Nursing leadership includes managerial and leadership positions, from nurse managers on the critical care floor to clinic leaders to hospital executives. Nurse leaders do more than lead teams of nurses, they help to create safe environments, support nursing teams, facilitate teamwork and contribute to higher quality patient care.
With nurses working face-to-face with patients and meeting the growing care needs of today, a strong nursing workforce is essential to continued top-quality care into the future. One way for organizations to attract nurses and better care for patients is to have a strong and effective nursing leadership team. Skilled leaders and managers can positively impact nurse job satisfaction and patient outcomes.
Earning an advanced degree like the one offered through Marquette University’s Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program can give you flexibility in your career and provide a good foundation for future nursing leadership roles. Let’s examine the impact that nursing leadership and management can have.
What is Nursing Leadership and Why It Matters
Leadership in nursing includes a range of managerial and leadership positions, from nurse managers on the critical care floor to clinic leaders and hospital executives. Nurse leaders do more than lead teams of nurses. They help to create safe environments, support nursing teams, facilitate teamwork and ultimately contribute to a higher quality of patient care.
Studies have shown that strong nursing leadership can increase patient and nurse satisfaction, reduce errors and mortality rates in hospitals, and improve incident reporting.
Research by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) indicated that leaders who prioritize well-being, work-life balance and engagement with staff led to improved job satisfaction. Patient satisfaction increased as much as 20% in hospitals with effective nurse managers, according to the Journal of Nursing Management.
Meanwhile, a Western Journal of Nursing Research article says facilities led by high-performing nurse leaders see fewer readmissions and reduced mortality rates up to 15%.
Core Leadership Concepts in Nursing
The AONL lists core competencies for any nurse leader. These leadership skills in nursing include professionalism, communication and relationship management, knowledge of the health care environment, business skills and leadership qualities.
Strong leaders have good communication skills and can be persuasive when the need arises. They can clearly explain expectations or changes in procedures that will improve patient care and convince others to follow. They are collaborative, working with cross-functional teams to achieve goals. They bring out the best in their team members and challenge them to improve.
Personal qualities can include confidence, self-awareness, integrity and drive. They lead by example, are strategic and empower others.
Nursing Management vs. Leadership: Key Differences and Overlaps
While nurse managers might also embody leadership qualities, nursing leaders do not have to hold a management position. Both play important roles in health care but vary in terms of focus, decision-making, interactions with staff and other aspects.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) defines a nurse manager as someone who is both a nurse and an executive. They typically perform administrative and operational functions, such as budgeting or enforcing department policies. Management leadership in nursing also includes overseeing the day-to-day management of nursing staff, scheduling and allocating resources.
A nurse leader, meanwhile, might set a vision for a team or organization, work on strategy or provide mentorship. “A nurse leader is defined by their actions and not always by a position of authority. Leaders in nursing inspire and influence others to achieve their maximum potential,” the American Nurses Association (ANA) says.
Both managers and leaders adhere to the highest standards found in the ANA’s Code of Ethics for Nurses.
Those in nursing leadership and management tend to exhibit such qualities as:
- Communication ability
- Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
- Dedication
- Emotional intelligence and empathy
- Integrity
- Relationship-building savvy
While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t list employment information for specific job titles, the demand for medical and health services managers is expected to jump 29% by 2033. Their median annual income is $110,680 per year.
Roles and Responsibilities in Nursing Leadership and Management
Nurse managers and leaders can fill a variety of roles within a health care organization, which depend on the environment, whether it is a large hospital system or small clinic. While some titles might be used more often in leadership vs management, responsibilities and duties can be similar.
See how you can serve as a patient advocate as a nurse or nursing leader.
Nursing Leadership Roles
Nursing leadership roles often refer to positions at the director or executive level. They tend to have a broader focus and set strategy for a department or organization. Common titles include:
- Chief nursing officer (CNO)
- Clinical nurse leader
- Nurse consultant
- Nurse educator
- Nurse leader
- Nursing director
- Quality improvement nurse leader
Nursing Management Roles
Nursing management roles typically oversee staffing and operations within a particular unit or department. They oversee day-to-day duties and focus on enforcing best practices and policies more than designing them.
Manager-level nurse positions can include:
- Charge nurse
- Clinical nurse manager
- Director of nursing services
- Health services manager
- Nurse manager
- Unit manager
Educational Requirements for Nursing Leadership and Management
The level of education a nurse needs to obtain to reach the next step in their career can vary depending on what type of role they are seeking. Degrees can range from a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to a doctorate.
In addition to an advanced degree, you can consider earning one of a myriad of certifications to develop leadership skills in nursing.
Direct-Entry MSN Programs
If you hold a non-nursing degree and are contemplating a career change, consider earning an MSN degree through a program like Marquette University’s Direct Entry MSN.
Our second-degree Direct Entry MSN program delivers a nursing curriculum that provides the academic foundation and clinical skills required to sit for the NCLEX licensure exam through a blend of advanced nursing coursework, hands-on labs and clinical experience. The program may be completed in five or eight semesters.
After graduating with an MSN degree and passing the NCLEX, you will have a strong foundation to enter the nursing field and advance your career.
Certifications and Advanced Degrees
There are a number of advanced degrees and certifications you can obtain. Which you should choose depends on your career goals and in which areas you wish to practice.
Health care organizations hiring nurse managers might prefer candidates with an MSN, a master’s in nursing administration, or an MBA in health care management.
Nurses more interested in higher-level strategic roles might focus on leadership training or advanced nursing practice study. They might earn a doctorate of philosophy (PhD) or a doctorate of nursing practice (DNP). An MSN is normally required before earning those advanced degrees, and can be a valuable entry into these educational pathways.
Instead of obtaining an advanced degree, there are many specialty certifications you might want to pursue.
Some leadership and management-specific certifications through various associations or organizations include:
- Certified Nurse Manager and Leader, American Organization for Nursing Leadership
- Health Services Administrator in correctional facilities, American Correctional Association
- Nurse Executive or Nursing Case Management, American Nurses Credentialing Center
- Occupational Health Nursing Case Management, American Board for Occupational Health Nurses
A MSN degree can help on the path to a nursing leadership career. See what you can do with a master’s in nursing.
Continuing Education and Leadership Training
It’s important that nurses stay current on health care issues, patient care practices and technology tools. Many nursing organizations offer seminars, conferences and publications where nurses can keep abreast of all that is happening within their field. Major organizations include:
- American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)
- American Nurses Association (ANA)
- Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma)
Advance Your Career with Marquette
If you desire to advance your career, Marquette’s Direct Entry MSN program in Pleasant Prairie and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, could be right for you. Contact us today to speak with an admissions adviser and find out more about how you can graduate as an MSN-prepared nurse in five or eight semesters.