Can Nurses Become Healthcare Administrators?

For nurses to become healthcare administrators, they may need to complete additional education and will need to become certified in health administration.

There are many different roles in the healthcare industry, and workers in the field often move from one position to another. If you've been working as a nurse but aspire to more of a leadership position, you may be wondering: can a nurse become a healthcare administrator?

It is possible and common for registered nurses (RNs) to move into healthcare administration. They may need to pursue advanced education and a health administration certification.

Keep reading to find out more.

What Is a Healthcare Administrator?

A healthcare administrator works in a leadership or administrative position in healthcare. These professionals commonly work in public health, hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, physicians' offices, and other healthcare facilities. They work in various management and leadership roles depending on the healthcare organization's needs.

A nurse who becomes a healthcare administrator may also be called a nurse administrator. Common job titles for nurse administrators include:

Healthcare administration differs from clinical nursing careers; healthcare administrators are rarely directly involved in patient care. They typically work from an office.

Responsibilities of Healthcare Administrators

Healthcare administrators are tasked with various administrative duties to ensure their facility runs smoothly, has the resources it needs, and abides by all laws and regulations. Duties can vary depending on the specific needs of the facility but may include:

planning and adhering to budgets
overseeing human resource activities such as hiring and training staff
understanding and implementing health policies and regulations
ordering new supplies as needed
handling disputes and staffing issues
setting schedules
creating reports detailing facility performance

Is It Possible For Nurses To Become Healthcare Administrators?

Yes, nurses can become healthcare administrators. They may need additional education, but their nursing education, familiarity with healthcare processes, and years of work experience often make them ideal candidates for administrative roles.

Those with advanced nursing specializations, such as nurse executives, nurse leaders, and nurse practitioners, may be particularly qualified for a role in healthcare administration. They may have fewer education requirements, as they likely already hold a Master of Science in nursing (MSN).

Nurses with less education, such as a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN), may need to pursue an advanced degree in healthcare administration. Regardless of education level, nurses hoping to get into health administration must obtain appropriate certification.

Steps for Nurses to Become Healthcare Administrators

Let's look at the steps you can take to transition from nurse to healthcare administrator.

Gain Experience in Nursing Leadership

As a nurse, explore opportunities to work in entry-level leadership or management positions. For example, you could become the manager of the nursing department at your healthcare facility. Gaining experience in nursing leadership can prepare you for the wider field of healthcare leadership and will be good to have on your resume.

Gain a Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration

If you are already a registered nurse but don't hold a bachelor's degree, you must complete a bachelor's degree to be considered for most healthcare administrator positions. A healthcare administration degree is best, but you could opt to earn a business administration degree instead if it offers a concentration in health administration.

Pursue a Graduate Degree in Healthcare Administration

Perhaps you completed a BSN, RN to BSN, or a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration. In either case, consider obtaining a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree. The majority of employers require or prefer candidates who hold at least a master's degree, so completing this advanced program of study will give you a better chance of landing a healthcare administration job once you graduate.

Consider a Doctoral Degree in Healthcare Administration

Those hoping to pursue the highest positions in healthcare administration, such as hospital CEO, may benefit from obtaining a Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA). This is the terminal degree in the field, providing the most advanced education in healthcare administration. It is not required for all positions, but it can benefit those who want to take their career as far as possible.

Earn a Healthcare Administration Certification

Earning a certification in healthcare administration can help you stand out from the crowd, proving your commitment to and expertise in the field. Nurses who pursue healthcare administration careers can obtain several certifications, including the following:

Nurse Executive (NE-BC)
Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)
Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)

Why Would a Nurse Want to Become a Healthcare Administrator?

There are many good reasons why a nurse might want to pursue a healthcare administration career. The first of these is career advancement. Becoming a healthcare administrator allows nurses to pursue new career opportunities, leadership roles, and potentially higher pay as they climb the ladder in the healthcare industry.

Another reason a nurse might consider becoming a healthcare administrator is because they want to get out of clinical work. Nurses are on the front lines of patient care. A nurse who has been in the field a long time may find that they need a change of scenery, or one who struggles to provide quality patient care may want to contribute to healthcare in a non-clinical role. Becoming a healthcare administrator could be a great option in either of these scenarios.

Finally, nurses may want to become healthcare administrators to fulfill career goals and interests. They may start in nursing because it provides a way into the healthcare field; later, when they have the means to go back to school to pursue advanced education, they transition to healthcare administration because this is the path they want to pursue long-term.

Regardless of a nurse's reason for pursuing health administration, health administration has a good job outlook and the opportunity to work in many healthcare settings.