Nurses play a vital role in providing quality care to patients. They provide direct patient care, coordinate services provided by other health professionals, educate patients and their families about their illness and treatment options, and monitor and report changes in patient’s condition.
Nursing jobs are expected to increase by a large amount over the next decade – and hospital or nursing management could be a great next step for your career.
As the population ages, demand for nurses continues to rise. In addition, hospitals continue to invest in new technologies and equipment to improve patient outcomes – and this requires good managers to oversee things, and ensure that hospitals and establishments run as they should.
But is nursing or hospital management a good career path for you (see also ‘Is Medical/Nursing Services A Good Career Path?‘)?
We took a closer look to help you make a smart, informed decision.
What Is Hospital Or Nursing Management?
Hospital or nursing management involves managing the day-to-day operations of a healthcare facility. This includes ensuring that everything runs smoothly, from staffing levels to keeping up with regulatory requirements.
It also means making sure that staff have the right training and resources to do their job well.
The responsibilities of a manager can vary depending on what type of establishment he or she works at. For example, a manager might work in an outpatient clinic, a hospital ward, or even a hospice.
Managers may also be responsible for overseeing the activities of different departments within a hospital or nursing home.
The salary of a hospital or nursing management position depends on where you live and how much experience you have. However, it’s not uncommon for managers to earn between $50k and $100k per year.
Some of the main duties of a hospital or nurse manager include:
- Overseeing the daily operations of a hospital or nursing home
- Ensuring that all staff members are trained properly
- Making sure that staff members follow regulations and procedures
- Monitoring the performance of staff members
- Maintaining a positive working environment
How Can I Become A Nurse Manager?
If you want to become a nurse manager, there are several ways you can go about doing so. You can start out as a registered nurse (RN) first, then move into management after gaining
some experience. Or, you can apply directly to management positions.
If you’re interested in becoming a nurse manager, here are some tips to consider:
Get Experience As An RN First
Before applying to management positions, you’ll need to gain some experience as an RN first. This means getting involved in clinical work and taking part in patient care (see also ‘What Is Basic Care And Comfort In Nursing?‘). It’s not enough just to read books about management; you should actually put what you learn into practice.
In the majority of cases, the first step on the ladder is to become a qualified nurse – and this is a challenging achievement in itself. If you want to become a nurse, then you’ll need to complete your undergraduate studies first.
While some schools offer specialized courses in nursing management, most students will study general nursing before moving on to more specific areas such as midwifery or pediatrics.
Once you’re done with your course, you’ll need to apply for a registered nurse (RN) license. After passing the licensing exam, you’ll receive a diploma called a Registered Nurse License (RNL).
The RNL allows you to practice independently, but you’ll still need to pass additional exams to gain full registration (see also our article on drug testing). Once you’ve completed all of this, you’ll be ready to move on to the next stage of your career.
Find Out What Jobs Are Available
When looking for a job in management, it’s best to know exactly what kind of role you’d like to pursue. For example, if you want to work in a particular area, such as intensive care, then make sure you research the jobs in those fields.
Apply Directly To Managers
While you may think that you need to be an experienced RN to become a nurse manager or head of a department, this isn’t necessarily true. Many managers started out as relatively new RNs, and many departments don’t require any previous experience at all.
Study Nursing Management Courses
To advance from a regular RN to a nursing or hospital manager, you will need to demonstrate your skills by undertaking further qualifications.
These include becoming a Certified Healthcare Executive (CHE), Certified Healthcare Manager (CHM), Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS), Certified Medical Director (CMD), Certified Quality Improvement Specialist (CQIS), Certified Professional Development Coordinator (CPDC), or Certified Senior Advisor (CSA).
There are various types of courses available to help you develop the skills needed to become a nurse manager. Some of these include:
- Certificate IV in Nursing Practice
- Diploma of Nursing Practice
- Graduate Diploma of Nursing Practice (GNDP)
- Master of Nursing Practice (MNPs)
Take Competency Assessments
After completing your training, you’ll need to take a series of competency assessments. There are two main kinds of assessment:
- Written examinations
- Practical assessments
Gain Certification
Once you’ve passed the required assessments, you’ll need to complete a certification process. This involves demonstrating that you have the right skills and knowledge to do the job.
What Qualities Does A Nursing Or Hospital Manager Need?
A good nurse manager needs to possess certain qualities to be able to succeed. They should be able to communicate effectively, they must be organized, and they must also be flexible. As well as being able to manage people, they must also be able to deal with difficult situations.
Be Able To Communicate Effectively
As a nurse manager, you’ll need to be able to communicate clearly with patients and staff. You’ll need to be able to explain procedures and answer questions. If you can’t communicate properly, you won’t be able to lead others.
Organized And Flexible
Being a nurse manager means having to juggle lots of different things at once. It requires you to be organized so that you can keep track of everything going on. At the same time, you need to be flexible enough to adapt to changes quickly.
Dealing With Difficult Situations
Being a nurse manager means dealing with difficult situations. You’ll often find yourself in charge when something goes wrong. In order to cope with such situations, you’ll need to remain calm and collected.
Be Able To Manage Staff
You’ll need to be able to manage staff if you want them to work for you. You’ll need to ensure that everyone works together to achieve common goals. You’ll also need to make sure that all members of staff feel valued and respected.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a nurse manager isn’t easy and takes a great deal of skill, experience, and talent – as well as a genuine interest in patient care, and a desire to improve all elements of the patient experience while providing a great workplace for staff.
It can, however, offer an excellent career path for those who have the right skills and experience, and has the potential to be incredibly rewarding.