Women in Healthcare Administration: Attaining Leadership Roles
Women working in health care fields today do not encounter the same challenges that their mothers and grandmothers did. As with other sectors, society has come a long way in rectifying inequalities in the health care workforce.
Women are stepping into new leadership roles, and the face of health care is far more diverse than it was fifty or even ten years ago. Nearly 80% of healthcare workers are women. In the area of health care administration specifically, the number of women in executive roles continues to grow.
However, women are still under-represented in the highest areas of health care leadership. In addition, according to a 2008 report by the Journal of Healthcare Management, there is still inconsistency in salaries received by men and women working in healthcare administration.
According to a survey conducted by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), women executives are more likely than men to work as a department head or other staff member. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to fill roles such as chief executive officer (CEO), president, or vice president. Over a fifteen-year period represented by ACHE's surveys, the proportion of female CEOs did not improve significantly. Similarly, over that fifteen-year period, the salary gap between men male and female healthcare executives did not diminish significantly.
Another study, conducted by the University of Michigan, examined the gender of chief hospital administrators in the United States. The 100 hospitals used in the study were hand-picked for their progressiveness and high quality. Only 24% of chief administrators at these hospitals were women. Over 60% of the hospitals employed only one or no women chief administrators. Only 15 of the hospitals had a female CEO.
What might be the reasons for women's underrepresentation in top healthcare administrative roles, as well as for the discrepancy in salary? According to the Journal of Healthcare Management, current research seems to indicate that "gender differences in mentoring and leadership succession planning are key barriers that need to be addressed." Perhaps healthcare needs to invest more time and effort toward mentoring opportunities and leadership development for women.
In the absence of an infrastructure that provides opportunities for women to move into top administrative positions on par with their male counterparts, women have been creating these opportunities for themselves. The "A-team" was created in the mid-1980s when a small group of female healthcare professionals decided to develop a strategy to help one another attain top administrative positions within their healthcare organizations. In a few short years, nearly half of the women were CEOs. Today, dozens of similar groups provide support, concrete guidance and key information to female healthcare professionals.
Regardless of the present gender imbalance in healthcare administration, men and women all have to go through the same programs, pass the same exams, and gain the same types of experience in order to qualify for administrative roles. Women who are just starting out in healthcare administration can give themselves a head start by planning their career goals, while staying flexible to the changing needs of the health industry.
For example, women who want to become nurse administrators and advance significantly in their career will need a Master's degree in Nursing, so it makes sense to plan their educational path in the most efficient way possible. Nursing degree programs include many options, such as LPN to RN, LPN to BSN, RN to BSN and RN to MSN. The appropriate degree program should be selected in the context of one's ultimate career goals, rather than momentary convenience or cost.
Many women are choosing online healthcare administration degree programs to achieve the needed educational qualifications to move into management roles. This is a wise move, as online degree programs typically take less time to complete and frequently offer more personal attention and a higher caliber of practical content.
As healthcare administration starts to overcome the key barriers that have contributed to the decade-spanning stagnation of women's roles, more leadership roles will become available for female healthcare workers. In order to be prepared for those roles, women entering health care should focus on attaining the best education possible.
Take Charge Of Your Future With A Degree In Healthcare Administration
Take the next step towards earning an accredited Healthcare Administration degree online. Select schools that offer Healthcare Administration programs that match your interests and fill out the short request form to receive free, no-obligation information about tuition, program length, admissions, and financial aid directly from school admissions counselors:
Explore Healthcare Administration Degree Programs
Keiser University
Campus
Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.
Programs:- Health Services Administration, AA (Online)
- Fort Lauderdale
Independence University
Campus
You can advance your career 24/7 with online education at Independence University, your proven partner with over 30 years of experience in delivering quality distance education right to our students. Our programs are designed to allow you to continue working and earning as you pursue your online degree.
Programs:- BS - Health Services Management
- MS in Health Services - Health Promotion program
- MS - Healthcare Administration
- Salt Lake City
Walden University
Online
Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.
Programs:- Ph.D. in Health Services - Course-based - Self-Designed
- Ph.D. in Health Services - Self-Directed - Leadership
- Ph.D. in Health Services - Course-based - Health Care Admin
University of Phoenix
Campus
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs:- A.A. in Health Care Administration
- Master of Health in Administration/Health Care Education
- BS in Health Administration
- Online
- Phoenix
- Oklahoma City
- Colorado Springs
- Ann Arbor
- Washington
- Culver City
- Houston
- Orlando
- Pittsburgh
- Marietta
- Macon
- Fort Collins
- Tucson
- Clarksville
- Oakland
- Henderson
- Arlington
- Appleton
- Murrieta
- Saint Paul
- Sacramento
- Clinton Township
- Kapolei
- Spring
- Overland Park
- Austin
- Saint Louis
- Miami
- Livermore
- Murfreesboro
- Woodland Hills
- Palm Beach Gardens
- Costa Mesa
- Harrisburg
- Westlake
- Mesa
- Elk Grove
- Cordova
- Sandy Springs
- Sarasota
- Chandler
- Salida
- West Chester
- Aurora
- Ontario
- Reston
- Atlanta
- Manassas
- Southfield
- St. Louis
- Jacksonville
- San Antonio
- Kansas City
- Rogers
- Columbus
- Diamond Bar
- Lathrop
- East Lansing
- Springfield
- Westminster
- Irving
- Nashville
- Savannah
- Independence
- Metairie
- Augusta
- Las Vegas
- Pasadena
- Portage
- Hollywood
- Dallas
- Beale AFB
- Daytona Beach
- San Jose
- Bellevue
- Nogales
- Brookfield
- Santa Fe
- Baton Rouge
- San Diego
- Livonia
- Madison
- McDonough
- Gardena
- Lancaster
- Birmingham
- Fairfield
- Albuquerque
- San Francisco
- Meridian
- Grand Rapids
- Troy
- Killeen
- Mililani
- Saint George
- Tulsa
- Tampa
- Clearwater
- Sugar Land
- Rancho Cordova
- Duluth
- Hurst
- Snellville
- Indianapolis
- Fort Lauderdale
- Los Angeles
- El Paso
- Lone Tree
- Renton
- Yuma
- St Louis Park
- Milwaukee
- Columbia
- Flint
- Maitland
- Bossier City
- Temple Terrace
- Plainfield
- Fairfax
- Louisville
- Roseville
- Plantation
- San Bernardino
- Bakersfield
- Charlotte
- Chula Vista
- Fayetteville
- Salt Lake City
- Santa Teresa
- Pleasant Grove
- Chattanooga
- Reno
- Braintree
- Visalia
- Beachwood
- Flowood
- Greensboro
- Raleigh
- Clearfield
- Burlington
- Carolina
- El Centro
- West Des Moines
- Fresno
- Westborough
- Minneapolis
- Palm Desert
National American University
Campus
Since its beginnings in 1941, National American University has been a cornerstone of higher education, keeping pace with the ever-changing advancements of technology, while holding onto core values that provide a caring and supportive environment for all students.
Programs:- Medical Staff Services Management
- Health Care Management
- Electronic Health Record Support Specialist
- Rapid City
- Saint Paul
- Albuquerque
- Minneapolis
- Rio Rancho
- Hopkins
- Colorado Springs
- Watertown
- Sioux Falls
- Wichita
- Lees Summit
- Burnsville
- Tulsa
- Kansas City
- Littleton
- Mesquite
- Overland Park
- Austin
- Saint Charles
- Bellevue
Baker College Online
Campus
Baker College Online is fully accredited and offers over 40 programs that will help you earn your Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Master's or Doctorate degree affordably. Learn more now.
Programs:- Bachelor of Health Services Administration
- Master of Business Administration - Health Care Management
- Lisle
Florida Technical College
Campus
Florida Technical College has structured its Health Care, Technology, and Programming curricula to achieve one thing for its students: success in the real world.
Programs:- Health Service Admn, Medical Asst and Health Info Tech
- Orlando
Daymar Institute
Campus
We Change Lives... One Person At A Time®. We offer certificate, associate degree, and bachelor's degree programs for careers in a variety of fields, including medical, criminal justice, computer technology, and business.
Programs:- Health Care Administration
- Clarksville
Charter College
Campus
Prepare for a better career and a brighter future with help from Charter College. Our accelerated Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree, and Certificate programs are designed to help you complete your education as quickly as possible. We offer year-round classes and flexible scheduling - study anytime from anywhere. Our small class sizes and dedicated instructors ensure a personalized education experience. We provide students not only with the technical skills necessary for success, but also job search and placement assistance so you can find the job that's right for you after graduation.
Programs:- Health Care Administration
- Vancouver
- Bellingham
- Oxnard
- Anchorage
Keiser University Campus
Campus
Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.
Programs:- Health Services Administration, BA
- Health Services Administration, AA (Online Only)
- Health Services Administration, AA
- Lakeland
- Hollywood
- Melbourne
- Tallahassee
- Daytona Beach
- Tampa
- Miami
- Port Saint Lucie
- Sarasota
- Fort Lauderdale
- West Palm Beach
- Fort Myers
- Orlando
Strayer University
Campus
Get the right foundation for your future with a degree from Strayer University. Evening, weekend and online classes are all available to meet the needs of busy adults.
Programs:- BBA: Health Services Administration
- Masters: Health Services Administration
- MBA: Health Services Administration
- Millersville
- Knoxville
- Lawrence Township
- Fairborn
- Lexington
- Newport News
- Springfield
- Savannah
- Akron
- Pittsburgh
- Augusta
- Mason
- Suitland
- Woodbridge
- Center Valley
- Sandy
- Raleigh
- Maitland
- Washington
- Morrow
- Hollywood
- Rosedale
- Irving
- Columbus
- Pompano beach
- Willingboro
- Huntersville
- Owings Mills
- Ashburn
- Chesapeake
- Feasterville Trevose
- Alexandria
- Douglasville
- Milwaukee
- Jacksonville
- Cedar Hill
- Newark
- Houston
- Miami
- Louisville
- King Of Prussia
- Piscataway
- Greensboro
- Columbia
- Birmingham
- Midlothian
- Dallas
- Lithonia
- Huntsville
- Concord
- Indianapolis
- Greenville
- Metairie
- Morrisville
- Philadelphia
- Tampa
- Orlando
- Cleveland
- Schaumburg
- Fredericksburg
- Atlanta
- Memphis
- Manassas
- Plano
- Palm Beach Gardens
- Nashville
- Downers Grove
- Austin
- Little Rock
- Virginia Beach
- North Charleston
- Warrendale
- Charlotte
- Glen Allen
- Florence
- Arlington
- Roswell
- Rockville
- Fort Lauderdale
- Cincinnati
- Scott Depot
Kaplan University - KHE
Campus
Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan University can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science: Health Care Administration
- Associate of Applied Science: Medical Office Management
- Cedar Falls
- Omaha
Albertus Magnus College
Campus
Earn your degree and advance your career with Albertus Magnus College. We offer bachelor's and master's degrees and adult accelerated programs in a wide variety of fields, including science, business, criminal justice, communications, education, and much, much more.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a Concentration in Healthcare Management
- East Hartford
Kaplan University International
Campus
Programs:
- BS in Health Care Administration
- Master of Health Care Administration
- BS in Health Science
- Fort Lauderdale
Colorado Technical University
Campus
Prepare to meet the challenges of tomorrow with a degree from Colorado Technical University. CTU offers career-track programs in a variety of in-demand fields.
Programs:- Denver - Bachelor of Science - Health Services Administration
- Denver - Associate of Science - Health Administration Services
- Denver North - Bachelor of Science - Health Services Administration
- Englewood
- Denver
- Sioux Falls
- Colorado Springs
