Nurse Manager Jobs

America and many other countries around the world are experiencing a huge crisis and shortage of nurses. The need for health care professionals is increasing everyday, which makes now a perfect time to join the industry. Some of the hardest jobs to fill are in nursing management. Becoming a nurse manager takes time but is also one of the most fulfilling positions for those who have a passion for nursing and want to combine that with their leadership skills.

 

To excel in nursing management you must have strong leadership and communication skills, the ability to make quick decisions and oversee other nurses within your organization professionally and fairly.

 

Like all career paths in nursing, there are several different levels of management depending on how far up you wish to go, but the fact remains that there is a huge demand for people to fill these positions. As a result, if you go into this career, you will have job security and unlimited jobs available to you.

 

Did You Know? If the nursing shortage isn't rectified, hospitals won't be able to lower the incidence of negative outcomes with their patients. One study reports that if the number of registered nurses in a hospital is not increased, there will be an increase in the number of patients suffering from lung failure, pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections.

Nurse Manager Job Responsibilities

Nurse managers will have different responsibilities depending on what level of management they achieve. Some will manage small groups of other nurses, oversee a department or an entire facility. The main objective for all nurse managers is to be able to plan, direct, lead and control the people they're responsible for.

 

Other responsibilities might include overseeing day to day operations, preparing and managing a budget, hiring and training new staff and handling issues that may arise both with patients and among the nursing team. Although some days as a nurse manager might seems very hectic and stressful, the difference you can make in creating a strong team will help patients, and you'll be able to ensure that they all receive the highest quality of care.

 

You can find nurse managers working just about anywhere you find nurses working, although most do work in hospitals, they are also found in long-term care facilities, hospice care units and clinics as well.

Nurse Manager Job Requirements

There are four basic levels of management that nurses can achieve within their career, but to even be considered for a role in nurse management you must be a RN with at least two to three years' experience. At this point a nurse would be eligible to qualify for the first management role known as a change nurse and oversee a specific unit. For the next three levels there is no experience time that is need, but if you can prove your dedication and accountability the next nurse management step is a known as a nurse manager. The next levels of positions are service directors and a DON or director of nursing. To be a DON the individual is required to join The American Organization of Nurse Executives.

Nurse Manager Training & Degrees

To start the journey of managing in the nursing field a person must first become a registered nurse (RN). In most cases this takes four years to complete and a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is earned. At this point the student must sit for and pass the national RN exam and the state board exam for the state in which they wish to practice. At this point the nurse must start working as an RN gaining experience in the field and also expressing to their manager that they are interested in nurse management.

 

After proving oneself as a capable and qualified RN, hopefully they can get a role as a change nurse and start climbing the management ladder as far as they wish. This process can be accelerated by taking extra certification and management classes while working. This will show your commitment as well as extend your breathe of knowledge in those areas.

 

Did You Know? There are 259 Baccalaureate of Nursing programs in the U.S. accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Nurse Manager Salary & Benefits

Salaries are going to vary not only on what the management title is, but also by the state in which the nurse is employed, the type of facility in which they work, amount of experience, and what, if any, extra credentials have been earned. Entering the job force as an RN will give you an average annual salary of $65,000. Most DONs earn on average of over $100,000 a year, so nurse managers can make anything in between. But no matter where you start, all nurses will get yearly salary increases, and the more committed you are to being a manager and gaining the expertise you need, the more earning potential you'll have.

 

There are many benefits in deciding to enter nurse management. Although some people look at this specialty as a vertical ladder, the fact is that nurse managers still have an extreme flexibility about which direction they choose to take their career path. Understandably not all nurses who enter management want to be a DON, but might be satisfied overseeing a specialty unit that they have a passion for. If you not only love being a nurse but like to lead others as well, nursing management could be a very rewarding career path at any level you choose.

 

Now that you have broad sense of the many different aspects of the nursing field and just how many great opportunities there are all across the nation, the next step is to prepare to get into the job market. On the next page, we'll discuss where to look for jobs and how to apply for them.

Nurse Manger Summary

• Enjoy unlimited job potential and job openings
• Must enjoy planning, directing, and leading others to success
• You'll be able to ensure that proper care is given at all times in your unit or facility
• Be at the top of the nursing field with earning potential at over $100,000 a year
• Choose how far in management you would like to go and stop when you are comfortable and content.

 

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