Hello there, welcome to another exhilarating read about Nurse Managers!
Today, we’ll walk you through every aspect of the life and career of a Nurse Manager.
At the end of this article, we must have gone over what a Nurse Manager is, Nurse duties, why you should become one, Nursing career and job prospects, and some common Nurse leadership frequently-asked questions.
We’ll take you through:
- What is a Nurse Manager?
- Nurse Manager Job descriptions
- Nurse Manager Skills Checklist
- The career outlook for a Nurse Practitioner in Nursing Administration
- Qualities of a Nurse Manager
Let’s get started right away!
What Is a Nurse Manager?
A Nurse Manager leads, oversees, and directs the Nurses who work in a hospital or other medical facility.
The Nurse Manager position is fast-paced, has many different parts, and requires organization, initiative, and critical thinking.
The role is very important to patient care because they are in charge of the Nurses who care for patients directly.
They must be very good at both Nursing and business tasks, such as managing budgets, putting together schedules, and dealing with people.
Nurse Managers make schedules for their staff, evaluate their performance once a year, and help make rules for the unit.
They also have a strong background in Clinical Nursing.
Nurse Managers are usually APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses) who have at least a master’s degree.
They are in charge of and in charge of the Nurses who work in a hospital or other health care facility.
As a Nurse Manager, you have a lot of responsibilities, but the job can be very rewarding.
The job of a Nurse Manager is similar to that of a Nurse Administrator, but it can mean different things depending on the hospital.
Nurse Manager Role and Job Description (What Do Nurse Managers Do?)
Nurse Managers are an important part of any healthcare organization.
In a clinic or hospital, they are in charge of supervising a Nursing unit.
This involves Nursing staff leadership roles, patient care oversight, and some management and budget choices.
In other words, instead of checking vital signs and assessing patients, they are organizing meetings, creating work schedules, and making personnel choices.
A Nurse Manager wears multiple hats and is responsible for many things, including:
- Collaboration with medical personnel
- Create instructional plans
- Serve as a link between hospital administration and other healthcare professionals
- Manage staff members’ disciplinary measures
- Contribute to the fulfillment of the healthcare facility’s mission
- Enhance the quality and effectiveness of patient safety and treatment
- Recruit and interview new Nurses
- Manage unit budgets
- Manage day-to-day Nursing care operations
- Oversee unit schedule
- Recruitment of new employees and retention of team members
- Educate future Nurses and other medical personnel
Where Do Nurse Managers Work?
Nurse Supervisors are employed in a range of work environments and healthcare settings.
Among them are:
- Physicians’ Offices: Nurse Managers serve as practice supervisors with their management skills in Doctors’ offices
Scheduling and staffing, adopting procedures and policies, and managing revenue cycles are among their tasks, which vary according to the size of where they work.
Non-clinical employees such as medical coders, secretaries, and medical billers may be under their supervision.
- Hospitals: Nurse Supervisors supervise the Nursing staff on a certain unit or within a specific department in hospitals
They train and hire new employees, oversee the unit’s finances, create discharge protocols and other plans, and serve as a liaison between facility management and Nursing staff.
- Rehabilitation Centers: Rehabilitation Center Nurse Managers are similar to hospital Nurse Managers
- Ambulatory Care Centers: Nurse Managers at ambulatory care centers are similar to Nurse Managers in medical practices
- Urgent Care Clinics: Nurse Managers at urgent care clinics are similar to Nurse Managers in Physician practices
- Skilled Nursing and Long-term Care Facilities: Nurse Managers at skilled Nursing and long-term care facilities are similar to hospital Nurse Managers
- Psychiatric Facilities: Psychiatric facility Nurse Managers are similar to hospital Nurse Supervisors
Nurse Managers can also work in non-clinical contexts including academic institutions and healthcare system corporate offices.
They may play a key role in developing new curricula that are more relevant to the issues Clinical Nurses will experience on the job in academic settings.
Nurse Managers assist with resource allocation, budgeting, and logistics planning in corporate settings.
They also work in care facilities, where they supervise Nursing personnel in various parts of the facility, such as a Nursing home or assisted living facility.
Nurse Manager Practice Requirement
Nursing Education Requirement
To become a Nurse Manager, a person must first get a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) from a Nursing program offered by universities or colleges recognized by the government.
To get an RN license as a Registered Nurse, the Nurse must pass a test called the NCLEX-RN.
After this, the Nurse must work directly with patients, preferably in an Acute Care setting like a hospital, to gain experience.
Experience length varies, but most employers for this type of job want at least 4-6 years of experience.
Many Nurse Managers are promoted from being staff Nurses in the hospital or rehired from other work settings if they are interested.
Most of the big health care organizations will also want you to have an MSN or be enrolled in a master’s program.
People with a master’s degree will make more than their peers who don’t have a graduate degree.
The next step is to get a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Master of Business Administration or Health Care Administration (MBA/MHA).
This step isn’t required for all Nurse Manager jobs, but it’s a big plus.
However, some Nurse Managers also find it helpful to get an MBA (Master of Business Administration) if they want to move up in their careers.
Nurse Manager Leadership Skill Requirement
Not all Nurses are destined for leadership positions.
Individuals must be willing to move away from bedside Nursing and assume a supportive position within the department to become successful Nurse Managers.
Strong Nurse Administrators must exhibit the following competencies:
- Clinical expertise
- Good listener
- Organized
- Flexibility
- Problem Solver
- Analytical
- Leadership
Nurse Leader’s Career Outlook
Nurse Managers are in high demand right now.
As the baby boomer population matures, there will be greater demand for long-term Nursing Care facilities.
Furthermore, Nurse Managers are typically older, as this position necessitates years of bedside experience.
The Nurse Manager’s salaries vary depending on the experience, context, and other criteria.
The national average annual wage according to payscale is $79,800 with a range of $59,300 to $108,500.
Nurse Managers typically earn higher pay in hospital settings, particularly in fast-paced Intensive Care Units.
Nonetheless, Nurse Managers will be required to supervise Nurses as the rate of employment for nurses is predicted to rise as well.
Employment in health care administration is expected to expand 30-33 percent through 2029, according to the BLS (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Approximately 139,700 additional Managers will be required.
Prospective candidates will find that the number of Nurse Manager jobs will grow faster in outpatient settings than in inpatient hospital units.
Challenges of Being a Nurse Manager
As the link between the Nursing staff and the organization, Nurse Managers have to deal with some challenges.
One challenge is making sure that the Nurses are well-trained and that the units have enough staff.
When there are problems with staffing, the manager must talk to float staff or a staffing office.
They have to say yes to overtime sometimes and ask Nurses to work on their days off.
Also, staff Nurses may be upset about staffing problems and often tell the manager directly.
Nurse Managers also need to be “cheerleaders” to keep their staff motivated and interested.
A lot of Nurses get burned out, and sometimes they need more help.
Staff meetings and activities that help people work as a team help keep people motivated, and Nurse Managers often lead these activities.
On the other hand, Nurse Managers must also evaluate and help staff who have trouble or won’t change.
This can mean more schooling, training, or even discipline.
Many Nurse Leaders build close relationships with their staff, which can make it hard for them to discipline or counsel them.
It’s important to step back and look at the big picture.
Sometimes discipline is needed for the good of patient care and the organization.
The needs of their organization, such as metrics and state/federal requirements, must also be met.
Performance measures should be looked at often and made better.
Professional Resources for Nurse Leadership
The American Organization of Nurse Executives and the American College of Healthcare Executives are great places for Nurses who want to learn more about Nurse Administrators and Nurse Managers to look for help.
There are many different kinds of information about Nurse Administrators, from professional development conferences to research articles.
People can get help from these professional groups throughout their careers as Nurse Managers.
Joining reputable groups is important if you want to stay up to date on the latest changes in healthcare administration and have the tools you need to make those changes at your job.
Here are other agencies and organizations that could be of great help too:
- Nurse Leader Journal
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
- American Nurses Association
What are the Pros and Cons of Being a Nurse Manager
Pros
Higher Salary
Nurse Managers earn more than staff Nurses annually.
Nurse Managers make an average of $68,500 against $51,500 for other RNs.
These data vary by area, experience, and degree, but they show compensation differences.
In a management post, nurses can receive a $20,100 income rise.
Flexible Hours
When you’re the boss, you get to choose your own schedule.
You must work full time, but you can choose when.
Nurse Managers typically work normal business hours, however, if you like to come in at 7:00 a.m. to get an early start on the day, you may be allowed to do so.
Whether you like night shifts or not, you can choose the optimal times for you.
Growth Potential
Nursing isn’t a “climb the ladder” career.
After years of expertise, Nurse Managers are frequently promoted to higher administrative positions.
As a Nurse Manager, you’ll interact with several hospital departments and have many chances to shine.
Best Nurse Managers often impress their bosses, leading to a promotion.
The Success of the Unit
The most rewarding component of being a Nurse Manager is that your team’s success depends on you.
Until recently, this job was called “Chief Nurse.”
You’ll oversee Nurses’ care, relay information, and steer the ship.
Without you, your team might fail.
Cons
Less Direct Patient Care
As a Manager, you’ll encounter some less-than-ideal situations.
For Nurse Managers, this means less patient care.
Many Nurses select the Nursing professional path because they enjoy direct patient contact.
While you will still have a significant impact on many patients’ lives, your involvement will be more peripheral than usual.
Administrative Duties
With less patient care duty, you’ll fill out more paperwork.
Most Nurse Managers are responsible for scheduling, budgeting, and recruiting/hiring.
This is a terrific way to improve your organizing abilities, but it may not be what you envisioned for your Nursing degree.
Work Follows You Home
Your work difficulties don’t end when you leave, unlike other Nurses.
With so much responsibility, you’ll probably find yourself working on schedules, budgets, or resumes late at night.
That doesn’t mean you won’t have time to yourself, but someone else can pick up where you left off after your shift.
Conflict Resolution
In the high-stress Nursing environment, disagreement is inevitable.
As a Nurse Manager, you must develop a solution that works for everyone and guarantees high-quality patient care.
Conclusion
If you are thinking about taking the next step in your Nursing career and becoming a Nurse Manager, then there is a strong chance that this position could be right for you.
However, becoming a Nurse Manager is not for everyone.
In order to be successful in their roles, Nurse Managers need to be highly empathic, organized, excellent communicators, and informed.
If you fit this description and are still interested in Nurse management, we highly encourage you to check out some of these job listings for Nurse Manager jobs around the country.
FAQs
Who are Health Services Managers?
Planning, coordinating, and directing health and medical services are the responsibilities of medical and Health Services Managers, who are often referred to as Healthcare Executives or Healthcare Administrators. They may be in charge of the administration of the entire facility.
Who are Human Resources Managers?
Managers of human resources are responsible for supervising, coordinating, and planning the process of hiring, interviewing, and recruiting new employees. They act as a crucial link between an organization’s management and its employees and provide advice to company executives regarding the formulation of long-term business strategies.
How Hard is it Being a Nurse Manager?
Nurse management is not for everyone. It’s a demanding job that might make you feel tugged in a dozen extra directions. You must be an ally and friend to the Nurses who function under your supervision while still implementing hospital standards and ensuring that things run smoothly.
Who is the Clinical Nurse Manager?
The Clinical Nurse Manager is responsible for supervising the Nursing staff working in a healthcare facility such as a hospital, medical clinic, or other healthcare location. In this line of work, you will be responsible for assessing the performance of Nursing Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Registered Nurses.
How Long Do Nurse Managers Last?
Five years is considered to be the “life span” of a Nurse Manager in any given role on average. According to data, a significant number of Nurse Managers transition out of their positions and into Nursing management. On the other hand, some Nurse Managers transition out of their current roles.
Is Being a Nurse Manager Worth it?
Nurse Managers have more responsibility than typical shift Nurses, which is a gain as well as a disadvantage. Working as a Nurse Manager will provide you with new and fascinating challenges.
What is CNML in Nursing?
The CNML (Certified Nurse Manager and Leader) certificate is reserved solely for Nurse Leaders who are performing duties associated with Nurse management. If you earn the CNML certification, you will quickly rise to the top of the leadership ranks in the medical community where you work.
What is a Nurse Manager Called?
Nursing Officer in UK English, Head Nurse or Director of Nursing in US English, and Matron or Nursing Superintendent in Indian English refers to the person in charge of Nursing in a hospital and the head of the Nursing staff.
What is Nursing Management?
The execution of leadership duties, such as governance and decision-making, within businesses that employ Nurses, is what’s meant to be understood as Nursing management. It comprises organizing, planning, controlling, staffing, and directing as well as other processes that are typical of management in general.
What is the Role of a Nurse Manager?
The duties of Nurse Managers include managing both human and financial resources and ensuring patient and staff satisfaction. keeping the environment safe for staff, patients, and visitors, ensuring that care standards and quality are maintained, and aligning the goals of the unit with the strategic goals of the hospital.
What’s the Difference Between Nurse Leader and Nurse Manager?
Nursing Managers are the individuals in charge of overseeing the day-to-day operations of Nursing departments as well as the staff members working in those departments. The majority of the time, leaders are responsible for overseeing Nursing teams and ensuring the overall success of the unit or hospital as a whole.
What Makes a Good Nurse Manager?
Clinical experience, leadership, communication, and collaboration skills are all required of an effective Nurse Manager in order to meet the demands of the role. These qualities, along with emotional intelligence, resulting in a stronger team, which in turn improves the delivery of Nursing services on the floor.
Who Does a Nurse Manager Report to?
The Director of Nursing is often the person who Nurse Managers report to directly (or possibly the Chief Nursing Officer, depending on the size of the organization).
What is CENP in Nursing?
The CENP (Certified in Executive Nursing Practice) is a credential intended for Nurse Leaders who are active participants in executive Nursing practice. By obtaining the CENP Certification, you will earn the respect of your peers in the medical field and become an executive.
