Nursing administrators are responsible for maintaining and improving the nursing department of various healthcare facilities, including hospitals and clinics. As administrators, they oversee and support nurses working in those environments.
According to Indeed, nursing administrators “rarely interact with patients and instead ensure that the nurses they manage provide quality care while following standards and regulations.” In addition, they “manage day-to-day operations in healthcare facilities and contribute to their long-term improvement by continuously revising systems and procedures.”
Those interested in completing a nursing administration program should consider the responsibilities of nurses in administrative roles.
Daily Duties of Nursing Administrators
Nursing administrators have many duties throughout their healthcare facility. They hold responsibilities in all aspects of the organization. Administrators must ensure all employees are qualified and capable of performing their tasks and duties.
Indeed goes on to explain that “nurse administrators’ responsibilities fall into two broad categories: personnel management and department administration.”
Personnel management consists of managing staff. This entails administrators listening to their employees’ concerns and making changes that benefit all nurses. They are also responsible for training staff and allocating resources for communitywide use. Without this aspect of nursing administration, healthcare facilities would be unable to function properly. It takes a high-performing team to ensure the day-to-day operations run smoothly.
Department administration is related to the financial, quality and safety aspects of the entire facility. For example, administrators create budgets and financial reports for the organization to guarantee all finances are handled correctly. They also strive to create a safe environment for patients and employees alike. This is achieved by ensuring patient records are input accurately and stay confidential. Moreover, nurse administrators in this role implement procedures to guarantee all rooms are clean and disinfected — something that became of immense concern during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Most often, the nurse administrator conducts their duties in an office setting supporting nurses and other medical employees through a clerical position” and reports productivity levels to the hospital’s CEO, states Indeed.
The “Art” of Nursing Administration
To succeed in their daily work, the best nursing administrators must be skilled in communication, organization, interpersonal behavior, computers and technology, finances and management.
When administrators are not in their office, they can usually be found walking around the facility and engaging with other nurses. They often have a flexible schedule compared to most healthcare professionals. Due to this, they generally have set hours each week. Therefore, a nurse administrator’s job is not as unpredictable as the job of a patient nurse.
On top of managing the nurses and staff already working at the organization, nursing administrators also need to interview and hire other professionals for open positions. AHRQ states they spend a lot of time “hiring, training, and developing employees; thus, nurse managers require strong coaching skills.” They also speak with nurses to ensure they will be a good fit for the company. These responsibilities require top-level people skills.
Administrators also engage in multiple conversations daily, meaning they must be comfortable talking to others and asking questions that benefit the organization. They should not be afraid to speak up and be confident leading a team of experienced nurses.
Prepare for Real-Life Responsibilities With a Master’s Degree
One way to prepare for real-life work responsibilities as a nursing administrator is to further your career and earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Those who enroll in the online MSN – Nursing Administration program at William Paterson University will prepare to accelerate their careers as practical nurse leaders in various healthcare settings.
Nursing students will develop their in-demand skills in organizational leadership to advocate for all patients and families within diverse communities. With the program’s accelerated nature, they will achieve this in as few as 10 months.
The coursework in the program allows students to apply current health information and technologies to advance the quality and accessibility of care for all. For example, the Principles of Nursing Administration course covers the basics of leadership and management theory to examine issues within a multidisciplinary healthcare environment. In the Foundations of Management course, students delve into contemporary issues and the complex history of management to ultimately better serve the next generation of nurses.
Each future nursing administrator will obtain the knowledge required to enter influential roles in the healthcare field, such as chief nursing officer, chief administration officer, nurse manager or charge nurse.
Learn more about William Paterson University’s online MSN – Nursing Administration program.
