If you are considering earning a master's degree in nursing administration in Utah, you might consider one of the programs highlighted in this article. One of the schools offering the degree is a brick-and-mortar institution that offers the program in a traditional format and the other two are online schools. All are accredited, and that is an important consideration. None of the schools are for-profit businesses. Each program allows you to take your nursing career into the realm of administration while still focusing on the fundamental core of nursing practice.

Independence University

School of Healthcare

Independence University began in 1978 as the California College for Health Sciences, and has been known under its current name since 2005. It is the online component of Stevens-Henager University. There are four schools: The School of Healthcare, which offers the nursing administrator degree, The School of Business, The School of Technology and the School of Graphic Arts. The university touts a career-focused approach which means that students don't take a lot of classes out of their discipline. That allows them to have a narrower focus and complete the degree sooner. Some degrees are earned in 20 months or less.

Master of Science in Nursing Administration

This degree program is intended for registered nurses who have a nursing bachelor's degree. The program equips you to get an entry-level position in nursing management. You could work as a nurse supervisor, as a teacher, as a healthcare services manager or even as an administrator in a long-term care facility. It is entirely online and can be completed in 15 months of full-time study. There are 56 credits in the degree program including courses in areas like Health Services Financial Management, Health Services Marketing, Outcomes Assessment, Quality Management, Healthcare Information Systems, Research and Evaluation Methods, Pathophysiology and Nursing Leadership.

Accreditations

  • Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Contact

School of Healthcare

Independence University

4021 South 700 East

Salt Lake City, Utah

84107

1-855-425-9044

https://www.independence.edu/healthcare/masters/nursing-administration

Weber State University

Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions

Weber State University is a public school that was founded in 1889 as Weber State Academy. It became a junior college in 1933, and it assumed its current name in 1991. The US News and World Report ranks the school as #76 of Regional Universities West. It is also ranked #25 of Top Public Schools. The student-to-faculty ratio at Weber is 20:1. That is comparable to many universities. There are seven colleges at Weber as well as an integrated studies degree program, an honors program and several integrated disciplinary programs. The College of Health Professions in this Utah school offering a nurse administrator degree is expanding. It combines science with career skills and knowledge and a foundation in liberal arts.

Master of Science in Nursing, Administrator Concentration

The MSN in Nursing Administration is a traditional program meant for people who have a baccalaureate degree in nursing and nursing experience. It is intended to prepare professionals in nursing administration, college-level teachers and nursing educators. If you enter this degree program, you will earn 15 credits in MSN core classes like Evidence-Based Practice and Research and Statistics. There are 21 required credits in your concentration. These courses are in subjects like Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Administration and Financial Issues of Nursing Administration. There is also a residency built into the program. At the culmination of your courses, you will have the opportunity to take optional advanced core electives. The required 36 credit hours are spread over a four-semester duration with nine credits taken per semester.

Accreditation

• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

• Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management

• ACEN

Contact

Dr. Exekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions

Weber State University

3848 Harrison Blvd.

Ogden, Utah

84408

801-626-6136

http://documents.weber.edu/catalog/0809/~MSN.htm

Western Governors University

College of Health Professions

This university was formed as an agreement between 19 governors who saw the need for affordable online education. The not-for-profit school began in 1997 when each of the governors contributed $100,000 toward the project. The school is competency-based; if you attend Western Governors University, you will demonstrate your conquest of the material through a set of assessments. In 2015 the National League for Nursing designated the College of Health Professions as a "Center of Excellence." There are four undergraduate degree programs at Western Governors and eight graduate programs. Because you will earn your degree online, you will likely graduate sooner than students at a traditional school. The average time taken to complete the undergraduate program is three years.

Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management

If you study nursing administration at this Utah university, you will be able to choose the best option for you. Option one is for registered nurses who have a bachelor's degree in nursing and a valid nursing license. You should be able to spend at least 15 hours a week in studies. The average completion time for this degree is two years. You will be assigned a faculty mentor who will help you personalize your program so that you can stay on the pace. That is currently eight credit units per term. Option two, the RN-MSN program, is intended for registered nurses who hold a diploma or an associate degree in nursing, and who have an unencumbered license as a registered nurse. In either program you will take general education courses, courses in health sciences and courses in nursing theory and leadership.

Accreditation

• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

• CCNE.

Contact

College of Health Professions

Western Governors University

4001 South 700 East

Salt Lake City, Utah

84107

801-274-3280

http://www.wgu.edu/online_health_professions_degrees/rn_msn_nursing_leadership_specialization_domains

The programs at these schools add an expertise in leadership and in management-administration to the foundation you have laid in nursing practice. Whether you intend to earn your graduate degree online or through a traditional program, the nursing administrator programs offered at these Utah universities will prepare you for a satisfying and rewarding career.

Related Resource: 30 Most Affordable Online Nursing Administration Degrees (MSN)