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The national nursing shortage is a serious issue that demands action. More than one-fifth of the nurses responding to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey reported that they were planning on retiring in the next five years. Perhaps more alarming is the shortage’s current impact on the health care industry. A March 2022 survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 28% of nursing facilities posted at least one staffing shortage during the previous week. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects there will be roughly 203,200 job openings for registered nurses and about 112,700 job openings for nurse practitioners each year between 2021 and 2031. Many of these openings will be for management positions. Nurses who aspire to become nurse managers are coming into the field at an ideal time. To plan their careers, they should consider the typical nurse manager job description and the essential skills for the job. Nurse Manager Job DescriptionNurse managers supervise nursing staff in a hospital or clinical settings. They oversee patient care, make management and budgetary decisions, set work schedules, coordinate meetings, and make personnel decisions. They also recruit and train nurses and other health care professionals and maintain a facility’s records. Additionally, nurse managers work with staff to apply emerging nursing theories to care delivery. They also implement state and federal regulatory guidelines for patient safety and educate staff about any changes in the laws and how they impact care delivery. Nurse managers work in a number of clinical settings, such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, and psychiatric institutions. They are responsible for ensuring every aspect of a facility’s nursing program runs as efficiently as possible, from patient interactions to departmental operations. Their efforts can help close care delivery gaps due to nursing shortages and improve patient outcomes. Skills of a Successful Nurse ManagerSuccessful nurse managers apply a holistic approach to health care and care delivery. The role requires skills in areas beyond clinical care. Nurse managers should be adept at coordinating resources and personnel and meeting goals and objectives. They must be effective communicators who can balance the needs of their nursing staff and their facilities’ administrators. They must also have foundational business and budgeting skills to handle the administrative side of the role effectively. In addition to these core competencies, the following characteristics are common among successful nurse managers:
Nurse Manager Salary and Job GrowthAs of August 2022, the median annual salary for nurse managers was about $90,000, according to PayScale, with the top 10% making roughly $122,000 per year. Several factors can affect a nurse manager’s salary, such as their education level, experience, and location. The BLS includes nurse managers in the medical and health services category, a group that it predicts will experience 28% job growth between 2021 and 2031, which is significantly higher than the 8% projected job growth overall. The Future of Nurse ManagersAs the current nursing workforce ages and retires, the anticipated shortage of nurses will create opportunities for newly minted nurse managers. Their work can be vital in numerous ways. Significantly, effective leaders can improve morale in a health care facility, which can mitigate the potential for nurse burnout. Effective nurse leaders also can help facilities adapt to the ever-evolving care delivery landscape. Cohesive relationships among staff members and better communication with staff can ease the implementation of new care delivery strategies and regulatory changes. Lead Others in an Important Nursing RoleEffective nurse managers are key to alleviating the effects of the nursing shortage. Duquesne University’s online post-master’s nursing certificates teach registered nurses the skills they need to advance in their careers and take on leadership roles. Students can choose from specializations such as Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Education and Faculty Role, or they can focus on management skills in a dedicated Executive Nurse Leadership and Health Care Management Post-Master’s Certificate program. Learn how we can help you cultivate the leadership skills to make a difference. Recommended ReadingHow Nurse Leaders Can Address Discrimination in Nursing The Importance of Diversity in Nursing Trends in Nursing Education: What to Expect for the Future Sources:Healthline, “Understanding the American Nursing Shortage” Indeed, Nurse Manager Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications Johnson & Johnson, Nurse Manager Kaiser Family Foundation, “Nursing Facility Staffing Shortages During the COVID-19 Pandemic” National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “The 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey” Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses, “The Importance of Leadership in Nursing” Payscale, Average Nursing Manager Salary U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses What are the traits characteristics that make this nurse manager most effective?Leadership, communication and collaboration, organization and emotional intelligence rank as the top five qualities of a great nurse manager, says Adam Kless, vice president of clinical operations at Avant Healthcare Professionals.
What is the most important quality of a nurse leader?9 Essential Qualities of Nurse Leadership. Emotional Intelligence. In clinical settings, nurse leaders work closely with trainees to help them develop emotional intelligence. ... . Integrity. ... . Critical Thinking. ... . Dedication to Excellence. ... . Communication Skills. ... . Professional Socialization. ... . Respect. ... . Mentorship.. What characteristics create an effective nurse manager quizlet?An effective leader should set the objectives and guide the staff in achieving the objectives. The nurse should be consistent in managing conflicts and be able to delegate work appropriately.. Assess patient problems.. Identify patient diagnosis.. Develop a plan of care.. Implement nursing intervention.. What are the characteristics of nurse manager?5 Qualities to Look for in Great Nurse Managers. Leadership. Nurses are educators, role models, and advocates; they naturally make great leaders. ... . Communication and Collaboration. Proper communication goes hand-in-hand with strong leadership skills. ... . Organization. ... . Clinical Expertise. ... . Emotional Intelligence.. |