The Importance of an Advanced Degree for Nurses in Health Care

Current literature supports the promotion of nurses to the administration level focusing on areas that have shown positive outcomes such as improved patient care and staff satisfaction. An advanced degree in business, nursing, or health administration is a valuable choice for nursing administrators in today’s health care environment to provide the necessary education for these positions. The primary objective of this study was to determine the benefit to hospitals of an advanced degree in the role of hospital administrators; as well as to investigate the perceptions of current nurse leaders in the hospital setting and their application of an advanced degree in administrative roles. The study was conducted using a quantitative survey designed to evaluate the gaps in the role of the advanced degree and the nursing executive and their practice in the hospital environment. An online survey provided data related to specific perceptions that included recommendations for preparation of candidates for advanced nursing positions, methods utilized to assist nurses to advance, and the requirement of an advanced degree for such positions