kaplan University offers a number of RN to MSN degrees for those seeking career advancement. Each program allows students to focus their curriculum on their particular career interest. In addition to the general program, specializations are also offered in informatics and health education. |
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Sacred Heart University – Sacred Heart University offers accredited BSN to MSN and RN to MSN programs that prepare students for leadership or specialized positions, including clinical nurse leadership (RN to MSN option), nursing education (RN to MSN option), and patient care services administration (RN to MSN option). |
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American Sentinel University – American Sentinel University offers a wide variety of accredited online masters in nursing degrees, each with a specific focus designed to teach MSN students the exact skills they need for their particular career focus. By specializing in Management and Organizational Leadership, Infection Prevention, Case Management, or Nurse Informatics through online courses as opposed to campus programs, students can complete assignments at a time and place that is convenient. |
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University of Phoenix – University of Phoenix offers a number of online master’s in nursing programs. Their general MSN degree program gives students a well-rounded master’s in nursing education, while more specific degrees are available in health administration, health education, and nursing informatics. |
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Drexel University – The Masters in Nursing Leadership program from Drexel is designed for students who want to take leadership positions in the health community, and involves leadership training and learning the skills needed to manage other nurses. Drexel University provides an affordable option through online courses which can cut down on many of the cost associated with on-ground programs. DU offers a Masters of Science in Nurse Leadership. |
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Grand Canyon University – Grand Canyon University’s online masters in nursing programs focus on becoming a leader and an educator respectively. These accredited degrees are offered via a fully online curriculum. The Masters in Nursing Leadership prepares RNs for roles as leaders in a variety healthcare settings; the Masters in Nursing Education prepares RNs for teaching positions within the nursing profession. |
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Gonzaga University – Gonzaga University offers a wide range of Masters in Nursing degrees, allowing students to fulfill high level roles and leadership roles in Nursing. These MSN degrees, whose options include nursing education (MSN), nursing education (RN to MSN) and health systems leadership, can be completed at a relatively fast pace and provide more convenience to students with busy or inconsistent schedules. |
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Walden University – One of America’s leading online universities, Walden’s online Masters in Nursing (RN to MSN) program is a masters in nursing program designed for registered nurses. In addition to this general track, concentrated RN to MSN degrees are also offered in education, informatics, and leadership/management. While each program can be completed in just two years it does require a bachelor’s program for enrollment. |
