Chief Nurse

A chief nurse serves as the head of the nursing staff across different hospital departments. To
become one, you will need to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing. Securing a
Master's degree is even better. In addition to a nurse's skill, most employers take into consideration
her clinical experience, specifically the number of years and the different departments in which she
has served.

Nursing Duties

As a chief nurse, you are responsible for maintaining clinical and patient-care standards. To do this, chief
nurses work closely with senior health management professionals, offering advice on the best ways to improve
facility care. You are also responsible for coordinating the implementation of new nursing strategies. You must
have extensive knowledge of the health care practices within the hospital, particularly the nursing procedures,
staff rules and patient policies. A chief nurse may develop and manage care programs for patients while
planning new patient services. They may conduct assessments and evaluations to gauge the efficiency of the
different departments within the hospital.

Administrative Tasks

A chief nurse may be involved with clinic recruitment. This includes interviewing potential employees,

supervising their training and making decisions on retention. You may establish new policies and guidelines
for nursing operations and patients care. A chief nurse may be included in the management and disbursement
of the nursing budget as well as the different nursing benefits. In addition, the chief nurse may sometimes be
involved in disciplinary decisions.

Liaison With Physicians

A chief nurse serves as the closest link between physicians and nurses. She ensures that RNs, LPNs and LVNs

offer the best possible support to physicians in their respective departments. To achieve this, you may need to
revise hospital policies or recruit new nurses. A chief nurse keeps track of emerging technologies, ensuring the
hospital readily adapts to positive changes in the health care environment.

Leadership Role in the Workplace

As part of your duties as a chief nurse, you will be expected to maintain the high standards all other nurses
must follow. A chief nurse also works toward creating the best working environment for nurses by introducing
measures aimed at fostering collaboration. Your duties may extend beyond the workplace to serving as a
spokesperson or trainer at conferences and seminars. A chief nurse reviews the certifications of nurses to
ensure they are in compliance with the workplace directives. Strong emotional stability, detail orientation and
organizational skills are required for the job. You must be compassionate when dealing with patients and
nurses, but still capable of taking the right corrective actions when needed.

https://work.chron.com/function-responsibilities-chief-nurse-27455.html
Chief Nursing Officer Job Description

Registered nurses who possess master’s degrees along with several years experience in nurse
management positions may be qualified to hold the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) position in
hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other large medical facilities. Although in some institutions
the hierarchy within nursing leadership may include additional higher-level administrative
positions, the Chief Nursing Officer title is very often synonymous with other executive
leadership titles such as Chief Nurse Executive or Vice-President of Nursing. As the highest
ranking nurse administrative position, CNOs work under the direct supervision of the Chief
Operating Officer and the general supervision of the Chief Executive Officer of a healthcare
organization, while managers and directors report to the CNO.
A proactive mindset and the highest level of competency in all aspects of nursing are among the
characteristics a CNO is expected to exhibit, as the ability to respond swiftly, rationally, and
decisively to emergencies or other complex situations that might arise within a medical facility is
vital to the job. A committment to exceeding the expectations of patients, their families, and
facility administrators, as well as a highly developed sense of compassion and dependability are
also fundamental to competently filling the role of Chief Nursing Officer. Naturally, CNOs need
to possess an aptitude for business and accounting concepts in order to report on and maintain
budgetary compliance. With operational costs rising, many hospitals require the expertise of a
CNO compentent in the area of cost reduction.
In an effort to ensure that patients consistently receive high-quality healthcare while the
institution operates efficiently and remains profitable, the Chief Nursing Officer is responsible
for the following:

 Informing all nurses of any new procedure or policy implementations introduced by the
healthcare facility’s administration
 Interviewing, hiring, and training nurses and other non-licensed personnel
 Ensuring that work standards, legal procedures and ethical praxis regarding nursing practices are
adhered to at all times
 Making recommendations to the CEO concerning procedure or policy modifications when
necessary
 Maintaining open channels of communication among nurses and nursing managers in order to
enhance operational methods and provide optimal patient care within a medical facility
 Creation and submission of a variety of reports to higher administration recapitulating problems,
goals and any pertinent developments influencing the operation of the facility
 Remaining up-to-date with the latest information about products, equipment, and services
relevant to the field of nursing and healthcare
 Monitoring job performance of shift nurses, nursing managers, and directors in order to regularly
evaluate each nurse and suggest bonuses, promotions, or terminations
 Creating schedules, implementing staff rotations, and enacting rescheduling needs that address
the current demands of the medical facility
 Supervising regular education-oriented meetings in which state and federal guideline changes are
discussed with nursing staff in addition to any recent developments in the medical field that
relates to nursing
 Assisting facility administration with annual budget reports by communicating the necessity for
new equipment, additional personnel, or other items that directly improve the operation of the
facility
 Maintaining effective infection control procedural protocol that ensures patients and staff are not
being exposed to disease-causing organisms
 Overseeing the utilization of in-service educational programs so that the nursing staff remains
cognizant of the latest techniques and medical information
 Implementing disciplinary procedures when necessary
 Possessing a deep awareness of the health care needs and difficulties encountered when treating a
diversity of individuals possessing different ethnic, social, and cultural backgrounds
Educational Requirements
In addition to a BSN, CNOs most often possess graduate degrees, as this is typically a
qualification necessary for obtaining employment in higher-level leadership positions.
Employers searching for qualified nurses to fill CNO positions seek candidates who have had at
least five years experience in a nurse leadership role. While working in a management position,
some nurses may choose to pursue degrees that enhance their knowledge of administrative
practices, management, accounting, budgetary analysis, information technology, employee
motivational techniques, and successful conflict resolution procedures. The graduate degrees that
are commonly held by Chief Nursing Officers include:

 MS Nursing – Management and Organizational Leadership

 MS in Nursing: Leadership in Health Care Systems
 Master of Science in Nursing Administration

Joint programs that combine the Master of Science in Nursing with a Master of Business
Administration, or Master of Health Administration are also available:

 MS in Nursing/MBA/Health Care Management

 MBA and MS in Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems (Bridge)
 MS in Nursing/Master of Health Administration

Holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, as well as an active RN license, is the
standard requirement for admission to MSN and MBA programs. Admission may also require
letters of reference and an entrance essay. An RN’s clinical experience is also weighed heavily
when applying to a master’s program.

Certification
Certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American
Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), or the American College of Healthcare Executives
provides Chief Nursing Officers with a number of options for professional designation:
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

o Nurse Executive (NE-BC)

o Nurse Executive, Advanced (NEA-BC)

The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE)

o Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)

o Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)

The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)

o Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE)

Job Outlook and Salary Information

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for healthcare leadership
positions, including Chief Nursing Officer positions, is expected to increase by 22 percent in the
current decade ending 2018.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010, showed the
median salary among all healthcare executives and administrators to be $84,270, while the
median among the 90th percentile was $144,880. The average salary among healthcare executives
was $96,030, while top earners in the 90th percentile earned $147,890 on average.
The Bureau’s 2010 report went on to show the average salary for the industry classifications that
employed the most healthcare executives:

 General Medical and Surgical Hospitals – $102,040

 Offices of Physicians – $93,770
 Outpatient Care Centers – $92,860
 Home Health Care Services – $85,860
 Nursing Care Facilities – $80,750