[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-cap font-bold uppercase mb-2″]How Long to Become[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-4xl text-primary-800 font-heading font-bold mt-0″]4-8 Years[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-cap font-bold uppercase mb-2″]Degree Required[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-4xl text-primary-800 font-heading font-bold mt-0″]BSN or MSN[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-cap font-bold uppercase mb-2″]Job Outlook[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-4xl text-primary-800 font-heading font-bold mt-0″]23% growth from 2024-2034 (among all APRNs)[/hen-ui-text]SOURCE: BLS [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/healthcare/healthcare-administration/”]Healthcare administrators[/hen-ui-link] keep hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities running smoothly. In part because of their experience as care providers, nurses are well positioned to be effective leaders in this capacity.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn more about how to become a healthcare administrator — and how nursing experience can equip you for these important roles.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Healthcare Administrator Overview[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare administrators help ensure that healthcare facilities and operations are as effective, efficient, and cost-sensitive as possible. They work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, residential care facilities, outpatient care centers, and other medical settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Specifically, healthcare executives develop goals and objectives for their departments or facilities, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and manage finances. Daily tasks may include supervising staff, creating work schedules, formulating budgets, updating records, and communicating with department heads.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses can find administrator opportunities as a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/nurse-administrator/”]nurse administrator[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/clinical-nurse-leader/”]clinical nurse leader[/hen-ui-link], or director of nursing. At the top levels, healthcare organizations rely on [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/chief-nursing-officer/”]chief nursing officers[/hen-ui-link] to oversee nursing policies and activities. In these roles, nurse administrators oversee units, schedule shifts, review clinical tasks, and ensure nursing units work effectively.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Steps to Becoming a Healthcare Administrator[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses can become healthcare administrators with the right mix of education and experience.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Earn a BSN Degree From an Accredited Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Administrator roles generally require a bachelor’s degree. Nurses can meet this educational requirement with an [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (ADN) and a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor’s degree in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (BSN). It takes about four years to earn your BSN through a traditional program, although [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/absn/”]accelerated BSN programs[/hen-ui-link] and [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/rn-to-bsn/”]RN-to-BSN bridge programs[/hen-ui-link] can shorten that time.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Gain Experience in Healthcare or Nursing Administration[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical experience prepares RNs for careers in administration. Gaining leadership experience as a nurse team leader, nurse supervisor, or nurse manager can add administrative skills to your resume. [/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Consider a Master’s Degree[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While not a requirement to work as a healthcare administrator, a graduate degree carries significant benefits in terms of career advancement and salary potential. [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/healthcare/healthcare-administration/is-an-mha-degree-worth-it/”]Master’s in healthcare administration[/hen-ui-link] (MHA) programs typically take 1-3 years to complete, depending on whether you’re full- or part-time. Other master’s degrees also can lead to a career in healthcare administration, include [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/best-online-mph-programs-for-nurses/”]public health[/hen-ui-link] or a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/best-online-msn-mha-programs/”]dual degree in nursing and management[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Consider Pursuing Your Certification[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Professional certification can demonstrate your expertise as a healthcare administrator. Nurses can consider specialized certifications such as the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) or the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aonl.org/initiatives/cnml” target=”_blank”]Certified Nurse Manager and Leader[/hen-ui-link] (CNML) credentials. You’ll typically need several years of experience in a leadership role and passing scores on a certification exam to receive the credential.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Healthcare Administrator Education[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses interested in healthcare administrator careers typically hold a BSN and a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/registered-nursing/rn-licensing-requirements-by-state/”]registered nurse (RN) license[/hen-ui-link]. Advancing your education can help you move into managerial roles. Common options include a master’s in nursing with a focus in nurse leadership or nursing administration. You can also consider an MHA degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Bachelor’s degrees provide launching pads into entry-level healthcare administrative positions for those who want to spend a maximum of four years in school and gain experience in the workforce.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements:[/hen-ui-text]

High school diploma or GED certificate[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]2.0-2.5 GPA[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ACT or SAT scores[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list]

Program Curriculum: [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Financial management and budgeting[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare leadership[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health law, ethics, and professionalism[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health sciences[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Information systems[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list]

Time to Complete: 1-4 years

Skills Learned: Analysis, communication, leadership, and interpersonal and technical skills

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Master’s Degree[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Master’s degree holders typically enter healthcare administration careers in leadership and management roles with higher starting salaries and/or more responsibilities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements:[/hen-ui-text]

Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]3.0 GPA[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]GRE scores[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare industry work experience[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list]

Program Curriculum: [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare economics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare policy[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health informatics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Human resources[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Strategic planning[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list]

Time to Complete: 1-2 years

Skills Learned: Advanced leadership, data analysis and management, healthcare challenges response, and organizational decision-making

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Dual Master’s Degree Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Master’s degrees in healthcare administration or nursing combined with business administration (MHA/MBA or MSN/MBA) appeal to those interested in positions as healthcare CEOs, executive directors, hospital administrators, and other fast-track leadership roles. Depending on the program, dual degrees can lead to jobs in both clinical and administrative settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements:[/hen-ui-text]

Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]2.75-3.0 GPA[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]GRE or GMAT scores[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Current RN license[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prerequisite coursework[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Professional experience[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list]

Program Curriculum: [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Advanced health assessment[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Evidence-based practice[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare financing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare quality management[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health informatics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health policy[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list]

Time to Complete: Two years

Skills Learned: [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]Advanced practice nursing[/hen-ui-link], finance, healthcare acquisitions and mergers, organizational leadership, and strategic planning

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Working as a Healthcare Administrator[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses entering the fast-growing field of healthcare administration can look forward to a projected 142,900 openings between 2024 and 2034, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While more than a third of these positions will likely be available in hospitals, an aging population suggests more opportunities in the long-term care field. The right master’s degree or certification can provide a competitive edge in the job market.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare administration professionals can also expect high-earning opportunities, BLS data shows. Salaries range from $69,680 per year for the lowest 10% of earners to $219,080 for the highest 10%. The District of Columbia, [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/new-york/”]New York[/hen-ui-link], and New Jersey top the list of highest-paying locations for this profession. According to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Chief_Nursing_Officer_(CNO)/Salary” target=”_blank”]Payscale[/hen-ui-link], the average chief nursing officer salary was $149,791 as of September 2025.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Common work settings for healthcare administrators include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Healthcare Administrator[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the best degree for a healthcare administrator?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare administrators often hold master’s degrees, such as an MHA or MPH. An MSN in nursing administration or nursing leadership can prepare RNs to be administrators.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How can nurses transition to a career in healthcare administration?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For bachelor’s degree holders starting out in entry-level healthcare administration, work experience leads to more responsibilities and higher salaries. Higher education and certification can pave the way to top-level positions in administration and leadership in hospitals, public health policy, and nursing education.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Do healthcare administrators get paid well?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes. Healthcare administrators often tend to earn [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/jobs-in-healthcare-administration/”]above-average salaries[/hen-ui-link]. According to 2024 BLS data, healthcare administrators earned a median annual salary of $117,960. By comparison, the average national wage across all occupations is $49,500. Per [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Chief_Nursing_Officer_(CNO)/Salary” target=”_blank”]Payscale[/hen-ui-link], chief nursing officers average $149,791 in annual salary as of September 2025.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is a degree in healthcare administrator worth it?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition to earning a competitive salary, healthcare administrators are part of a robust job sector. The BLS has projected that the field of medical and health services managers will grow 23% each year from 2024-2034.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Reviewed by:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Shrilekha Deshaies, MSN, CCRN, RN” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/e_grayscale/v1629922631/experts/Shrilekha_Deshaies.jpg” img-alt=”Shrilekha Deshaies, MSN, CCRN, RN” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrilekha-deshaies-57008133/” target=”_blank”]Shri Deshaies[/hen-ui-link], MSN, CCRN, RN, is a nurse educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. She is a certified [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/critical-care-nurse/”]critical care nurse[/hen-ui-link] and has worked in various surgical intensive care units, including cardiovascular, trauma, and neurosurgery. She is a founding member of Nurses Serving our Neighbors which advocates for the homeless population.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Shri Deshaies is a paid member of the Red Ventures Education freelance review network. [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare-review-partners//”]Learn more about our review partners[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex]