how to become a chief nursing officer

The Current State of Nursing

Medical facilities ranging from clinics to hospitals to nursing homes depend on nurses who specialize in every area of healthcare, including urgent care, psychiatry, hospice, labor and delivery, geriatrics, and pediatrics. However, the American Association of Colleges of Nurses projects a nursing shortage in coming years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects that the U.S. will need more than 200,000 additional nurses each year through 2026. Several factors are contributing to this shortfall.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that between 2012 and 2050 the number of Americans aged 65 and older will nearly double. This rapidly growing segment of the population will greatly intensify the demands on the healthcare system. At the same time, large numbers of nurses are reaching retirement age, with more than 50 percent of the nurse workforce 50 years of age and older, according to a 2018 survey.

In addition to the demand for nurses, the effectiveness of healthcare organizations depends on skilled management. Chief nursing officers (CNOs) fill important leadership roles when it comes to ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of nursing departments. As strategic leaders overseeing operations, they can have a significant impact on patient outcomes and experiences. Their work positions them beside other C-suite leaders, making the CNO a vital link between nursing departments and executive teams in medical organizations.

Reaching high-level leadership positions in healthcare requires the right experience and education. Aspiring CNOs can propel their careers forward by earning a Master of Science in Nursing to cultivate the expertise needed to lead in the field.

What Is a Chief Nursing Officer?

Nurses often specialize, allowing them to offer expert care to patients with respiratory diseases, substance abuse issues, cardiovascular conditions, and other health concerns. In each of these areas, CNOs, who may not directly provide patient care, work behind the scenes coordinating the day-to-day operations that empower nurses to deliver high-quality care.

Chief nursing officers are sometimes called chief nurse executives, vice presidents of nursing, or head nurses. Whatever their title, these professionals are responsible for making sure nursing departments of medical facilities run smoothly.

A chief nursing officer heads a nursing department as the most senior member. As such, CNOs handle issues that greatly affect the quality of nursing care and make key decisions regarding:

  • Budgets
  • Managing staff
  • Complying with regulations

While overseeing a nursing staff, chief nursing officers report to chief executive officers (CEOs), acting as representatives of the nursing departments they head. This allows for communication and representation at the highest level of the organization about patients’ needs and how nursing departments can meet those needs.

CNOs also provide leadership to their departments, providing direction regarding policies and practices to nurses and nurse managers. Chief nursing officers set the tone that shapes their staff’s work environment, which can affect turnover rates and job satisfaction. Like any effective leader, they find ways to listen to the ideas and opinions of their staff to help improve how their departments are run.

Administratively, chief nursing officers help manage the business aspects of medical facilities. This involves organizing medical services and sometimes setting prices. In a nursing capacity, these leaders monitor for best practices and coordinate patient care. They also ensure nurses and nurse managers carry out a facility’s policies consistently.

The overall duty and goal of chief nursing officers is to deliver excellent patient care. They accomplish this by:

  • Collaborating with other hospital leaders to ensure strong communication between the administrative and medical sides of a healthcare facility
  • Seeking out opportunities to offer educational and orientation programs to their staff
  • Looking for ways to improve nursing procedures

Medical facilities hold chief nursing officers accountable for patient outcomes and the medical care the nurses in their departments deliver. They also expect chief nursing officers to be accountable for how their departments affect a facility’s bottom line.

Necessary Education and Training for Becoming a Chief Nursing Officer

Those wondering how to become a chief nursing officer should consider the required educational path.

Step One: Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

All chief nursing officers must be registered nurses (RNs). Most CNOs begin this process by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education In Nursing (ACEN).

BSN degree programs cover key topics such as anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. Courses also teach students about health assessment, emergency care, and public health, while building the critical thinking and communication skills core to succeeding as a nurse. Clinical rotations under the supervision of a registered nurse also help students gain hands-on experience with patient care. Students hoping to cultivate their competencies in leadership and finance may elect to minor in business administration.

Step Two: Get a Nursing License

After earning a BSN or an associate’s degree in nursing, aspiring nurses can become licensed registered nurses (RNs) by successfully passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam.

Other requirements for an RN license vary by state. For example, some states require background checks. RNs may also opt to get specialty licenses in areas such as gerontology or ambulatory care, among many others, to gain expertise and give themselves a competitive edge in the job market.

Step Three: Build On-the-Job Experience

After licensing, RNs must apply and hone their skills in the real world. By working in either clinical or medical environments such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, or nursing homes, RNs expand their knowledge and develop a deeper knowledge of how to care for patients and how nursing departments run. This work experience can prepare RNs to move into leadership roles later in their careers. Most medical facilities expect nursing leadership job candidates to have at least five years of experience as RNs.

Step Four: Earn a Master of Science in Nursing or a Master of Health Administration

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree can provide the deeper knowledge nursing leaders need to make critical decisions that shape nursing departments and patient care. Almost all CNO positions require an advanced degree.

MSN degrees often offer concentrations in nursing administration and leadership. The curricula are designed to cultivate knowledge in human resources, finance, healthcare systems, and governance, as well as deepen expertise in evidence-based nursing practices. MHA degrees focus exclusively on administrative management in healthcare, covering topics such as health informatics and managerial accounting.

To further prepare for leadership roles, some nurses earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice. However, not all C-suite medical positions require this level of education.

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