There are many accredited nursing degree programs in Massachusetts offer nursing administration tracks to produce the Commonwealth's next generation of clinical nurse leaders. As New England's most populous state with 6.7 million residents, Massachusetts has thriving health care and biotechnology sectors. The "Old Colony State" has several top-ranked hospital systems, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Baystate Medical Center, Lahey Hospital, and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Massachusetts currently employs more than 92,900 RNs and 17,300 LPNs. This skilled nursing workforce depends on competent administrators to coordinate services that keep Massachusites healthy. The BLS recognizes Massachusetts for America's third highest concentration of health administration jobs. On average, these APRN leaders earn an annual salary of $112,050. Prepare yourself for climbing into leadership roles by checking out these master's degrees in nursing administration.

American International College

School of Health Sciences

Established in 1885 by Reverend Calvin E. Amaron to serve the French Protestant minority, American International College has broadened to educate more than 2,100 multi-cultural students as a private, co-educational liberal arts institution. AIC offers regionally accredited education from a beautiful 58-acre urban campus in the Mason Square district of Springfield, Massachusetts, just 23 miles north of Hartford. Designated "Military Friendly" by GI Jobs magazine, AIC was given an "A" from Niche for campus diversity. The School of Health Sciences houses seven programs ranging from physical therapy to public health, including one of the accredited nursing degree programs in Massachusetts.

Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administrator Concentration

Hard-working RNs with any undergraduate major can enter AIC's Master of Science in Nursing program to become advanced practitioners in the health care industry. The two-year program offers three CCNE-accredited concentrations, including Nursing Administrator. Following this 36-credit track allows nurses to develop the analytical, thoughtful leadership skills to face complex administrative issues in nursing practice. Cohorts strengthen their managerial capacity to assume upper-level positions fully online in as few as 24 months. Core coursework explores nursing politics, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing research, business administration, and financial management. During the second spring term, MSN students complete an eight-credit clinical practicum with an administrative mentor. Graduates qualify for the AACN's Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) designation.

Accreditations

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact

1000 State Street
Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 205-3700
[email protected]
https://www.aic.edu/school-of-health-sciences/program/nursing-msn/

Endicott College

The Van Loan School

Endowed for $62 million, Endicott College is a private, co-educational liberal arts institution initially founded in 1939 by Eleanor Tupper and growing to educate over 5,200 students from its 235-acre suburban campus on Massachusetts' Gold Coast in Beverly near Brindle Beach. Included within the Princeton Review's "Guide to 353 Green Colleges," Endicott is ranked the North's 66th best regional college and 50th top school for veterans by the U.S. News. Money magazine placed Endicott 645th nationally for affordability and overall value though. The Van Loan School houses 11 graduate programs, such as accredited nursing degree programs in Massachusetts, conveniently on-site and online.

Master of Science (M.S.) Program in Nursing Administrator

At Endicott, the Master of Science (M.S.) Program offers a traditional master's pathway for BSN-prepared registered nurses and a pre-master's pathway for RNs with an associate degree. Both courses of study develop upon existing clinical knowledge to unlock advanced professional roles of greater responsibility. The Nursing Administrator track follows ACEN guidelines to give students the leadership experience needed for managerial health care jobs. Courses place emphasis on risk management, strategic planning, patient safety, human resources, budgeting, economics, and health care law. The 33-credit curriculum is completed in a hybrid format with online and face-to-face sessions. Accelerated six-week courses are available. For capstone, nurses participate in an administrative internship and develop an e-portfolio.

Accreditations

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact

376 Hale Street
Beverly, MA 01915
(978) 232-2332
[email protected]
http://www.endicott.edu/VanLoan/Graduate-Studies/Master-Science/Nursing.aspx

Salem State University

School of Nursing

Ideally located on a 115-acre suburban campus in Salem less than 15 miles north of Boston and its famed Life Sciences Corridor, Salem State University is a public, four-year higher learning institution carrying an $18 million endowment to educate around 9,200 students. Boasting 12 Fulbright Scholars, Salem State performed more than 300,000 hours of community service for the President's Higher Education Service Award. Salem State also provides an average annual ROI of 5.1 percent according to PayScale. The School of Nursing holds approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing to prepare leading-edge health practitioners.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Leadership in Health Systems Track

Registered nurses with a BSN or ADN and unencumbered licensure can join Salem State's CCNE-accredited Master of Science in Nursing program for career advancement. The 39-credit program offers three specialty tracks, including Leadership in Health Systems. Here MSN students build expertise for excelling as administrators in tomorrow's demanding medical field. Similar to other accredited nursing degree programs in Massachusetts, it's conveniently scheduled for working nurses to complete evening courses either full-time or part-time. With a student-faculty ratio of 15:1, RNs develop collaborative relationships for significantly contributing to nursing leadership. The curriculum delves into evidence-based practice, health assessment, organizational development, human resources management, finance, economics, and health policy. Entrants with a minimum 3.3 GPA are exempt from the GRE exam.

Accreditations

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact

352 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 542-6624
[email protected]
https://www.salemstate.edu/nursing/

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

College of Nursing

Belonging to the five-campus UMass system since 1991, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public, state-funded research institution educating more than 9,500 students from its 710-acre suburban campus on the South Coast in Dartmouth across Buzzards Bay from Martha's Vineyard. Named the 24th best master's-level university for social mobility in Washington Monthly, UMass Dartmouth is the North's 83rd top university, 24th best public college, and 61st best school for veterans according to the U.S. News. Honored in Scrubs Magazine among the "Top 100 Grad Schools for Nurses," the College of Nursing has the 128th best MSN program in America.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult Health/Nurse Manager

Graduates admitted to the Master of Science in Nursing program at UMass Dartmouth can select the Adult Health/Nurse Manager concentration to promote high-quality individual care across adulthood, including geriatrics. Registered nurses sharpen their managerial skills to influence health system development and shape nursing care for good patient outcomes. Those not holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can catch up with Dartmouth's unique Graduate Admissions Program (GAP). The 39-credit curriculum brings together PhD-level faculty with expertise areas like staff relations, health policy, cardiac critical care, health disparities, women's health, psychiatric care, and nursing leadership. Nurses must complete at least 200 to 300 hours of mentored practicum with community partners before graduation.

Master of Science in Nursing – Community Health/Nurse Manager

The UMass Dartmouth offers another of the accredited nursing degree programs in Massachusetts with a MSN concentration in Community Health/Nurse Manager. Requiring 39 credits, this CCNE-accredited route takes a broaden stance at preparing administrators who coordinate culturally appropriate care to families, groups, and whole populations across the lifespan. Face-to-face courses train RNs to use evidence-based leadership practices for retaining a qualified workforce that guides patients through illness. Didactic instruction is supplemented with lab simulations and 200+ hours of clinical practicum. Popular internship sites include St. Anne's Steward Hospital, SouthCoast Health System, and Massachusetts General Hospital. Admission requires a bachelor's degree, minimum 3.0 GPA, RN license, and at least one year of acute care experience.

Accreditations

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact

285 Old Westport Road
Dartmouth, MA 02747
(508) 999-8582
[email protected]
http://www.umassd.edu/nursing/graduateprograms/msprogram/

Supervisory roles in nursing can be attained with a BSN, but earning a master's degree is often preferred for advanced leadership. Registered nurses who invest in graduate education can excel as nursing administrators, patient services managers, clinical operations directors, community health directors, nursing home administrators, home health managers, and more. Some could even land C-Suite positions as Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs). Employment prospects are especially bright because nursing administration is poised to grow by 17 percent through 2024. Health care organizations are searching for talented leaders with the business and clinical expertise required to pioneer improved patient services. If your vocational calling goes beyond the bedside to the boardroom, these accredited nursing degree programs in Massachusetts will train you to organize effective nursing departments.

Related Resource: Top 10 MHA Online Programs 2016-2017