Fact or Fiction: Gloria Akalitus as a Hospital AdministratorEdie Falco, who portrayed Carmela Soprano is HBO's The Sopranos, has crossed networks. Now responsible for one of Showtime's biggest hits, Nurse Jackie, Falco doesn't quite conform to the Nursing Code of Ethics; Jackie doesn't believe in following the rules, she believes in saving lives.  Photo credit: The Internet Movie Database Nurse Jackie is home to The West Wing's Anna Deavere Smith as Gloria Akalitus, a nurse-turned-hospital administrator. Akalitus is the butt of many a joke in the show, getting giddy off of Jackie's Percocet-laced coffee, accidentally tazering herself in an elevator, and questioning a gay nurse about how to obtain adoption papers for a child left at a nursing station. Where lies the line between fact and fiction in the characterization of this hospital administrator? Frankly, the line zig-zags. The hospital administrator is responsible for keeping the hospital a well-oiled machine. But in a dark comedy like Nurse Jackie, Akalitus is a walking punch line, providing a much needed dose of laughter amidst so much darkness. However, if her employees behaved themselves, Akalitus would most likely seem like an average nursing supervisor. In one notable episode, Akalitus urges Jackie Peyton to make a dying man vacate a bed due to overcrowding. Jackie engages Akalitus' more compassionate side by asking her to see the man not as an insurance payer but as a dying man. Akalitus allows Jackie until the end of the day to find him another place to stay, because she realizes that he'll be dying soon. This aspect of Akalitus' character may be legitimate. This makes sense, as it is plausible that a nurse could be promoted. Many hospital administrators started their healthcare career after completing a nursing degree with specific interest in administration. However, it's not a simple jump from nurse to administrator. Masters degrees in Health Services Administration, Public Administration or Business Administration are among the prerequisites for the position. Hospital administrators with financial backgrounds may go on to become Chief Financial Officers or Chief Executive Officers. Education includes a year of interning in a health care center, and most administrators begin as administrative assistants for large hospitals, before pursuing higher positions in smaller institutions. Therefore, it's unlikely that Akalitus would be working alongside her former peers, as she probably would have needed to move elsewhere to find a position. In another episode, Akalitus stays late to oversee Jackie making the time schedules, having noted that she always seems to be working with friends. The hospital administrator is charged with responsibility for the budget. The hospital administrator would be responsible for the schedule of the nurses being overseen. Finally, Gloria Akalitus appears to work alone. This is definitely true. Small hospitals generally don't need more than one hospital administrator, but large hospitals may need at least one in every department. All Saints, the fictional hospital at which Nurse Jackie works, comes across as a large hospital. As a result, it would be common for a health care administrator to oversee the entire department alone. You can make a difference in the field of health care with an advanced nursing degree. Take your time to learn about the nursing programs offered by the accredited online nursing schools below and request a free information pack from the schools that interest you. Online Healthcare Administrator Schools:
DeVry UniversityGraduate Certificate-Health Services Management Bachelor's - Business Administration - Health Services Management Make a difference with a graduate degree from DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management.
University of PhoenixAA in Health Care Administration AA in Health Care Administration - Medical Records AA in Health Care Administration - Pharmacy Practice BS in Health Administration - Emergency Management BS in Health Administration - Health Management BS in Health Administration / Health Information Systems BS in Health Administration / Long Term Care Doctor of Health Administration Master of Health Administration Master of Health in Administration / Gerontology Master of Health in Administration / Health Care Education Master of Health in Administration / Health Care Informatics MS in Nursing / Master of Health Administration MS in Nursing / MBA / Health Care Management At University of Phoenix, we believe everyone deserves access to higher education.
University of St. MaryMaster's in Business Administration - Health Care Management Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary.
American InterContinental University OnlineHealthcare Administration (Associate's) Healthcare Management (Bachelor's) Healthcare Management (Master's) The Healthcare Administration programs at AIU combine a core education in business with critical topics in healthcare management, such as organizational structures within the healthcare industry, ethics, and healthcare marketing.
Kaplan University OnlineNursing/Nurse Administrator (Master's) Healthcare Administration (Accelerated BS to Master) Adv. Start Healthcare Administration (Bachelor's) Healthcare Administration (Bachelor's) Healthcare Administration (Master's) The Kaplan University’s Health Care Administration degree programs will help prepare you to serve as a health care professional and to pursue supervisory roles industry wide.
Strayer UniversityBBA: Health Services Administration Masters: Health Services Administration MBA: Health Services Administration Earn a degree that fits your schedule at Strayer University.
Baker College OnlineBachelor of Health Services Administration Master of Business Administration - Health Care Management Earn a Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Master's or Doctorate for less at Baker College Online.
Western Governors UniversityM.S. in Nursing - Leadership and Management Online. Accelerated. Affordable. Accredited.
Northcentral UniversityHealth Care Administration - PhD in Bus. Admin. Health Care Administration - D.B.A. Earn your graduate degree online with Northcentral University.
Jones International UniversityMABC in Leading the Customer-Driven Organization MBA in Leading the Customer-Driven Organization BABC Leading the Customer-Driven Org Jones International University® offers bachelor's and master's degrees in Business, Education, and Technology.
National American UniversityMedical Staff Services Management Electronic Health Record Support Specialist Flexible career learning to fit your busy lifestyle - National American University.
Charter College OnlineBS - Health Care Administration You can advance your career with a degree from Charter College Online.
Argosy UniversityHealthcare Administration (MBA) (MS) in Health Services Management The Healthcare Administration program at Argosy University is targeted to enhance skills in the areas of the financial, organizational and the changing dynamics of the healthcare market.
Capella UniversityHealth Care Administration (Master's) Health Care Administration (Doctoral) The Health Care Administration programs at Capella University cover a wide range of health care management topics, including managed care, policy, law, finance, quality improvement and other course work designed to enhance your ability to successfully guide and strengthen the delivery of health services to consumers.
Grand Canyon UniversityHealth Care Administration (Master) M.B.A.: Health Systems Management M.B.A. and M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems (dual degree) M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems M.S. in Health Care Informatics The Master of Science in Health Care Administration (MSHCA) provides the skills and experience necessary to perform as middle- and upper-level managers in a variety of health care organizations, and to serve as innovative change agents and leaders of organizational improvement and adaptation within the health care industry.
South UniversityBusiness Administration - Healthcare Admin (MBA) Healthcare Management (Bachelor's) Gain real-world experience in the healthcare management field before completing your degree through an internship program with healthcare facilities that might include hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory care facilities, physician practices, and pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies.
Ashworth CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Health Care Administration Earn your degree or diploma on your schedule and succeed at Ashworth College.
Walden UniversityHealthcare Administration (Master's) Develop the skills, knowledge, and expertise in health care management needed for leadership positions across the spectrum of health care delivery organizations.
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