Nurse Manager: Responsibilities, Skills & Career Path

A nurse manager, formerly called a head nurse, is responsible for the clinical and administrative functions of a particular nursing unit, such as a pediatric floor or an intensive care unit (ICU).

Responsibilities

• The nurse manager is responsible for the quality, cost-effectiveness and safety of patient care on his unit. In order to do this, he needs to recruit professional nurses, engage them in decision-making about their daily practice and monitor patient outcomes.

Functions

• The primary function of a nurse manager is to ensure optimal patient outcomes on her unit. A good nurse manager wears many hats as an expert clinician, a mentor and support for her staff and a tireless advocate for patients and families.

Skills

• A seasoned nurse manager has a strong foundation in clinical practice, excellent people skills, commendable negotiating abilities, sound fiscal strategies and a great sense of humor.

Hierarchy

• A nurse manager is considered part of middle management because he supervises direct care providers and reports to a nursing administrator.

A Voice

• Whenever organizational decisions are being made that impact her nursing unit, the nurse manager is at the table to represent the best interests of her staff and patients.