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Best Online Degrees in: Nursing Management

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Explore a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Management

It takes a skilled and knowledgeable individual to effectively manage a staff of nurses and other medical personnel. A nursing manager is required to ensure that proper care is being given to patients and can be held responsible should anything go wrong. If you're interested in this challenging and rewarding career, you may want to consider earning an online bachelor's degree in nursing management, which can usually be earned in four years. However, the amount of time it takes you to complete a nursing management program will depend on factors such as whether you are a full-time or part-time student, the number of transferable credits you've earned in the past and can use toward your degree, your ability to successfully complete each course, and the specific requirements of your program.

Class Curriculum

A nursing manager program will combine knowledge of medicine and healthcare with the skills needed to effectively manage. Each nursing management bachelor's degree program will differ from the next, but the following are some of the more common courses:

  • Nursing Management and Leadership. This course will focus on the relationship between management and leadership by covering principles related to each. Students will learn how to communicate with and motivate staff, how to establish and accomplish goals, and monitor and improve staff performance.
  • Healthcare Systems. This course will cover the history, development, and structure of the U.S. healthcare system. Students will also learn about issues facing the healthcare industry and the nature of providing healthcare services.
  • Critical Thinking. This course will develop a student's ability to think critically, assess situations, and find solutions to problems. Students will also learn about barriers that can impede critical thinking and how to overcome them.

As a nursing management major, your assignments may consist of researching and writing papers on various topics, such as medical terminology, legal aspects of the healthcare industry, the role and authority of a medical and health services manager, and conflict resolution. Many programs require students to expand their learning to beyond the classroom by completing a certain number of clinical hours in which they visit a healthcare facility and learn from a nursing manager in the field.

Building a Career

Earning your bachelor's degree in nursing management will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to acquire, maintain, and manage a staff of competent, qualified medical personnel, including registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and patient care assistants. These skills can be put to use in hospitals, nursing homes, doctor's offices, and patient care centers. However, even though earning your bachelor's may qualify you for a position as a nurse manager, it does not guarantee employment.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical and health services managers are expected to see an employment increase of 22% through 2020. The BLS also shows that medical and health services managers earn an average income of $84,270 a year. However, your income may be different from the national average, depending on several factors, such as the city and state you work in, the type of facility you work in, and your level of experience.