What does a Nurse Manager do?
Published 4 min read
A nurse manager is a registered nurse who coordinates and supervises the nursing staff in a hospital, clinic, or other healthcare facility. They may also be responsible for budgeting, quality assurance, and patient satisfaction.
Nurse Manager job duties include:
- Direct and coordinate nursing care for patients in a hospital, nursing home, clinic, physician’s office, or other health care facility
- May direct and supervise licensed practical nurses (LPNs), nurse aides, and other non-licensed medical personnel
- Develop policies, procedures, and work schedules, and regulate the number of patients to be assigned to each nurse
- Record patients’ medical histories and symptoms
- Observe patients and chart their vital signs
- Operate medical equipment
- Administer medications and treatments prescribed by physicians or authorized by state nurse practice acts
- Counsel patients and family members on health maintenance and disease prevention
- Teach patients and their families how to manage their illnesses or injuries
Nurse Manager Job Requirements
A nurse manager is a registered nurse who has completed a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing and has at least two years of experience working in a hospital or other healthcare setting. Some states require nurse managers to be certified by the American Nurses Association.
Nurse Manager Skills
- Communication
- Leadership
- Management
- Organizational
- Prioritization
- Problem-solving
- Scheduling
- Supervising
- Teaching
- Time management
- Writing
Related: Top Nurse Manager Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Nurse Manager
There are many reasons why someone might want to become a nurse manager. Maybe they have a passion for nursing and want to help others in their career. Maybe they want to be able to make a difference in the lives of those they work with. Or, maybe they see it as a way to advance their own career. Whatever the reason, there are a few things that anyone interested in becoming a nurse manager should keep in mind.
First, it is important to get a degree in nursing. This will give you the foundation you need to be successful in any role within the nursing field. Once you have your degree, you will need to gain experience working as a nurse. This can be done through working in various hospitals or clinics. The more experience you have, the better prepared you will be to take on a managerial role.
In addition to experience, it is also important to develop strong leadership skills. This means being able to motivate and inspire those around you. It also means being able to effectively communicate with both your team and those you are caring for. If you can show that you have these qualities, you will be more likely to be successful as a nurse manager.
Finally, it is important to remember that being a nurse manager is not all about work. It is also important to have a life outside of work. This means taking time for yourself and your family. It also means taking care of your own health so that you can be at your best when caring for others. If you can balance all of these aspects of your life, you will be well on your way to being a successful nurse manager.
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