How to Become a Nurse Administrator – Nursing Education (2024)

Nurse administrators are experienced registered nurses (RNs) who fill leadership positions in health systems, hospitals, and other medical facilities and organizations. Nursing administration can include positions like nurse manager, director of nursing, chief nursing officer, and patient care. The steps to become a nurse administrator include education, testing, and licensing, after which nurses have a lot of options. Below, we’ll detail the steps to follow, how long it takes to become a nurse administrator, and where to start.

Become a Nurse Administrator in 5 Steps

Nursing education provides the knowledge needed to manage complex medical care on a high level. State licensing tells nursing employers they have hired competent professionals, and specialty certifications highlight experts in their field.

Schooling Requirements for Nurse Administrators

Nurse administrators can practice with a few different levels of education, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and advanced degrees like an MSN or DNP.

Associate Degree in Nursing

An Associate Degree in Nursing, or ADN, is the quickest option to become an RN with no previous university education. ADN degrees can take 18 months to two years to complete and may require some prerequisites before an application can be accepted.

Nurses with an ADN will need to earn a BSN before they can be considered for nursing administration positions.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives future nurses a more well-rounded education experience than an ADN. Typically done over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works, but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills.

A BSN prepares future nurses to handle a high level of care. Where an ADN focuses on quickly preparing future nurses for clinical situations, a BSN adds higher-level concepts like evidence-based practice, community health nursing, statistics used in research, nursing management and leadership, health informatics and analysis, healthcare ethics, and nutrition.

Master of Science in Nursing

A Master of Science in Nursing, or MSN, can be earned in as little as two years, but many students continue to work while they study part-time, which will take them longer. Nurses can earn a master’s degree in healthcare management, which offers valuable insight and may make candidates more attractive to potential employers.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the highest level of education a nurse can achieve. While a DNP is not yet required for nursing administrators, nurses with this degree may earn more than those with an MSN.

Nurse Administrator Licensing

Once a new nursing graduate has earned their degree, they must apply for licensure. To become a licensed and practicing nurse in any state, graduates must pass the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN) and apply for a state license. Nurses with an MSN or DNP may have other licensing requirements, depending on their state of practice.

NCLEX-RN

The National Council Licensure Examination–RN (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based exam with 85 to 150 questions. The exam takes anywhere from an hour to a maximum of five hours. Questions fall into four basic categories:

1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity

Once completed, the state board of nursing sends test results within six weeks, usually by email. In the time leading up to the NCLEX-RN, it’s important for graduates to study practice questions to ensure a passing grade and many students take NCLEX prep courses to increase their likelihood of success.

Nursing State License Application and Renewal

Each state in the U.S. has a unique nursing license application process. The state board of nursing wants to see proof of an NCLEX passing result and a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Most states require criminal background checks and fingerprinting, and some may want to see university transcripts.

After initial licensure, RNs must renew their license every two years in most states. Each state has varying requirements on continuing education and other documentation needed for renewal. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers a plethora of information on nurse administrator licensing requirements by state.

Specialty Certification

Nursing administrators can hone their skills through specialty certifications offered by several different certification organizations. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) manages the Nurse Executive and Nurse Executive-Advanced certifications, while the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) offers the Executive Nursing Practice certification. These certifications often require nurses to be working in a current administrative position at the time of examination. Once achieved, they often garner higher compensation.

Where Nurse Administrators Work

Tasked with overseeing and supporting nursing staff, nurse administrators have many choices of workplace, including:

• Hospitals
• Long-term medical facilities
• Health systems
• Psychiatric facilities
• Physician offices
• Home health

Some nurses work with the government to apply their nursing expertise toward public health and policy changes.

FAQs: How to Become a Nurse Administrator

1. What education is needed to become a nurse administrator?

Nurse administrators must graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university. They can also pursue advanced degrees like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

2. How many years does it take to become a nurse administrator?

After four years of working towards their BSN, nurses who wish to become administrators must choose to either go straight into a master’s program or gain experience at the bedside. Either way, it can take at least another two years before a nurse may apply for a nursing administration position.

3. What are the steps to become a nurse administrator?

To become a nurse administrator, aspiring nurses must apply to and graduate from an accredited nursing school, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for and receive a nursing license in their state. After this, they may earn bedside experience and/or pursue specialty certification and higher education before applying for nursing administration positions.

4. How much do nurse administrators make an hour?

Because of their leadership role, nurse administrators make a higher wage than staff nurses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse administrators earn an average of $64.63 per hour, which equals about $134,440 annually.