MBA in Nursing
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“Having an MBA and a nursing degree has enabled me to grow in my career faster and into leadership roles. Most nurses are excellent clinicians, but many struggle when they move into leadership roles because they haven’t been exposed to the business side of managing an organization. Having a well-rounded educational background has helped me develop unique clinical strategies that align with organizational quality and financial goals.”
Jennifer Brullo, DNP, MBA, Senior VP of Patient Care Services, VNS Health
In America, healthcare is an industry largely run by administrators. The need for organizations to meet the bottom line requires leadership that understands the fundamentals of finance, accounting, management, and human resources. But healthcare organizations also need to prioritize the values and perspectives of their patients and providers to meet the standards of the value-based care era.
Nurses who advance into leadership positions are well-equipped to provide a balance of the compassionate, practical, and holistic perspectives needed to run healthcare organizations, and run them well. And to advance into those leadership positions, nurses are increasingly turning towards business-focused graduate degrees like the MBA.
The options for those looking to get an MBA with a focus in nursing fall into two categories: a dedicated MBA program with a focus in healthcare administration, nursing administration, or healthcare management; or a dual-degree program that combines a business-oriented MBA with a master’s degree in nursing (MSN). The former category is for those who already hold an MSN or are working as an advanced practice nurse (APRN), while the latter is designed for those working as registered nurses (RNs).
To learn more about the types of nursing-focused MBAs available, read on.
| Featured MBA Programs for Nurses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University | Online MBA/MSN - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems | View School Profile |
| Purdue Global | Online MBA - Health Care Management | View School Profile |
| Purdue Global | Online MSN-MBA | View School Profile |
| Benedictine University | Dual MBA-MSN | View School Profile |
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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Meet the Expert: Jennifer Brullo, DNP, MSN, MBA, RN, NE-BC
Dr. Jennifer Brullo is the senior VP of patient care services at VNS Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit home and community-based healthcare organizations. In her role, she provides exemplary direction, management, and identification of clinical operational improvement strategies and evaluation of home care services for the certified home health agency.
Dr. Brullo has decades of experience in healthcare administration and is an accomplished senior executive managing home care teams. Before becoming SVP of patient care services, she led VNS Health’s Personal Care division.
BSchools.org: How has graduating with an MBA and a nursing degree enhanced your career?
Dr. Brullo: Having an MBA and a nursing degree has enabled me to grow in my career faster and into leadership roles. Most nurses are excellent clinicians, but many struggle when they move into leadership roles because they haven’t been exposed to the business side of managing an organization. Having a well-rounded educational background has helped me develop unique clinical strategies that align with organizational quality and financial goals. This balance is especially critical in the value-based care environment.
Being an MBA-prepared nurse has also helped me become a more effective leader and executive. Nurses are natural leaders. Having a clinical and business perspective has made me a better leader and enabled me to connect with my clinicians, understand their challenges, effectively communicate the reasons for change, and lead effective cross-functional teams to drive success. Whole-person care is at the heart of everything we do, but the healthcare system can be challenging for patients and clinicians. My MBA experience helps me empower the dedicated and talented home health care teams I lead so those challenges can be worked through with focus and care.
BSchools.org: What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring MBA and nursing student?
Dr. Brullo: I urge an aspiring student to consider starting a program early in their nursing career. Having the necessary skills can help fast-track your career, make you a better clinician, and even help you articulate your thoughts and ideas on how to drive change in your role or organization. It will also set you up for success when you transition into a manager role and give you a competitive advantage.
Featured Schools with Online MBAs & Nursing Programs
The MSN-MBA online dual degree program offered by Purdue Global aims to equip nursing professionals with both advanced nursing and business expertise, preparing them for leadership roles in healthcare and other industries. This flexible online program allows students to balance coursework with their nursing careers, offering clinical experience through workplace placements or other convenient locations.
The curriculum covers advanced nursing roles, epidemiology, business communications, and financial management, among other areas. Graduates can pursue certifications such as Nurse Executive (NE-BC) and Nurse Executive, Advanced (NEA-BC), benefiting from the program’s accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Career opportunities for graduates include positions as general and operations managers, medical and health services managers, clinical data managers, and registered nurses. Financial aid and tuition savings are available for eligible students, making this program a comprehensive pathway to creating advanced business solutions for complex healthcare issues and mastering fundamental business management principles.
| Location: West Lafayette, IN |
| Accreditation: CCNE; ACBSP |
| Time to Complete: 2.5 years |
The master of business administration (MBA) and master of science in nursing (MSN): nursing leadership in health care systems dual degree program at Grand Canyon University is tailored for experienced nurses holding a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) who aspire to advance their careers. This comprehensive program merges advanced nursing competencies with essential business management skills, preparing graduates for leadership positions within the healthcare sector.
The curriculum emphasizes developing advanced management skills while upholding principles of human dignity and the common good in healthcare. Flexible online and evening classes accommodate working nurses, making balancing professional responsibilities with academic advancement feasible. Additionally, the program offers an MSN-MBA bridge pathway option for nurses with a bachelor’s degree who seek to gain financial, organizational, and administrative expertise, enabling them to pursue careers on the business side of healthcare.
| Location: Phoenix, AZ |
| Accreditation: ACBSP |
| Time to Complete: Two years |
Benedictine University offers an accelerated online MBA program designed to provide flexibility and specialization for today’s professionals. The program includes 30 credits of foundational coursework in financial accounting, economics, and organizational behavior, with core courses covering managerial accounting, global strategic management, and project management. Students can opt to add a concentration in digital marketing or project management, extending the program to 39 credits.
Also, dual degree options are available, such as the MBA-MPH and MSN-MBA programs. The program can be completed in as little as one year by taking two classes per session, facilitated through the Engage Learning Management System, which promotes interactive sessions with faculty and peers. Financial aid, including scholarships and federal aid, is available to support students in financing their education.
| Location: Lisle, IL |
| Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
| Time to Complete: Two years |
California University of Pennsylvania offers an online MBA with a concentration in nursing administration and leadership that provides nursing professionals with a broad perspective on the business issues critical to medical settings.
Nursing-focused courses include health policy in nursing; financial management in nonprofit healthcare organizations; information systems for nurses in nonprofit healthcare organizations; corporate finance; and strategic management. The program consists of 36 credits in total.
| Location: California, PA |
| Accreditation: ACBSP |
| Time to Complete: 30 months |
The online dual-degree MSN/MBA program at UT Tyler is designed for working nurse professionals. Students will gain a broad understanding of the business issues most critical to medical settings.
Courses include leadership in the healthcare environment; legal, regulatory, and financial management; nursing administration in delivery of care; accounting for management control; and advanced financial management. The dual-degree program consists of 63 credit hours in total.
| Location: Tyler, TX |
| Accreditation: CCNE; AACSB |
| Time to Complete: Two to three years |
Kent State University offers an online dual degree MSN/MBA program with a concentration in nursing administration and health systems leadership. The program is designed for experienced nurses who aspire to middle or executive management positions in healthcare organizations.
Students will develop competencies in leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal/group management; they’ll also get practicum experiences with healthcare leaders with nursing backgrounds. Although there are no on-campus requirements, online students are welcome to visit the campus and will be invited to various on-campus events throughout the year. The dual-degree program consists of 56 credits in total.
| Location: Kent, OH |
| Accreditation: CCNE; AACSB |
| Time to Complete: Two to three years |
Johns Hopkins University offers a hybrid dual-degree program that combines an MBA with an MSN that specializes in healthcare organizational leadership. Graduates will be prepared to provide exceptional patient care and also effect change at the healthcare leadership and corporate levels.
The coursework can be further tailored to focus on management and administration, information technology, health policy, or case management and population management. While most MBA classes can be taken online, some do include a residency component. The dual-degree program consists of 65 credits in total and 504 clinical hours.
| Location: Baltimore, MD |
| Accreditation: CCNE; AACSB |
| Time to Complete: Two to three years |
The online healthcare MBA at Florida International University is designed for healthcare professionals who want to develop the business and leadership skills needed to change the wider healthcare environment; applicants are advised to have at least two years of work experience.
The curriculum combines core MBA topics with healthcare-specific coursework, and all courses are taught by executives who have experience managing healthcare organizations. Students will also need to complete three residencies (which can be completed remotely). Residency options include topics such as healthcare economics; oral communications; statistics fundamentals; Lean Six Sigma; and analytics.
| Location: Miami, FL |
| Accreditation: AACSB; CAHME |
| Time to Complete: 18 months |
The online MBA in healthcare management offered by Western Governors University utilizes a competency-based learning model instead of a credit-hour learning model. Students will take courses and complete them when they can demonstrate mastery of the subject in question.
Courses include topics such as managing organizations and leading people; operations management; data-driven decision making; and financial management. A final capstone course in healthcare management synthesizes all skills contained within the curriculum, and presents them in a simulated business problem. The program consists of 11 courses in total.
| Location: Millcreek, UT |
| Accreditation: ACBSP |
| Time to Complete: Two years |
Admissions Requirements for Online MBA in Nursing Programs
Admissions requirements for online MBA in nursing programs will vary from school to school and program to program. In particular, programs with an MSN component will have different requirements than MBA-only programs.
Typical requirements for MBA programs can include:
- A competitive undergraduate GPA (3.0 or greater)
- Completion of prerequisite business courses
- A personal statement
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Work experience
- GRE and/or GMAT scores
Typical requirements for MSN programs can include:
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN)
- State licensure as a registered nurse (RN)
- Completion of background check and drug screening
- CPR certification
- Letter from a state board of nursing
- Professional recommendations
- Clinical experience
Applicants to MBA in nursing programs, and applicants to dual-degree MSN/MBA programs, are advised to contact any potential program’s admissions department for more specific details.
Accreditation and State Authorization of MBA in Nursing Programs
Accreditation affirms that educational programs are teaching relevant and high-quality material. Accrediting agencies perform regular evaluations on accredited institutions to ensure that they meet industry-wide standards of excellence. While many undergraduate programs are accredited at the regional level, graduate programs in many areas have industry-specific accreditation.
At the graduate level, nursing programs should be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
MBA programs should be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (AABSP) or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Graduate programs focusing on healthcare management may also be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
State authorization determines how much an educational institution may offer instruction outside its home state. This applies to all online educational programs, but it’s particularly relevant in online nursing programs, which may be more regulated than other forms of distance education. State authorization is dependent upon multiple factors, including state reciprocity agreements. For more information, contact a potential program’s admissions department, or visit the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) website.
Salary & Career Outlook for Nursing MBAs
Nurses with MBAs are positioned as leaders in two of the nation’s fastest-growing job sectors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024), the need for medical and health service managers is set to grow 28 percent between 2022 and 2032, and the need for advanced practice nurses is forecast to grow 38 percent over the same timeframe. By comparison, the growth rate estimated for all professions is only 3 percent, giving nurses with MBAs competitive qualifications.
Salaries for both types of jobs are approximately double the national average for all occupations at $65,470, according to the BLS (2024). Medical and health services managers earn median annual salaries of $110,680 per year while advanced practice registered nurses earn median salaries of $129,480.
