Nurse Executive

What Is the Role of a Nurse Executive?

The nurse executive is critical to medical treatment because they assist their healthcare organization in carrying out its objective. A nurse executive frequently holds the most senior nursing job in their organization, and may even be referred to as the Director of Nursing. If you want to be an effective nurse executive, RNs must communicate clearly and effectively with their nursing team in order to assist in providing the best patient care possible. Not only do nurse executives take on social responsibility for enacting change that benefits patients, families, and communities as a whole, but they also uphold moral and ethical standards in the process. Nurse executives are highly valued members of the healthcare management team.

What Is the Path to Becoming a Nurse Executive?

To be a successful nurse executive, a combination of advanced nursing expertise and sharp business skills is essential. Typically, this post requires a master’s level nursing degree or possibly a business degree, in addition to a large amount of nursing experience. Nurses who are qualified for this high-level post must possess a passion for leadership, superior interpersonal and communication skills, and an understanding for the business side of healthcare.

What Education Do Nurse Executives Need?

To become a registered professional nurse executive, one must first fulfill the following steps:

To begin, one must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

It is strongly advised that you double major in business or take business classes, as this role requires a variety of skills and managerial abilities.

After that, the National Council Licensure Examination must be passed (NCLEX-RN)

After passing the boards, one must work as a registered nurse, gaining experience in the field to assist in identifying and resolving challenges encountered while on the job.

After that, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Master of Healthcare or Business Administration (MHA/MBA) degree is required. The curriculum is typically completed in two years. See our list of MSN programs in Executive Nurse Leadership.

It is recommended that you have experience working in an executive job in healthcare prior to applying for certification, such as a nurse manager, supervisor, director, or assistant director.

The next stage is to obtain accreditation, such as the American Organization of Nurse Executives’ Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) credential.

Is it necessary to obtain any certifications or credentials?

A nurse executive must possess advanced certification because he or she is responsible for managing and supervising a whole nursing team in a healthcare setting. While certain degree programs may prepare students for various certification examinations concurrently, it is critical to comply with all accrediting standards due to a few exclusions. For example, if no master’s degree is pursued, 30 hours of continuing education credits will be required.

Given the importance of credentials when applying for nurse executive positions, the more qualifications one possesses, the bigger the employment chances. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) administers two examinations: the Nurse Executive and the Nurse Executive-Advanced. Along with the ANCC, the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) offers certifications such as Certified in Executive Nursing Practice also referred as (CENP) and Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) (CNML). Continue reading to learn more about nurse executive certificates.

What Types of Jobs Do Nurse Executives Have?

Nurse executives are frequently employed in the following positions:

  • Hospitals
  • Organizations involved in healthcare
  • Agencies providing home health care
  • Homes for the elderly
  • Schools of nursing
  • Consultancies

What Is the Role of a Nurse Executive?

A professional nurse executive must demonstrate leadership abilities in order to effectively communicate ideas and mentor their team. Due to the fast-paced nature of this job and the fact that it is often behind-the-scenes, one must be comfortable in assuming a supervisory role. Nurse executives foster creativity among their nursing teams, model fiscal responsibility, give continuing education opportunities, and encourage staff membership in national nursing organizations. Nurse executives’ duties have evolved from a narrow focus on nursing services to a broader view of patient care within a healthcare system.

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Nurse Executive?

Among the responsibilities assigned to nurse executives are the following:

  • Creating and directing patient care
  • Budgeting for healthcare facilities
  • Communicating various needs effectively
  • Financial accountability within healthcare institutions
  • Developing health and nursing care policy
  • Supervising the planning and development of healthcare facility policies and procedures
  • Collaboration with diverse health care providers
  • Advocating on behalf of patients and employees
  • Creating networks of high-quality health care and wellness

Salary and Employment Opportunities for Nurse Executives

With healthcare constantly expanding and changing, nurse executives must raise awareness and continually seek new ways to provide services not just now, but for the foreseeable future as well. With this in mind, the responsibilities of a professional nurse executive will continue to expand as these nurses take on the role of implementing change inside healthcare organizations. Nurse executives must be adaptable yet imaginative in order to genuinely excel in their jobs. With increased demand for advanced nursing positions, total employment for this sort of occupation remains high.

Certified nurse executives can earn an annual salary of up to $100,000. Salary is determined by a variety of criteria, including location, employer, education level, and experience.