Nursing Manager: Salary and Job Description
Written by:
University of Tulsa
• Sep 26, 2024
Nursing Manager: Salary and Job Description
The nursing vocation offers numerous ways to impact patients’ lives. Sometimes this comes through direct clinical intervention, but it can also be achieved through administration, coordination, and leadership. Indeed, managerial positions are important for ensuring that nursing teams work smoothly and effectively, promoting the very best patient outcomes.
Those who wish to combine their interest in patient care and administration should consider the role of nursing manager. With the right background and training , nurses can work their way up to this important position, earn a rewarding nursing manager salary, and make a long-lasting impact on the communities they serve.
What Is a Nursing Manager?
A nursing manager, or nurse manager, functions as a liaison between the nursing staff and administrative team. The nursing manager is responsible for ensuring that the highest standards of patient care are upheld, specifically by supervising and coordinating the nursing staff, ensuring adherence with hospital policies, and verifying that health and safety regulations are met.
Nursing Manager Duties and Responsibilities
Nursing managers may devote some of their practice to providing direct patient care, but the bulk of their work is administrative. Their exact duties can vary from one position to the next, but a typical job description includes the following:
- Recruiting and training members of the nursing staff
- Acting as a liaison between the nursing team and administrators
- Managing paperwork, including health records
- Assisting families who face especially tough or escalating situations
- Overseeing day-to-day nursing operations and budgets
Where Do Nursing Managers Work?
Nursing managers are employed in health facilities with large teams of nurses, such as hospitals. Sometimes, nursing managers work in large practices and clinics or in long-term care facilities.
How Is a Nursing Manager Different From Other Nurse Leadership Roles?
Nurses can pursue numerous leadership and administrative positions. This raises the question of how the nursing manager role compares with other nurse leadership roles.
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What’s the difference between a nurse leader vs. nurse manager ? In brief, a nurse leader creates nursing policies and procedures, while a nurses manager focuses on executing those policies.
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Another key position is the unit manager in nursing . A unit manager’s role is very similar to that of the nursing manager but may be more narrowly applied to a particular nursing unit, such as the pediatric unit or the oncology unit.
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Still another comparison point is the nurse case manager , who works closely with patients to help develop long-term care strategies.
How to Become a Nursing Manager
To qualify for this position and secure a competitive nursing manager salary, developing the necessary skills through a combination of experience and training is important.
Step 1: Become a Registered Nurse
The first step is to become a registered nurse (RN). This typically involves completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, and then sitting for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), which the state nursing board administers.
Step 2: Seek Experience
Before assuming a managerial role, gaining an understanding of day-to-day nursing responsibilities is crucial. This usually means working as an RN for three to five years, ideally in a range of different divisions or clinical settings.
Step 3: Gain Advanced Training
While some nurse management roles only require a BSN, many others will ask for a more advanced degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can provide leadership skills and high-level nursing abilities that can translate into improved patient outcomes. A more advanced degree can also lead to opportunities for greater responsibility and higher salary ranges.
Step 4: Get Certified
Many certifications are available for nurses who are interested in managerial roles. Certification isn’t always required, but it can help earn a more competitive nursing manager salary. Common certifications to pursue include the following:
- Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)
- Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)
Nursing Manager Salary and Job Outlook
The median annual salary for nursing managers was approximately $96,070 as of August 2024, according to Payscale. Various factors can affect salary ranges, including years of experience and level of certification.
Positions for medical service managers, including nursing managers, are projected to grow by 29% between 2023 and 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This rate is significantly faster than the average for all professions.
Make an Impact in Nursing Management
Nurses can have a significant impact on patient outcomes through direct care, but they can also make a huge difference in managerial and leadership positions.
To prepare for a role as a nursing manager, consider furthering your education and developing core leadership skills. The University of Tulsa’s online RN to BSN program can provide the tools working nurses need to advance their training and prepare for positions of greater authority. The program offers considerable flexibility, perfect for nurses already working to provide daily patient care. A BSN is also a gateway to an advanced degree, which employers often require for nurse leadership positions.
Find out how TU can help you take control of your nursing career.
Recommended Readings
Wellness Nurse: Career Definition and More
Financial Aid for Nursing Students: An Overview
Sources:
American Nurses Association, Charge Nurse vs. Nurse Manager: What’s the Difference?
Indeed, Nurse Manager: What They Do, Skills and Job Requirements
Payscale, Average Nursing Manager Salary
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers
