Running head: WEEK 3

Week 3
Ashley Garthe
N1300
May 1, 2016
Faculty

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Week 3

The nursing administrator is an experienced nurse who works in the highest echelons of
leadership within a health care facility. Most nursing administrators begin their professional
career as nurses working in various specialties, facilities, and departments of the health care
industry. These nursing professionals continue their education and enhance airship practices and
business management skills. The qualified nursing administrator is in high demand and is
generally well compensated for their talents.
Occupational Outlook
While earning potential can vary depending upon various factors stemming from
specialization, education, and economic or geographic environments; still, median salaries are
estimated above 70k annually. In fact, According to The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17, the median expected annual salary for healthcare
administrators, included in the larger group of medical and health services managers, is
$92,810(All Nursing Schools, 2016). Nursing administrators are some of the highest paid
nurses in the health care industry.
Nursing Administrators are extremely sought after, especially within the long term care
industry. More long-term and nursing care facilities will be needed in the near future as the
baby boomer generation ages(All Nursing Schools, 2016).The business management facets of
nursing administration will become extremely necessary as more political oversight of health
care delivery systems and the third party payer scheme becomes more complex. Similarly,
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in health care administration is
projected to grow 17 percent through 2024, although national long-term projections of

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employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions(All
Nursing Schools, 2016).
Education Requirements
As previously mentioned, Registered Nurses (RNs) often continue their education to
obtain their bachelors degree (BSN). After specialization or building a foundation of
management experience the BSN will often seek her masters degree (MSN) with a
concentration in health administration and management.
Conversely, the BSN may instead choose to ascertain a masters degree in business
administration (MBA) with a health management concentration. While positions held by nursing
administrators can vary in scope, role, and practice these education requirements may be
overlooked in lieu of experience, although this is not typical.
Work Settings
Nursing administrators might also find themselves working in human resources, in
governmental agencies, in health insurance organizations, and can also become nursing
educators. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics outlines the following industries which with the
highest levels of employment:
Outpatient care centers

Doctors' offices

Hospitals

Nursing care facilities.

Home health care services

(Greenwood, 2016)

Other positions a nurse admin might hold include Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Chief
Executive Officer (CEO), Hospital Administrator, Long Term Care Administrator, and Director
of Nursing (DON). These designations specify the scope of the nurse administrators
accountability in a vague manner. The nurse manager, unit manager, Assistant Director of

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Nurses (ADON) generally obligate similar responsibilities yet function on a slightly smaller
scale(Greenwood, 2016).
Nursing Role
The nursing administrator holds a leadership role wherein many if not all facility
employees fall under their umbrella of authority. In addition to primary leadership practices,
basic business skills including budgeting and accounting, human resources, strategic planning
and systems thinking(Greenwood, 2016). The nurse administrator will often practice risk
management and quality assurance practices to maintain safety and mitigate issues.
Ensuring compliance with state governing and accrediting agencies is a primary focus for
the nurse administrator. Similarly, staffing concerns, employee injuries, sentinel events, and more
are included in the administrators role and responsibilities. Need to budget for multiple nursing
departments and may also be responsible for support services such as a transport department or
home care.
Professional Organizations & Available Certifications
Nursing leaders and administrators have special organizations they are able to become an
active member of. The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), The National
Association of Directors of Nursing Administration (NADONA/LTC) and the American Nurses
Association (ANA) all extend membership and certification services to nurse admins. AONE
offers two specialized certifications, which include Certified in Executive Nursing Practice
(CENP) and Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML).
The CENP is geared to nurse leaders who are engaged in executive nursing practice. The
CNML, offered in partnership with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN),
is developed for nurse leaders in the nurse manager role (AONE, 2016). NADONA/LTC also

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offers a competitive certification exam for DONs; while the ANA offers many credentialing
options in their ANCC service center.
Conclusion
Experienced nurse leaders are hard to come by, which is why the field is so competitive.
The job market outlook, forecasted earning potential, and the prestige of a leadership position are
all enticing reasons to become a nursing administrator. However, innovative nurses who have a
flare for problem solving, delegation, planning, and business management are going to excel in
this position. Nurses who know how patient care should be delivered, have excellent
interpersonal skills, and can communicate effectively make the best leaders for many reasons.
Becoming a nurse admin is not an education path or role all nurses choose to take on, only the
most experienced and quality driven nurses will find themselves in this significant position.

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Reference

All Nursing Schools. (2016). Learn What Youll Do and What Traits You Need to Succeed as a
Nurse Administrator. Retrieved from http://www.allnursingschools.com/nursingcareers/nurse-leadership-administration/
ANA Nursing World. (2016). About ANA. Retrieved from
http://www.nursingworld.org/FunctionalMenuCategories/AboutANA
AONE. (2016). About AONE. Retrieved from http://www.aone.org/about/overview.shtml
Greenwood, B. (2016). Difference Between a Nurse Administrator Vs. Nurse Manager. All
Nursing Schools. Retrieved from http://work.chron.com/difference-between-nurseadministrator-vs-nurse-manager-5536.html
NADONA/LTC. (2016). About NADONA/LTC. Retrieved from http://www.nadona.org/aboutnadonaltc