Rozina Aziz Are you a nurse who is thinking about moving up the ranks? Consider making a career change from the clinical field to management. The nurse administrator role is open to those with years of expertise in the field and the necessary credentials.
What Is a Nurse Administrator?
The term “nursing administration” refers to a wide range of nursing-related activities performed at the managerial level. Administrative duties for nurse administrators include conducting performance assessments, attending meetings, creating training and personnel policies, and more across many medical departments or hospitals.
The chief executive nurse of a hospital may delegate authority to a nurse administrator who reports directly to them. This is a management, office-based position in which the employee rarely interacts with patients.
What are the responsibilities of a Nurse Administrator?
Nurse administrators play an essential role on the executive team in managing the nursing workforce and dealing with personnel issues—contributing to creating policies and procedures, facilitating communication between nurses and other departments, and establishing financial plans.
They determine policy and direction for their respective departments and the organization. One of the main responsibilities of this position is to attend meetings and communicate with the nursing staff and other executives at the hospital.
What are the Roles and Duties of a Nurse Administrator?
In most cases, the duties of a nurse administrator will include the following:
- Nurse staffing, employment, and education
- Evaluating and assessing performance
- Financial planning, including budgeting and reporting
- Contributing to the selection of necessary machinery
- Making ensuring employees follow established guidelines and rules
- Communicating across different divisions, nurses, and hospital administration
- Creating a long-term vision for the institution
Where Do Nurse Administrators Work?
Nurse administrators are commonly seen in healthcare settings, albeit they do not directly interact with patients in most cases. It is common for nurse administrators who oversee many hospitals within a system to split their time between those hospitals. In larger healthcare institutions, such as long-term care facilities, it might be necessary to hire nurse administrators.
How to Become a Nurse Administrator?
Chief Nurse Administrators are many registered nurses, in light of the increasing scope of administrative responsibilities at the bedside in today’s healthcare systems, opting to specialize in nurse administration.
Usually, the most senior nurses working in a hospital, nurse administrators, are in charge of keeping an eye on the nurses under them to ensure they follow all the rules and provide the best possible care to patients.
Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide to becoming a nurse administrator, one of the top ten highest-paying subspecialties in the nursing industry.
Gain your RN license and take the required exams to start your career:
After completing an ADN program, candidates should apply for licensure with the nursing board in their residence (e.g., Indiana State Board of Nursing). After that, the graduate of an ADN program will be qualified to take the NCLEX-RN, administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Upon successful completion of the NCLEX, and submission of an application along with all applicable fees, graduates of an ADN program will be awarded their RN license allowing them to join the nursing field.
Get Your Nurse’s Degree Recognized Worldwide:
The minimum educational requirement for nurse administrators is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an approved nursing program. The principles of the nursing theory are combined with actual hands-on clinical experience to build critical knowledge of medical procedures.
This is true whether you enroll in a standard BSN program, a bridge RN-to-BSN program, or an accelerated second-degree program. Although a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree specializing in nursing administration is not currently necessary for nurse administrators, it is highly recommended for those interested in advancing their careers into more senior nursing positions.
Become an RN and Gain Experience in the Field:
After completing nursing school, you must take the NCLEX-RN exam and score high enough to get licensed in your state. Once you’ve completed the necessary steps to become a registered nurse, you should immediately begin gaining valuable work experience as a nursing staff member at a hospital, doctor’s office, community health center, mental health clinic, or any other healthcare facility that piques your interest.
If your skills and experience qualify you for it, take advantage of the opportunities to further your career in administrative roles such as assistant unit manager, nursing director, or assistant director. In order to be hired as a nurse administrator, most organizations require at least five years of nursing experience and one year of management experience.
Gain a nursing administration certification by applying:
The final requirement for becoming a nurse administrator is passing an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) examination. The Nurse Executive-Board Certified (NE-BC) certificate is sought after by most nurse administrators since it is evidence of their mastery of the fundamentals involved in overseeing the day-to-day operations of healthcare facilities.
A passing score on an expertise examination and meeting all eligibility requirements are necessary to earn the certificate. The ANCC computerized examination is 3.5 hours long and can be taken at your leisure within a 90-day time frame and in your chosen location. It’s important to keep up with your continuing education requirements as you work toward maintaining your certification, as it’s only good for five years.
The role of the nurse administrator, also known as the director of nursing, is to oversee all aspects of patient care provided by nurses, including but not limited to developing policies and procedures, hiring and supervising nurses, allocating funds, creating and updating standards of practice, coordinating with other departments, establishing work schedules, and conducting research.
When you follow the steps in this tutorial, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding career as a nurse administrator, where you’ll play a critical role in overseeing the delivery of top-notch patient care.
What Abilities are Necessary for a Nursing Administrator?
Successful nursing administration requires strong communication and team management skills. Individual nurses can better fulfill their duties and provide care that aids patients in the short and long term when they possess these abilities.
Effective nursing administration requires the following abilities:
Controlled care is provided by nursing staff:
Management skills encompass all facets of running a nursing staff, from keeping them motivated to keep them on schedule.
Leadership:
Leadership skills help a nursing team achieve its goals by inspiring and guiding its members.
Communicating with others:
Communication skills that allow you to interact well with patients, other healthcare professionals, and nurses.
Talking in front of an audience:
The assurance to speak in front of a healthcare audience.
Staffing:
The flexibility to bring in and let go of staff members is essential for forming cohesive healthcare teams.
The ability to read the financial markets:
Capacity to competently oversee monetary matters at a healthcare institution.
Instruction:
Capability to effectively inform the nursing staff of any policy changes that may impact day-to-day procedures.
Problem-solving:
Having the ability to aid both patients and nurses in coping with and resolving challenges.
Capabilities in technical areas:
The skillful application of all relevant electronic medical equipment, such as laptops, tablets, phones, and internet platforms. The ability to effectively lead a nursing team depends on these and other qualities possessed by nursing administrators. You will manage a team of nurses to ensure that all patients receive quality care and that healthcare services run smoothly and efficiently, whether you work in a hospital or a high school.
What is Nurse Administrator’s Salary & Employment?
Nurse administrators make a median annual compensation of about $81,033, with a range usually between $58,518 and $121,870. In addition to these criteria, geography, years of experience, and certifications can all impact the salary. The career outlook for nurse administrators is stable because of the increasing demand for RNs.
As a result, ambitious registered nurses interested in higher salaries and more responsibility can seek nurse administration jobs. The position of nurse administrator may also appeal to registered nurses who would prefer to work in an office setting and have more consistent hours.
FAQ’s
What qualifications do I need to become a Nurse Administrator?
To become a Nurse Administrator, you must have a degree in nursing or a related field from an accredited college or university. You must also have at least two years of experience in a healthcare setting.
Is there continuing education required for Nurse Administrators?
Nurse Administrators must maintain their licensure by completing the required continuing education credits each year.
Are there any certification options for Nurse Administrators?
Yes, several certification options are available for Nurse Administrators, including Certified Nursing Executive (CNE) and Certified in Healthcare Administration (CHCA).
What is a typical workday like for a Nurse Administrator?
A typical workday for a Nurse Administrator includes overseeing staff, planning the budget, developing new policies and procedures, and interacting with patients and families.
What is the job outlook for Nurse Administrators?
The job outlook for Nurse Administrators is expected to remain strong as the need for qualified healthcare professionals is projected to grow.
What is management and administration in nursing?
This program is geared toward preparing nurses for leadership positions in nursing management in many care facilities. The curriculum trains participants to become effective administrators using theory and empirical evidence.
Is being a nurse administrator worth it?
Obtaining a nurse administrator position might increase your earning potential and career opportunities. Hospital employees have the potential to advance to the director and higher positions and get above-average pay.
