Everything You Need to Know About Becoming A Nurse Manager

If you’re a natural-born leader who loves to help people, then a career as a nurse manager could be the perfect path for you. Managing a team of nurses is different from being a manager in an office, hospitality, or retail setting. It offers tons of fulfillment as you contribute to the health and wellbeing of patients and nursing staff on a daily basis.

Whether you’re a nurse who wants to advance their career, or are new to the healthcare industry, here is everything you need to know about becoming a nurse manager.

What is a nurse manager?

A nurse manager is an intermediary between a team of nurses and upper management. They act as a representative for the nurses, relaying any concerns they may have to the decision-makers, while also supervising their daily duties. The nurse manager is there to ensure that nurses are adhering to health regulations and policies, and they even suggest changes where they see there could be an improvement.

In a nutshell, nurse managers are there to ensure nurses have everything they need to provide optimal patient care.

What education is required to be a nurse manager?

To become a nurse manager, you must first become an RN. Once you have your registered nursing license, you can begin working as an RN and gain practical knowledge of the healthcare system that you will one day manage. After you are working as an RN, you will then need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Master of Science in Nursing. You can obtain either degree through HBU online nursing degrees. Doing your BSN online allows you the flexibility to start working in the field first and gaining job experience while you upgrade your skills.

Once you’ve got either your BSN or MSN, you will need further certification to be applicable for a nurse management position. There are two certification options from The American Organization of Nurse Executives, and these include:

– Certification in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)

– Certification as a Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)

What salary does a nurse manager make?

Most nurse managers work in a full-time role and make, on average, $85k per year. The salary will depend on the nurse manager’s place of employment and location within the country. Currently, California offers a wage of about 48% above the national average.

What duties will you have as a nurse manager?

As a nurse manager, you will have an extensive list of daily tasks on top of dealing with various emergencies and escalated situations each day. No two days are the same as a nurse manager, but here are some of the tasks you can expect:

  • Providing necessary training for nurses on your team
  • Overseeing the daily operations of the entire nursing department
  • Ensuring all policies and procedures are met by staff
  • Handling any escalating situations between patients, their families, and nurses
  • Recruiting nursing staff
  • Conducting performance evaluations
  • Managing all records and paperwork
  • Reporting on finances
  • And more!