Nurse Administrator Description

A nurse administrator is the most senior nurse in a hospital, overseeing the care delivery for patients on all nursing units. Also known as a chief nursing officer or chief nurse executive, a nurse administrator fills an increasingly important role as health care systems evolve.

History

• Twenty years ago, the director of nursing (DON) was the most senior nurse in a hospital, responsible solely for nursing care. As hospital leaders gained a better appreciation of the role nurses play in patient outcomes, the DON took on a broader responsibility for all aspects of patient care and assumed the title of nurse administrator.

Functions

• A nurse administrator establishes effective patient care delivery systems, ensures continuous quality improvement in patient care, and represents nursing as a member of the senior leadership team when decisions are made.

Hierarchy

• The nurse administrator directly supervises nurse managers or directors for individual nursing units. She typically reports to the chief executive officer (CEO) of the hospital.

Skills

• A nurse administrator has a sound clinical knowledge base, solid fiscal management skills, and the ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships across the organization

Qualifications

• A nurse administrator is a registered nurse (RN), and many hospitals require an advanced degree in nursing (MSN) or business (MBA).