A nurse executive oversees health care departments through managing strategies, programs and budgets. They set, review and create policies to maintain internal standards and compliance with regulations. Read below to learn more about nurse executives and why they are so important.
Job Scope
Nurse executives plan, direct and evaluate all aspects of operations and patient care. They monitor quality of care, patient satisfaction levels and compliance with hospital policies and procedures. They act as liaison between office, nursing, medical and administration staff. They are ultimately accountable for nurses providing care in timely, efficient and appropriate manners. Related to this, they promote staff development, cross-training and continuing education. They also collaborate with medical managers and directors in every department. Nursing executives identify and solve process or personnel problems. They must maintain an in-depth knowledge of current and upcoming industry trends and regulatory developments.
Job Skills
When applying for positions, nurse executives must have demonstrable management experience with progressive responsibilities. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum qualification but most employers expect a master’s degree in nursing or related field. Nurse executives must have the ability to maintain an operational vision that positively influences leadership, problem-solving, conflict resolution and the delivery of nursing care. They must have knowledge of management practices for continuous quality improvement within a health care industry framework. Nurse executives should have financial, human resources and organizational skills.
Job Challenges
Nurse executives deal with complex challenges regarding vague regulations, state-of-the-art technology and the delivery of quality care. In addition to this, there are health care competitors, health care consumer demands and employee’s interpersonal needs. Nurse executives must simultaneously assess the quality patient care while also ensuring that services are cost-efficient and cost-effective. They monitor and managing capital and operating budgets for designated departments while also developing measures to reduce overhead and budgetary waste. Their HR duties include the recruitment, training, disciplining and retention of all nursing staff. They must spearhead programs that promote organizational growth and enhance employee productivity.
Expected Degree
Almost all nurse executives obtain a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN). These programs teach nurse executives the skills needed to excel in their positions. Courses cover advanced nursing roles, which explores the various skills needed to enhance care, and statistical concepts, which train nurse executives regarding measurement methods and the relationships between health care operational variables. Classes on evidence-based practices examine the theories and strategies required to promote and implement changes. Organizational behavior and structure courses explore the crossroads of nursing, behavioral and management sciences.
Recommended Certification
Most nurse executives obtain voluntary certification through organizations like the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which offers a Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC). Certification programs like these generally require that candidates have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and maintain an active RN license within their state. They typically must have been employed as a manager, director or administrator for three to five years. These certification programs require the annual completion of continual education credits.
Related Resource: Health Insurance Specialist
Those who wish to learn more about nurse executives should explore the website of the American Organization of Nurse Executives.
