nursing education
Nursing management is performing leadership functions of governance and decision-making within organizations employing nurses. It includes processes common to all management like planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling. It is common for RNs to seek additional education to earn a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice to prepare for leadership roles within nursing. Management positions increasingly require candidates to hold an advanced degree in nursing.
Roles[edit]
Matron[edit]
A matron is the senior nurse who serves as "the head of the general staff of the hospital" and is obeyed by his/her subordinate nurses.[1] Traditionally, matrons wear a dark-blue dress, usually darker than her subordinates, also known as sisters, in addition to a white-starched hat.[2] As such, matrons usually "provide strong leadership and act as a link between Board-level nurses and clinical practice."[3] In military hospitals of the United States, matrons were "charged with the responsibility of making twice daily rounds to supervise the [common] nurses' duty performance."[4]
Director of Nursing[edit]
For information about the DON position at a long term care facility, see Director of nursing (long term care facility).
A director of nursing (DON) is a registered nurse who supervises the care of all the patients at a health care facility. The director of nursing is the senior nursing management position in an organization and often holds executive titles like Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Chief Nurse Executive, or Vice-President of Nursing. They typically report to the CEO or COO.
The American Organization of Nurse Executives is a professional association for directors of nursing.
Service directors[edit]
Many large healthcare organizations also have service directors. These directors have oversight of a particular service within the facility or system (surgical services, women's services, emergency services, critical care services, etc.).
Roles[edit]
Matron[edit]
A matron is the senior nurse who serves as "the head of the general staff of the hospital" and is obeyed by his/her subordinate nurses.[1] Traditionally, matrons wear a dark-blue dress, usually darker than her subordinates, also known as sisters, in addition to a white-starched hat.[2] As such, matrons usually "provide strong leadership and act as a link between Board-level nurses and clinical practice."[3] In military hospitals of the United States, matrons were "charged with the responsibility of making twice daily rounds to supervise the [common] nurses' duty performance."[4]
Director of Nursing[edit]
For information about the DON position at a long term care facility, see Director of nursing (long term care facility).
A director of nursing (DON) is a registered nurse who supervises the care of all the patients at a health care facility. The director of nursing is the senior nursing management position in an organization and often holds executive titles like Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Chief Nurse Executive, or Vice-President of Nursing. They typically report to the CEO or COO.
The American Organization of Nurse Executives is a professional association for directors of nursing.
Service directors[edit]
Many large healthcare organizations also have service directors. These directors have oversight of a particular service within the facility or system (surgical services, women's services, emergency services, critical care services, etc.).