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What does a Chief Nursing Officer do?

K.C. Bruning
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Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 21,041
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A chief nursing officer is a supervising administrator in a medical facility, usually a hospital or clinic. The role requires oversight of all nursing personnel and activities in the facility. This includes daily and long-term resource management, observation, reporting, and planning in order to ensure the well-being of both patients and nursing staff. It is a diverse leadership role that requires deep understanding of the nursing profession, administration, management, and the specific characteristics of the medical facility.

Typically, chief nursing officers will have several duties that require an understanding of the medical facility where they work and the nursing industry in general. This includes keeping updated on facility regulations, laws, and new developments. Chief nursing officers must also be knowledgeable about the operations in their specific facility and how they relate to the nursing corps. An individual in this role will usually need to know individuals in multiple departments in the facility in order to get a proper grasp of current and developing issues.

One of the most important duties of a chief nursing officer is to ensure that the nursing element of a facility is running according to applicable medical laws and on-site regulations. This includes applying risk management techniques such as reviewing incident reports, maintaining licensure, and creating guidelines for managing various issues. These techniques are important for preventing the occurrence or recurrence of problems in the future.

A person working as chief nursing officer will work to consolidate and communicate key information with nursing staff. This can include updates, training, and individual consultation with staff members. An individual in this position will also stay in constant contact with upper management and provide a line of communication between facility executives and the nursing staff. The position also often requires supervisory oversight of transcription and medical records.

Chief nursing officers can be hired externally or from within an organization. Most individuals in this position have had management duties on a lower level in the same field. A nurse can become an assistant or supervisory nurse manager with just a few years of experience. An individual in this role will usually manage several aspects of operation on a departmental level. As regards promotion, the typical next step up is to nursing manager, in which responsibility expands to cover an entire department. This role will cover many of the same issues as a chief nursing officer.

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K.C. Bruning
By K.C. Bruning
Kendahl Cruver Bruning, a versatile writer and editor, creates engaging content for a wide range of publications and platforms, including Practical Adult Insights. With a degree in English, she crafts compelling blog posts, web copy, resumes, and articles that resonate with readers. Bruning also showcases her passion for writing and learning through her own review site and podcast, offering unique perspectives on various topics.
Discussion Comments
By Ocelot60 — On Jan 22, 2015

@rundocuri- This is true in some facilities, but in others, the chief nursing officer appoints a person to serve as a liaison for patients and staff. Any member of a nursing staff can direct a patient to the proper person to address any concerns.

By Rundocuri — On Jan 21, 2015

The chief nursing officer of a hospital is also a great resource for patients and their families when they have unanswered questions or concerns. Anyone needing this type of direction can ask to speak to this person who is usually in charge of the nursing staff.

K.C. Bruning
K.C. Bruning
Kendahl Cruver Bruning, a versatile writer and editor, creates engaging content for a wide range of publications and...
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