Nurse Leader Career
What Do You Do In This Career?
A nurse leader is a nurse practitioner with a designated position of authority. Nurse leaders provide a supportive and stimulating environment for staff as well as patients. For registered nurses interested in an administrative, managerial, or executive role, nurse leadership is a program specifically designed to develop the knowledge and critical thinking skills required to assume management responsibilities. Nurse leaders are often responsible for overall management of his/her nursing unit.
Salary and Career Information
- Salary: Nurse leaders can earn an annual salary of $89,242, depending on type of practice, education level, and years of experience.
- Nurse Leader Requirements: To practice as a nurse leader you must first earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing, and be able to practice as a registered nurse. Then you can complete a Master of Science in nursing with a specialty in nurse leadership.
- Work Environment: Nurse leaders work as consultants, or in a hospital or other large medical facility. Nurse leaders can also work for the government or non-profit agencies.
What Kind of Coursework Can You Expect in This Program?
Nurse leadership programs cover a wide range of objectives including how to motivate, inspire, and empower students to successfully lead a team of health care professionals. Courses cover such topics as effective leadership skills, how to implement valuable recruitment and retention processes, and methods for addressing barriers among staff.
Earn an Online Nurse Practitioner Degree
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who holds a graduate-level degree. While in most states RNs currently need only a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) degree to become nurse practitioners, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has proposed that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) be the minimum requirement for all advanced practice nurses by 2015. Listed below are the best online colleges offering accredited MSN and DNP degrees.
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Georgetown University — The Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies offers two online Master of Science in nursing degrees. The MS in family nurse practitioner program prepares students for careers as family nurses. The MS in midwifery / women's health nurse practitioner program perpares students for careers as nurse practitioners who specialize as midwives and caring for female patients. |
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Kaplan University — The MSN nurse administration, nurse education, and nurse informatics degree programs from Kaplan allows nurses with bachelor's degrees to take their careers to the next level. Students of these programs will learn advanced nursing theory, health policy, evidence-based decision making, financing, and more. |
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University of Phoenix — The Master of Science in nursing for nurse practitioners from the University of Phoenix is a flexible online program from an accredited school. Students will learn advanced nursing skills, finance, change management, and evidence-based nursing research. Upon completion, graduates will be well prepared to advance their nursing careers. MSN specialties are offered in health education and health informatics. Dual degrees (MSN + MBA and MSN + MHA) are also available. |
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American Sentinel University — American Sentinel University offers a basic RN to MSN degree, as well as several specializations within this program, including case management, infection prevention and control, management and organizational leadership, and nursing informatics. Graduates of these programs will all have a fundamental understanding of health and illness and will be able to provide direct care to individuals, families, and groups with a variety of health needs. |
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University of Cincinnati — The MS in nursing degree program with a specialization in women's health practice offered online by the University of Cincinnati is geared toward nursing students wanting to receive expert training on women's health issues. Cincinnati also offers many other nurse practitioner degree programs, including MSN specialties in clinical nursing, nurse midwifery, and psychiatric & mental health nursing. |
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