Nursing Leadership: 8 Jobs to Consider

The chief nursing officer acts as the top nurse in a healthcare organization. They direct nursing activities at the highest levels, including implementing safety policies and creating long-term patient care goals. Chief nursing officers also coordinate with healthcare leaders to improve nursing care.

As nursing leaders, chief nursing officers oversee staffing needs and manage the hiring and budget process. They purchase equipment and oversee training needs.

One of the top positions in nursing, chief nursing officers typically bring many years of clinical experience and an RN license. They often hold a master’s degree in nursing or healthcare administration. Employers may also look for professional certifications like the nurse executive credential.

Healthcare administrators plan and oversee health services. Depending on their role, they manage units, departments, or facilities. For example, a healthcare administrator with a background in nursing might manage the nurses at a physician’s office.

As part of their leadership responsibilities, healthcare administrators monitor compliance with healthcare regulations. They also evaluate patient care and implement plans to improve patient outcomes. Healthcare administrators recruit nurses and oversee their training. They also create schedules, prepare budgets, and oversee the facility’s available services.

Many healthcare administrators hold a master’s degree in healthcare management. Nurses must possess an RN license and a background in clinical practice.

The director of nursing oversees a nursing unit and acts as its manager. They set long-term goals, assess performance, and create plans for the unit. Nursing directors also supervise teams of nurses and conduct evaluations.

As one of their primary leadership responsibilities, nursing directors set clinical procedures and manage the unit’s staffing needs. They monitor patient care and assign tasks to nurses. Nursing directors also connect their nurses with training opportunities.

A DNP is preferred for nurses pursuing director of nursing roles. These professionals should have a clinical background and hold a registered nursing license. Nursing directors also bring experience in managing nurses.

Clinical nurse managers coordinate nursing care, typically in a hospital setting. They create schedules for nurses, implement policies to improve patient outcomes and coordinate with other clinical managers. As part of their leadership responsibilities, clinical nurse managers resolve disputes between nurses and manage issues in the workplace.

Careers as clinical nurse managers typically require a bachelor’s degree and an RN license. These nurses also bring extensive experience in clinical nursing. Many hospitals prefer to hire nurses with a master’s degree or management experience.

The director of patient care services oversees patient outcomes and the quality of patient care in a hospital. They evaluate patient care across departments to recommend improvements. Patient care directors also run programs to highlight patient care and quality healthcare delivery. In addition, they meet with department directors to discuss the patient experience.

Patient care directors hold at least a bachelor’s degree and multiple years of experience. Many also hold a master’s degree in nursing or healthcare administration. They can also pursue certification in healthcare management.

Nursing coordinators, also known as nurse care coordinators, create treatment plans for patients and connect patients with their medical team. These nurses meet with patients to discuss treatment plans and identify possible treatments. They also conduct rounds, track health changes, and monitor patient outcomes.

Common healthcare settings for nursing coordinators include:

Careers in nursing coordination require exceptional communication and administrative skills. They typically work with many patients, nurses, and doctors on a regular basis. Nursing coordinators typically hold a bachelor’s degree and an RN license.

Nursing shift supervisors act as leaders within healthcare organizations. As leaders, they oversee a team of nurses and nursing assistants. Nursing shift supervisors create schedules to make sure patient needs are met. They also arrange for backup care and provide clinical care when necessary.

These leaders act as the primary contact point for other healthcare professionals. Their responsibilities include maintaining records, reviewing work, and setting practice standards. Nursing shift supervisors work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. Most nursing supervisors hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing, though some employers may prefer nursing supervisors with a master’s degree.

Nurse educators train nurses in patient care procedures, healthcare delivery, and safety procedures. They demonstrate techniques in the classroom and in clinical units. While some nurse educators work in postsecondary nursing programs, they also work at hospitals. Some nurse educators conduct research in addition to teaching.

Typically, nurse educators need a master’s degree in nursing, an RN license, and clinical experience. Specialized nurse education MSN programs typically take two years, though some nursing schools offer accelerated one-year programs. During an MSN program, nurse educators gain experience teaching along with administrative training.