Advance your career with an MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration
| Accreditation | CCNE accredited,1 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Clinicals | Herzing pledges to help you secure clinical placement |
| Format | 100% online classes with flexibility to accommodate your lifestyle |
| Enrollment | Full-time and part-time options available |
| Dual credit | Earn dual credit towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) |
| Pathways | Graduate with an MSN and become qualified for our online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program; or choose a BSN to DNP-Nursing Leadership and Administration program |
| QuickPaths | 6 start-dates throughout the year; transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University |
Learn More Today!
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2025
Overview: MSN - Nursing Leadership & Administration
The Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Leadership and Administration degree is a 36-credit graduate program (BSN to MSN) which prepares you for a career as an executive or administrator in nursing. The online degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in health policy and management, nursing informatics, advanced pathophysiology, research methods and evidence-based practice, and much more.
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
Virtual services
Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
MSN-Nursing Leadership and Administration Program Curriculum
Focus on healthcare organizations as adaptive systems.
When it comes to nursing, no two days are the same. Healthcare is always innovating and changing. That’s why our program curriculum focuses on healthcare organizations as adaptive systems. Here, you’ll obtain the skills needed to understand the complex healthcare system. You’ll also gain the knowledge necessary to help facilitate change to achieve positive outcomes.
Integration of AONE core components
Herzing University’s MSN-Nursing Leadership and Administration degree program includes MSN core courses, specialty courses, a direct-care clinical course and a leadership clinical course. Our faculty have integrated the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) core components into the curriculum, which prepares our students to meet the competencies of nurse executives. Graduates are fully prepared to sit for the nurse executive-board certified (NE-BC) credentialing exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Options for RNs with an ADN
We also offer an RN to MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration program for nurses who hold associate degree in nursing.
Choose to go from RN to MSN or earn your BSN on the way in our RN to BSN to MSN track.
You may also choose to begin working towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) by applying for our BSN to DNP in Nursing Leadership and Administration program.
| Program | Months i | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Leadership and Administration (MSNNLA) | 16 | 36 |
i. Average number of months for students to complete program. Program availability varies by location.
Required Core Courses
All courses, 15.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Required Direct Care Courses
All courses, 9.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Required Specialty Courses
All courses, 12.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition & Cost
The cost of tuition for the MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration program is $625 per credit.
You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.
Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants—including our Nurses Circle of Achievement scholarship, which offers up to 10% tuition reduction.
Military/Veteran Discounts
Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.
Enrollment requirements
To enroll in Herzing’s Nursing Leadership and Administration program, prospective students must live in a state where Herzing University is authorized to offer the MSN-Nursing Leadership and Administration program, and:
- Hold a current, active and unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in the same state in which they practice. (Note: Holding a multi-state, compact state license and being a resident in a compact license state will be deemed to have met this requirement.)
- Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited university or college with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Your clinical placement is our pledge.
We understand securing clinical placement as part of an MSN in nursing leadership & administration program is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.
As a Herzing student, we’ll encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.
Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*
* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment documents.
What can I do as a nurse leader?
Grow your impact - and your career. Nurses who pair their clinical expertise with a master’s degree are prepared to take on rewarding challenges. They combine clinical expertise, compassionate care, business know-how and organizational insights that extend well beyond the walls of a patient room.
With a master's in nursing administration degree, you can extend your impact by touching even more lives. Advance your career by overseeing your entire unit. Or go beyond your nursing floor and become a director, nurse executive or even chief nursing officer overseeing an entire healthcare system. As a graduate of Herzing's nursing administration degree program you'll be well-prepared to work in management or leadership and administrative roles in settings such as:
- Acute care, primary care settings such as hospitals and clinics
- Major health systems
- Community-based health agencies
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.
Choose a nursing school who knows nursing
The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University - Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.1
Accreditation acknowledges that Herzing's nursing programs meet specific national standards including institutional resources, quality curriculum and teaching practices, and program outcomes related to completion rates, pass rates and employment.
Nurse administrators combine expert technical skills with leadership skills that set them apart. As doctorally-prepared, licensed registered nurses with a BSN, our faculty can offer you the knowledge to prepare you to lead. By building on your clinical expertise with business and organizational knowledge, you can more confidently prepare for leadership and management positions in nursing.
Through our MSN in leadership specialization, you will:
- Gain the tools to help you plan, implement and evaluate system-wide strategies to move your organization toward successful outcomes.
- Develop the business understanding to make high-level administrative decisions.
- Be prepared to analyze the impact regulatory agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the US Department of Health and Human Services, exert on healthcare systems. This includes human resources, fiscal stability and reimbursements, total quality improvement and attaining positive outcomes within a system.
- Gain the skills to help you confidently apply ethical and legal principles when making decisions to ensure the best care for all patients and their unique needs.
Nurses know their career field is ever-changing. A MSN in nursing leadership can help you stay at the forefront by offering you the tools you need to effectively evaluate your organization’s ability to adapt to the changing healthcare landscape.
You can complete the MSN in nursing leadership & administration program at Herzing University in as little as 16 months. Given the rigorous nature of the 36 credit program, many students find taking extra time to complete the program beneficial to getting the most out of their education.
Our goal is your empowerment and fulfillment; we help you work at a comfortable pace and offer a wide range of options for different types of students.
We understand it can be difficult to find a preceptor to complete your graduate clinical experience. Although we do encourage you to seek your best fit based on your specialty, Herzing University provides support and guidance in finding a preceptor and completing the online degree program.
Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
Didn't find the answer to your question? Send us an inquiry and we will be happy to answer all your questions!
A nurse leader sees the big picture without losing sight of the day-to-day. They are active in helping organizations move forward in response to an evolving healthcare industry.
Leaders in nursing have the administrative understanding and business expertise to make educated decisions and achieve the optimal balance between what’s best for the organization and what’s best for the patient(s). The importance of nursing leadership is highly evident when organizations struggle to find this balance.
Read more about the most important qualities and characteristics of leadership in nursing and what it takes to earn a higher level of roles and responsibilities as a nurse.
The idea of earning a MBA degree is often overlooked by nursing students – but it can be a very valuable way for a nurse to advance in their profession.
Understanding the motivations behind financial decisions made by hospital CEO’s and CFO’s is crucial to getting a seat at the table in the decision-making process. Working towards a master’s degree in business administration can put you in a position to advance professionally on the business side of healthcare. Learn more about why nurses should consider getting an MBA.
However, hospitals looking for a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) or Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) will most often prefer candidates with an MSN in Nursing Leadership. They will certainly consider a RN with an MBA, but the Master’s of Science Degree in Nursing is the top-tier credential most employers will be looking for.
Nursing administrators fall under the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) medical and health services manager category. According to the BLS, the average salary for medical health and service managers is $134,440 per year ($64.64 per hour).*
Discover how much nurse administrators can make by state and find salary estimates in the area near you.
Students considering career pathways between nursing vs. healthcare administration can potentially discover the best of both worlds. With the right experience, credentials, and additional education—yes, nurses can become a healthcare administrator. Deep experience as a nurse can be a major differentiator between you and other applicants for the position.
However, most employers will be seeking prospects with a doctoral, master or bachelor degree in healthcare administration. Herzing University offers a bachelor degree program in healthcare administration and an advanced online MHA program in healthcare administration for students seeking a career in these advanced roles.
A master’s degree may not always be required, but you will very likely need to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or be currently enrolled in a postgraduate program.
Attaining a master’s degree best qualifies you to apply for the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) and help you find the position you desire.
We offer multiple options for current nurses of all types, including pathways for ASN/ADN, BSN, and MSN degree holders.
View our available online Nursing Leadership and Administration programs.
Getting a master’s degree from an accredited nursing school is the biggest step you need to take to become a nurse administrator. If you have an ADN/ASN, BSN or RN diploma and hold a current, active and unrestricted license as an RN, you are eligible to enroll in the Herzing University online MSN or BSN to DNP program in nursing leadership & administration right now.
There are many different types of nursing leadership styles with varying levels of effectiveness depending on the working environment, including:
- Democratic
- Transformational
- Authoritarian (or "autocratic")
- Transactional
- Laissez-faire
...among several others. There are many unique theories of nursing leadership you’ll want to become familiar with throughout your development as a nurse leader. Understanding the right leadership techniques for you and your colleagues is crucial to keep morale high, ensure lines of communication are clear, maximize productivity and improve patient care.
With Herzing University you are never alone. It’s our goal to provide all students an affordable, career-driven education. Financial aid options include:
- Loan options – Federal & private
- Scholarships & grants
- VA / military benefits
- Other sources of financial aid
You can find an estimate for tuition and expenses by using the Herzing University tuition wizard.
The Student Experience at Herzing
Herzing’s nursing courses helped me grow professionally, and my instructors gave constructive feedback that helped ensure my success in the program. I had excellent instructors who were dedicated to helping me learn, and they truly got to know each of their students.
Judith Reilley
Nursing Student | Online CampusI had a great time at Herzing, even though working full-time while attending class was hard.
Marva Kelly Jones
Nursing Student | Online CampusThe program was a lot of work, but so worth it. I had a wonderful experience, and so will future students. Just put your all into it and you’ll come out on top!
Loren Arnold
Nursing Student | Online CampusAccreditation & Disclosures
1. The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University - Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
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Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.