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Nurse Administrator
Nurse administrators tackle responsibilities including making policies for the health care facility in which they are employed, handling the financial decision making, and working with the staff to ensure that the facility runs smoothly. The role is essentially a culmination of nursing science, business principles, organizational behavior, and resource management. Nurse administrators must function in a leadership role as well as understand the intricacies of the health care field. They oversee the facility’s day-to-day function, acting as the link between the nurses, medical staff, and governing boards of the institution. Though a longer, and therefore costlier, degree is required for the nurse administrator position, the pay often makes up for the increased schooling cost as graduates advance up the ranks into positions of more responsibility and better pay. In the San Francisco area, the salary for first-level management positions is approximately $80,000 to $110,000, while mid-level positions have salaries from $110,000 to $140,000. Executive manager positions demand $150,000 and up, according to the School of Nursing at the University of California in San Francisco. Most new nurse administrators begin as department managers or staff supervisors and work up to becoming department heads, assistant administrator, and eventually, chief executive officer of a facility.
Those looking to join the nurse administrative position must typically have a Master’s in health care administration. Though some entry-level administrative positions will accept a Bachelor’s level degree, most require a more advanced Master’s in health care due to the complex nature of the occupation. Adequate experience, which applicants can gain through residency programs, is also an important factor that employers consider when hiring nurse administrators. The position is typically filled by high-ranking registered nurses who continued their education to obtain a Master’s in health care, as these nurses generally fulfill both the education and experience requirement. Registered nurses looking to advance their careers should consider enrolling in a MHA program. Some states require an additional licensure for administrators in assisted living facilities, such as retirement homes.
MHA programs build on the knowledge that is obtained in a Bachelor’s level health education. Rather than covering general topics like anatomy and nursing fundamentals, MHA programs concentrate on leadership skills, the future of nursing, and other performance-focused courses. Medical and health service managerial positions, including nurse administrators, are expected to see a 16 percent growth in employment opportunities by 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job prospects for upcoming nurse administrators are generally positive.
