Reach for your highest career goals in nursing
| Accreditation | CCNE accredited,1 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Clinicals | Hands-on clinicals—we pledge your clinical placement! |
| Format | 100% online classes |
| Certification | Prepare to sit for the Nurse Executive-Board Certified (NE-BC) credentialing exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) |
| Pathways | Go from ADN to MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration (NLA) in our accelerated RN to MSN program, or earn your BSN on the way in our RN to BSN to MSN-NLA track |
| Dual credit | Earn dual credit towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) |
| QuickPaths | 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: RN to MSN in Nursing Leadership & Administration
The Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Leadership and Administration degree is a 52-credit graduate program (RN 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 community and public health nursing, health policy and management, nursing informatics, 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.
RN to MSN-NLA classes and curriculum details
Herzing’s RN to MSN curriculum provides students with the knowledge, skills and expertise to become nurse leaders in diverse healthcare and academic environments. Classes include foundational courses, core courses, specialty courses and direct care and leadership courses.
All classes are delivered online with 180 required clinical hours as part of the MSN-NLA degree.
RN to BSN to MSN-NLA track
This track combines our online RN to BSN and BSN to MSN-NLA degree programs. You can view their respective curriculums with all course information here:
| Program | Months i | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Leadership and Administration - Accelerated RN-MSN (MSNNLAA | 20 | 52 |
i. Average number of months for students to complete program.
Required Bridge Courses
All courses, 16.00 semester credit hours, are required prior to completing graduate level coursework.
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 RN to 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 10-20% tuition discount.
RN to MSN-NLA program enrollment prerequisites
Enrollment requirements are the same whether you choose the accelerated RN to MSN-NLA or RN to BSN to MSN-NLA track. Prerequisites include:
- Live in a state where Herzing University is authorized to offer the RN to MSN program
- Hold a current, active and unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in the same state in which they practice
- Hold an associate degree (ADN/ASN/AASN) in nursing from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university
- Participate in an interview to identify your goals and determine if the program is right for you
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 RN to MSN in Nursing Leadership and 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.
Pathways
Choose your path to go from RN to MSN-NLA
RN to BSN to MSN-NLA Track
Earn your BSN on the way from RN to MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration and graduate with your master’s degree in nursing.
- Curriculum built to help earn a BSN and MSN faster
- How long? 28 total months on average
- Earn a bachelor’s degree that is often required by employers
Accelerated RN to MSN-NLA
Bridge directly from an ADN to MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration in the Herzing Accelerated RN to MSN program.
- Curriculum built to accelerate your MSN-NLA completion
- How long? As few as 20 months
- Ideal for nurses who are not required by their employer to hold a BSN
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.
Your career options in nursing leadership & administration
Earning a master’s degree in nursing in leadership and administration can position you for many types of roles in hospitals, long-term care facilities, private practices and more.
Duties typically span both strategic leadership and operational management, including:
- Setting and managing departmental budgets
- Defining policies and procedures
- Working with committees and boards to set goals for nursing staff
- Collaborate with community partners and internal stakeholders to strategically plan for the growth of an organization
- Recruiting, hiring and arranging professional development for nursing staff
- Coordinate with medical staff and represent the nursing department in meetings with other hospital or healthcare executives
Job outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is expected to rise 29% from 2023-2033, much higher than the average across all U.S. occupations.*
It’s an excellent time to begin working towards entering a field poised for significant growth.
How can I continue advancing my career? Nurse managers, executives and administrators may pursue additional credentials in a post-master’s certificate program. Herzing University offers post-master’s certificates in nursing education, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 $137,730 per year ($66.22 per hour).*
Discover how much nurse administrators can make by state and find salary estimates in the area near you.
The Student Experience at Herzing
You need to bring compassion to the job each day. I can promise you that any patient you see might look at you and say, ‘I want that to be me someday.'
Michelle Snyder
Nursing | Online CampusAccreditation & Disclosures
1. The master's degree program in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Herzing University Madison are 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.
* BLS pay estimates calculate the median annual wage for various occupations. Per the BLS the median wage for an occupation is: "The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey." Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024. BLS median wage estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geographic market in which you want to work, and degree level and field, will affect career outcomes, including starting salary and earnings as an experienced employee. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the median salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, particular wage or salary, 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.