A nurse administrator manages the nursing staff at a healthcare facility. Nurse
administrators are licensed and have advanced degrees and field experience. A robust healthcare system needs empathetic and considerate nurses. This applies to nurse administrators as well. While RNs and nurse practitioners are responsible for the primary care of patients, a nurse administrator oversees the work of other nurses. A nurse administrator has a broad and versatile range of responsibilities. Traditionally, the main component of their job is to supervise the nursing staff at their healthcare facility, including clinics, medical facilities, and other institutions. Many nurse administrators begin their careers as registered nurses to gain a thorough understanding of the day-to-day tasks and challenges of the nursing profession. As they grow more experienced, they may pursue a graduate degree and transition to the role of administrator, focusing on strategic management of personnel, patient care, and resources, while also upholding and supporting regulatory policies. The role of a nurse administrator is often flexible and generally operates in two major areas. First, nurse administrators oversee the operations and functioning of staff, deal with personnel issues, and address any concerns the team has. Second, they are also a part of the administrative team of their organization, where they focus on areas of finance, human resources, and protocol compliance.
Nurse Administrator Responsibilities
Depending on their specialty, the day-to-day tasks of a nurse administrator can vary. Generally, responsibilities involve overseeing nursing staff, motivating them to do their job well, and supervising assistant administrators. Other duties include managing finances, creating budgets, keeping a record of the facility services and resources, meeting regulatory requirements of the institution they serve, and ensuring that all tasks are completed efficiently and in a cost-effective manner. Nurse administrators are also responsible for implementing the necessary nursing procedures in a healthcare facility. Their administrative duties include attending meetings, conducting performance reviews, and developing personnel procedures. Their role is managerial and office-based. Nurse administrators must also ensure that their department complies with the law at all times. While they continually promote staff development, they also must intervene in case a conflict arises and conduct employee counseling, when necessary. The best nurse administrators are passionate about their job and ensure the best care for the staff in their facility. They do not merely supervise the nursing staff; they also ensure that their employees develop professionally and personally. They are responsible for recruiting new nursing staff, counseling employees, an terminating employment when needed. They act as role models and mentors for nurses and ensure that everyone on their staff has the appropriate licenses, credentials, and certifications.