Nurses are often called upon to take on managerial roles. While this may not be the ideal career path for everyone, it can be a valuable step for those looking to advance their careers and impact healthcare.
An MSN nurse administrator program with a leadership focus can equip nurses with the skills and tools to step into a management role. Here are some of the benefits of pursuing this degree track:
Improved Patient Care
Nurses are not used to thinking of themselves as leaders, but many have a leadership role and can provide valuable input into the ongoing healthcare reform process. This includes improving work processes on the front lines, designing innovative new care models, and serving on institutional and policy-making boards where critical decisions affecting patients are made.
Firm leadership is also vital in ensuring that nurses deliver high-quality patient care. This means providing guidance and support to staff members who face challenging situations and preventing conflicts that could interfere with patient care.
An MSN in Nursing Administration program at Lamar University equips nurses with advanced research skills and nurse leadership concepts to elevate nursing practice standards. Learn more about this online master’s degree program and apply today!
Improved Patient Safety
It has been over a decade since the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System, elevated awareness around patient safety. This national focus has led to a proliferation of research, tools, and protocols for preventing medical errors.
Nursing leaders can improve patient safety by establishing strict patient identification and medication administration protocols. Keeping up with the latest research from trustworthy sources and using evidence-based practice is essential for improving patient outcomes.
The nurse administrator can also help improve patient safety by ensuring adequate nurse staffing on a unit-by-unit basis and shift-by-shift basis. This requires close coordination between management and nursing and depends on factors like acuity, turnover, and available support staff. The nurse manager can also assess the current safety culture of a unit by choosing a validated patient safety assessment tool.
Increased Employee Satisfaction
Nurse administrators can positively impact a variety of aspects within a healthcare organization. They use their leadership and managerial skills to direct nursing staff, set policies, ensure compliance with laws and regulations, and address budgeting.
Staff satisfaction is important to any company, and nursing leaders are responsible for ensuring employees are happy. Nurse administrators can do this by offering rewards for achievements, such as gift cards.
Another way is to build a professional network. This can help nurses stay up-to-date with the latest trends in nursing and gain insight into new career opportunities. It can also provide emotional support and encourage collaboration between healthcare professionals. UIndy offers an online MSN in Nursing and Health Systems Leadership program with competitive tuition, flexible scheduling options, and top-tier faculty and student support.
Increased Profits
Nurse administrators are an integral part of a facility’s management team, with a focus on healthcare costs and operations. They’re also responsible for hiring and training new staff members. As a result, they’re highly sought after in the job market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nurses in management positions earn higher salaries than those who work as registered nurses (RNs).
If you’re interested in nursing leadership, consider an MSN degree like Health Systems Leadership program. This specialty track helps you gain managerial expertise and advanced nursing and healthcare knowledge to propel your career to the next level.
Improved Work Environment
Nurse administrators often work to elevate the standards of nursing, helping improve patient outcomes. This requires collaboration and leadership skills, which are honed through graduate education.
MSN-educated nurses can also mentor new nursing students and help them succeed. This can significantly increase the number of skilled nurses and contribute to alleviating the current nursing shortage.
Aside from fostering collaborative relationships at the nursing level, MSN-educated nurses can work with other healthcare professionals to create efficient and accessible healthcare systems. Moreover, an MSN degree prepares nurses for administrative roles that require the skills to manage research, legal and ethical issues, finances, and strategic planning. This helps them bridge the gap between healthcare needs and nursing capabilities to improve the healthcare system.
