What Does a Nurse Administrator Do?
Nurse administrators bring the experience, knowledge, and skills gleaned in prior clinical practice to provide operational management and strategic leadership to nursing staff in healthcare organizations. Specific roles and responsibilities may include:
Primary Responsibilities
- Collaborating with boards and committees to set performance goals
- Conducting performance reviews
- Coordinating with medical staff
- Developing policies and procedures
- Facilitating professional development activities
- Formulating and managing budgets
- Monitoring compliance with laws and regulations
- Recruiting and hiring nurses
- Representing nursing staff in meetings
- Scheduling nursing shifts
Key Skills and Traits
- Analytical
- Communicative
- Interpersonal
- Leadership
- Attention to detail
- Technical skills
Where do Nurse Administrators Work?
Thirty-three percent of nurse administrators work in hospitals, 12% in physicians' offices, and 10% in residential care facilities. Common duties in each of these workplaces include:
Hospitals Develop and implement departmental procedures, policies, and goals; direct and evaluate nursing staff; prepare reports and budgets.
Physicians' Offices Collaborate with medical and administrative staff; hire and train nurses; manage patient billing and recordkeeping.
Residential Care Facilities Supervise nursing staff; oversee finances and facility maintenance; manage residents' care.
Why Become a Nurse Administrator?
The advantages of becoming a nurse administrator include greater opportunities and larger paychecks, but nurses who entered the field to treat patients directly may find themselves too far removed from patient care. RNs can become licensed in two years, but a nursing administrator may need to devote an additional 2-3 years to earning a master's degree.
Advantages to Becoming a Nurse Administrator
Disadvantages to Becoming a Nurse Administrator
How to Become a Nurse Administrator
The path to become a nurse administrator will vary depending on leadership experience. To minimum qualifications include an RN license and BSN but many employers may prefer a graduate degree.
Types of Nurse Administrator Roles
How Much Do Nurse Administrators Make?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists nurse administrator salary data under medical and health services managers. According to the BLS, these nurse leaders earn a median annual salary of $117,960. Government nurse administrators can expect to earn a median wage of $132,620, followed by hospital nurse leaders at $130,690. Nurse administrators make a median salary of $106,990 at outpatient care centers, $100,780 in physicians' offices, and $99,250 at nursing and residential care facilities.
The tables below outline the top-paying states, metropolitan areas, and industries for nurse administrators.
| Top Paying States | Average Salary | Total Number of Medical and Health Services Managers |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $177,230 | 31,010 |
| District of Columbia | $176,520 | 2,170 |
| New Jersey | $169,520 | 16,070 |
| Georgia | $168,460 | 9,610 |
| Washington | $165,140 | 7,740 |
| Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Spectator Sports | $280,290 |
| Insurance and Employee Benefit Funds | $244,470 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | $240,250 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $225,860 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $221,100 |
Resources for Nurse Administrators
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Administrators
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