Online Master's Degree in Nursing Management
You can earn a master's degree in nursing management, leadership or administration through a combination of online classes and in-person clinicals. Read more about these programs, clinical requirements, and review the typical curriculum. Get info about where nurse managers can find employment and how much they might earn.
How Can I Earn an Online Master's Degree in Nursing Management?
Nursing schools around the U.S. offer online master's degree programs in nursing management, nursing leadership or nursing administration. These programs teach you how to oversee nursing departments and manage personnel in a variety of settings. In most cases, you need to be an experienced registered nurse to enroll in an online nursing management master's degree program. While you can usually keep your job while pursuing your degree online, you are required to participate in some on-campus learning experiences and complete mandatory clinical hours.
| Degree Options | Online master's degree programs in nursing management, leadership and administration available; typically must be a registered nurse to enroll |
| Clinical Requirement | Typically required to attend on-campus clinical programs and work in a clinical setting for degree completion |
| Common Courses | Nursing theories and principles, including courses in healthcare, research and medical ethics |
| Career Options | Administrator, nursing director or manager, head nurse |
| Job Outlook (2019-2029) | 32% growth (for all medical and health services managers)* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
How Do My Clinical Courses Work?
Typically, you are required to attend clinical courses on your school's campus periodically throughout the length of your program. These courses give you the opportunity to hone your nurse management skills through hands-on practice in labs and real-world settings. These courses usually last 2-3 days and give you an opportunity to work directly with your instructors and get to know your classmates.
You also usually need to complete a designated number of hours in a clinical setting. This can often be arranged near your home, but you must select a facility approved by your school.
What Online Courses Will I Take?
Your online courses typically cover nursing theories and principles, including medical ethics, healthcare issues and research analysis. You also learn about the management roles you'll undertake as a leader. You gain an understanding of the business and administrative tasks of a nurse manager, including finances and marketing.
Online courses are usually conducted via your school's Internet-based classroom platform. You usually have to participate in online discussions, and you use e-mail and message boards to communicate with instructors and classmates.
What Will My Career Be Like?
When you graduate, you're eligible to sit for certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Organization of Nurse Executives. You can become a nurse manager, administrator, head nurse or nursing director. You might work in a hospital or a long-term care setting, and you're able to diagnose and treat patients while supervising other nurses. In May 2021, 'PayScale.com' reported that nursing directors made a median salary of $91,878.