Online Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing Administration

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Overview

Prepare for leadership at every level.

Whether you're making high-level organizational decisions, elevating the quality of patient care, or guiding your colleagues to success, your leadership skills are vital in health care. The online MSN in Nursing Administration program from Bradley University can help you hone those skills so you can lead when it counts the most.

CALENDAR

Application Deadline:
November 15, 2025

Upcoming Start Date:
January 21, 2026

With our online nursing degrees, you can:

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Learn 100 percent online with no campus residency requirements

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Complete clinicals locally

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Choose your site preceptors

Why earn an online MSN in nursing administration degree?

Nursing is an essential role. So is leadership.

The nursing workforce is evolving — and not just due to regulatory changes and increased demand for primary care services. An influx of new nurses is expected through the next decade, and they'll need more than experienced teachers. They'll need exceptional leaders. That's exactly what Bradley's online MSN in Nursing Administration program can prepare you to become.

You've taken the first step to advance your nursing career by earning your RN. Now it's time to take a giant leap forward. Graduate from our online RN to MSN in Nursing Administration program, and you can:

  • Successfully navigate today's complex and multifaceted health care system.
  • Develop a command of the art and science of patient-centered care.
  • Explore health policy and its impact on evidence-based clinical practice.
  • Advance your expertise in financial management, human resources, and health care IT.
  • Thrive as a nursing leader in nearly any health care organization.
Is an online MSN in nursing administration right for you?

Need help deciding if our online RN to MSN program best aligns with your current needs and future goals? We can help.

Our online MSN in Nursing Administration program is an ideal choice if:

  • You're an experienced RN and you're ready to distinguish yourself as a leader.
  • You're motivated, analytical, and are interested in the business of health care.
  • You wish to advance your professional career and eventually earn your DNP.
  • You're ready to earn an advanced credential that can elevate your earning potential.

Here are a few other ways to know if an online MSN from Bradley is the right choice for you:

  • You want to collaborate with and learn from other aspiring nurse administrators.
  • You want a flexible online learning environment that fits your busy schedule.
  • You're eager to learn from a faculty of passionate and experienced clinicians.
  • You prefer small class sizes; Bradley offers a 12:1 student faculty ratio.

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Higher Learning Commission

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The master’s degree program in Nursing, Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Bradley University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Careers

You became a nurse because you want to help people. And you are. Every day, you’re making a difference in the lives of patients and their loved ones.

Now you’re ready to have an even greater impact in your career. Earning an online Master of Science in Nursing from Bradley University can get you one step closer to accomplishing this goal. Our program can help you develop the skills to:

  • Expand the scope of care you provide
  • Specialize your expertise in an area you’re passionate about
  • Lead and mentor the next generation of nurses

Your master's degree can also qualify you for a wide range of new roles. Bradley’s MSN program offers three tracks - Nursing Administration, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - which means you can focus your studies in the area that aligns with your interests and desired career path.

Continue reading to learn more about the industry outlook and some of the opportunities you can pursue when you earn your Bradley degree.

What's your growth potential?

When you earn your online MSN from Bradley, you can position yourself for a rewarding career where skilled professionals like you are in high demand.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ranks nurse practitioner as the second-fastest growing occupation nationally, with more than 211,000 jobs expected to be added by 2029 — a 52% increase.

The BLS also anticipates significant growth in the nursing administration field, predicting a 32% increase (133,200 new jobs) in the medical and health services managers sector over the same time period.

Let’s take an in-depth look at a few of your career options:

Nursing Administrator (MSN-Nursing Administration)

Where can you work?

  • Hospitals and medical clinics
  • Home health care agencies
  • Nursing care facilities
  • Pharmaceutical corporations
  • Insurance agencies
  • Acute care and emergency settings
  • Outpatient care centers
  • Private doctors’ offices
  • Community health agencies
  • Medical device companies
Nursing Director | Median Salary: $152,212*

Nursing directors are responsible for administering nursing programs in hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities. They help to maintain standards of patient care by implementing/overseeing policies, hiring and managing staff, maintaining compliance, overseeing budgets, and playing a role in strategic decision-making.

Nurse Supervisor | Median Salary: $96,687*

Nursing supervisors help to improve the quality and delivery of care for patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Typical responsibilities include managing nursing staff, ensuring a healthy work environment, establishing policies and procedures, interacting with patients and their families, and communicating with physicians regarding patient care.

Clinical Nurse Leader | Median Salary: $91,537*

These professionals are responsible for enhancing patient outcomes by focusing on care provided at the clinical, rather than the administrative level. This role may involve mentoring nursing staff, evaluating care plans and outcomes, coordinating direct care activities among nursing staff, and collaborating with physicians, pharmacists, social workers, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to ensure that patients are receiving optimal care.

Nurse Manager | Median Salary: $112;400*

Nurse managers oversee nursing teams in health care facilities, presiding over a wide range of resource management and administrative tasks. Responsibilities may include hiring and managing staff, monitoring budgets, administering patient care practices, ensuring compliance with regulations, developing protocols, and providing for professional development opportunities.

*Salary.com

Curriculum

Depending on your entry-level education, Bradley offers two options to earn your online Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration degree.

RN to MSN-Nursing Administration

If you have an ADN, nursing diploma, or non-nursing bachelor’s degree, we offer bridge courses that can start you on the path from an RN toward an MSN-Nursing Administration degree.

  • 39–40 credit hours*
  • 2.3 years
  • 350 clinical hours

*Includes 9 undergraduate hours from RN completion courses

BSN to MSN-Nursing Administration

If you already have your BSN, you may be eligible to start working toward your MSN-Nursing Administration right away. No bridge courses are required for this entry path.

  • 30-31 credit hours
  • 1.7 years
  • 300 clinical hours

The innovative curriculum of our online RN to MSN in Nursing Administration program expertly blends the disciplines of nursing, management, and business to prepare you for leadership in the modern health care marketplace.

Online RN to MSN-Nursing Administration Curriculum

For students with an ADN, nursing diploma, or non-nursing bachelor's degree.

Bridge Courses

NUR 300 Conceptual Basis for Professional Nursing Practices / 3 Credits

Theories of nursing, professional roles, the nursing process, adaptation theory, nursing research, and societal influences on nursing and health.

NUR 303 Research in Nursing / 3 Credits

As a consumer of research, the student evaluates published nursing research and its importance to the profession. The student examines the steps of the research process in critiquing literature and writing a comprehensive review of literature. Use of the computer in nursing research correlated with the study of the research process.

NUR 404 Community Health Nursing - Theory / 3 Credits

Explores the role of the nurse in community settings. Applies principles of epidemiology, health promotion, and disease prevention to nursing practice. Examines the core functions of public health nursing, essential services, and population-based practice.

NUR 407 Community Health Practicum RN-MSN* / 1 Credit

Selected community practicum experiences will be correlated with theoretical content of NUR 404.

Core Courses

ENC 510 Statistical Procedures / 3 Credits

Principles and procedures for statistical interpretation of data. Study of measures and control tendency, variability, correlation, and introductory predictive and inferential statistics.

NUR 501 Nursing Theories: Analysis and Development / 3 Credits

Analysis of theoretical models. Emphasis on assessment and implications of models for advanced professional nursing practice and research.

NUR 526 Evidence Based Practice / 3 Credits

Allows the learner to explore theories related to the generation of evidence, Research Utilization (RU), and Evidence Based Practice (EBP). Issues from practice areas are identified, developed, and refined into a researchable project.

NUR 615 Health Informatics / 3 Credits

Introduces the learner to concepts in health informatics and provides the foundation for practice in the healthcare technology field. Explores healthcare data, clinical information management systems, security, personal productivity applications, consumer informatics, legal issues, and professional skills, knowledge, and certifications related to health informatics.

NUR 630 Nursing Administration I (Theory) / 3 Credits

Theories, concepts, and principles from nursing and related disciplines as a foundation for nursing administration. Theories of change, role, adaptation, need, and leadership as related to nursing management.

NUR 631 Nursing Administration I - Practicum* / 3 Credits

Practicum applying concepts, theories, and principles from NUR 630. Use of relevant research findings. Advanced practice in management.

NUR 632 Nursing Administration II (Theory) / 3 Credits

Advanced concepts and principles relevant to external and internal nursing organizational situations including power, authority, and politics. Review of various organizational patterns and their relationship to nursing personnel management, budgeting, public relations, leadership style, and research.

NUR 633 Nursing Administration II (Practicum)* / 3 Credits

Practicum applying advanced concepts, theories, and principles from NUR 632. Use of management skills such as staffing, budgeting, and developing positive public relations.

NUR 640 Healthcare Policy / 3 Credits

Explores health policy development and implementation and its impact on healthcare regulation, delivery, and finance. There is a focus on wellness and promotion of health for local, national, and worldwide health initiatives. Students will define healthcare provider roles in health promotion, healthcare delivery, and quality improvement through activities related to health policy reform and finance.

NUR 690 Professional Aspects of Advanced Nursing Practice / 2 Credits

Designed for the nurse to explore the professional aspects and challenges associated with advanced practice nursing. Tailored to meet the needs of a variety of specialties including a focus upon organizational, systems, and population strategies.

NUR 697 Capstone Project in Nursing / 3 Credits

A student-initiated endeavor that culminates in a scholarly project, which synthesizes advanced practice knowledge and skills to address a current nursing practice issue related to chosen advanced practice field of study. May be repeated for a maximum of three semester hours.

Total Credit Hours: 39–40**

*Clinical or practicum courses require a preceptor.
**Includes 9 undergraduate hours from RN completion courses
Note: Curriculum is subject to change.

Online BSN to MSN-Nursing Administration Curriculum

For students with a BSN or who have completed the bridge courses.

BSN to MSN-Nursing Administration

ENC 510 Statistical Procedures / 3 Credits

Principles and procedures for statistical interpretation of data. Study of measures and control tendency, variability, correlation, and introductory predictive and inferential statistics.

NUR 501 Nursing Theories: Analysis and Development / 3 Credits

Analysis of theoretical models. Emphasis on assessment and implications of models for advanced professional nursing practice and research.

NUR 526 Evidence Based Practice / 3 Credits

Allows the learner to explore theories related to the generation of evidence, Research Utilization (RU), and Evidence Based Practice (EBP). Issues from practice areas are identified, developed, and refined into a researchable project.

NUR 615 Health Informatics / 3 Credits

Introduces the learner to concepts in health informatics and provides the foundation for practice in the healthcare technology field. Explores healthcare data, clinical information management systems, security, personal productivity applications, consumer informatics, legal issues, and professional skills, knowledge, and certifications related to health informatics.

NUR 630 Nursing Administration I (Theory) / 3 Credits

Theories, concepts, and principles from nursing and related disciplines as a foundation for nursing administration. Theories of change, role, adaptation, need, and leadership as related to nursing management.

NUR 631 Nursing Administration I - Practicum* / 3 Credits

Practicum applying concepts, theories, and principles from NUR 630. Use of relevant research findings. Advanced practice in management.

NUR 632 Nursing Administration II (Theory) / 3 Credits

Advanced concepts and principles relevant to external and internal nursing organizational situations including power, authority, and politics. Review of various organizational patterns and their relationship to nursing personnel management, budgeting, public relations, leadership style, and research.

NUR 633 Nursing Administration II (Practicum)* / 3 Credits

Practicum applying advanced concepts, theories, and principles from NUR 632. Use of management skills such as staffing, budgeting, and developing positive public relations.

NUR 640 Healthcare Policy / 3 Credits

Explores health policy development and implementation and its impact on healthcare regulation, delivery, and finance. There is a focus on wellness and promotion of health for local, national, and worldwide health initiatives. Students will define healthcare provider roles in health promotion, healthcare delivery, and quality improvement through activities related to health policy reform and finance.

NUR 690 Professional Aspects of Advanced Nursing Practice / 2 Credits

Designed for the nurse to explore the professional aspects and challenges associated with advanced practice nursing. Tailored to meet the needs of a variety of specialties including a focus upon organizational, systems, and population strategies.

NUR 697 Capstone Project in Nursing / 3 Credits

A student-initiated endeavor that culminates in a scholarly project, which synthesizes advanced practice knowledge and skills to address a current nursing practice issue related to chosen advanced practice field of study. May be repeated for a maximum of three semester hours.

Total Credit Hours: 30–31

*Clinical or practicum courses require a preceptor.
Note: Curriculum is subject to change.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for Bradley’s online RN or BSN to MSN-Nursing Administration program, you must meet the following qualifications:

  • ADN, diploma, or BSN from a regionally accredited college or university and an NLNAC-, ACEN-, or CCNE-accredited* nursing program. If you have an ADN, diploma, or non-nursing baccalaureate degree must complete NUR 300, 303, 404, and 407.
  • Proof of a current, unencumbered RN license.
  • Nursing GPA average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

You must also submit the following:

  • Completed online application
  • Nonrefundable $40 application fee
  • Official transcripts of academic credentials
  • Personal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Résumé

Learn from innovative nursing leaders.

The dedicated faculty members who lead our online MSN-Nursing Administration program are committed to helping you succeed as you take the next step in your nursing career. They each bring a broad base of clinical expertise and professional experience into our online classrooms every day, and they are eager to share their knowledge with you.

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