How to become a director of nursing
Written by聽Morganne Skinner
This article was reviewed by Raelene Brooks, Dean, College of Nursing.
If you are an RN with great communication, leadership, conflict management, collaborative and decision-making skills, you may want to consider a career as a director of nursing (DON). These professionals are responsible for the administration of nursing services, make pivotal administrative nursing decisions in a facility, advocate for patients and nurses, and may help shape organizational culture.聽
Job responsibilities of a DON
You may hear a director of nursing referred to as a 鈥淒ON鈥, nursing director, clinical director or director of clinical services. It refers to a registered nurse (RN) who has obtained a significant position in nursing management, though different facilities may use different titles. Nursing directors are responsible for the daily nursing operations of a hospital, clinic or other healthcare facility.
Their responsibilities vary by workplace but typically include:
- Creating and updating policies and standards-of-care guidelines
- Overseeing nursing staff hiring and training
- Ensuring quality patient care
- Managing nursing budgets for each unit
- Collaborating with other leaders of the healthcare team (e.g., CEOs, CFOs, supervisors)
- Ensuring the facility follows state and federal regulatory requirements, compliance with nursing standards and reimbursement guidelines
As a nurse, you may already have had experience working with a DON. In most hospitals, they check in on the units to ensure everything is running smoothly and may serve as a liaison between nurses and other healthcare professionals. For example, if the intensive care unit is full and needs to transfer a patient to the floor, the director of nursing helps to triage and move patients according to the level of care needed.
Directors of nursing are primarily in an administrative position and do not provide hands-on nursing care. Instead, they use their management skills, prior nursing experience and prior clinical nursing experience to make decisions for the nursing department.聽
Qualities and skills required for a nursing director
As a professional in a prominent leadership role, it鈥檚 essential to have strong communication and management skills. Here are some qualities you can hone on your path to becoming a director of nursing:
- Effective interpersonal skills: Managing teams of people requires strong soft skills. Teamwork, patience, empathy, active listening, adaptability and problem-solving are essential for nursing directors.聽
- Knowledge and compliance of healthcare regulations and policies: The DON must oversee existing facility and nursing policies and create new ones to ensure adherence to current standards of care and regulations. This also helps them make budgetary and administrative decisions with patient care in mind.
- Leadership and decision-making: Nursing directors must often make decisions in challenging situations. They need to anticipate potential complications, guide their team and consider the perspectives of everyone in order to make well-informed decisions.
- Organization: DONs need to supervise many healthcare teams and clinical tasks and manage administrative duties. They also need to manage staff schedules, department budgets and clinical resources.
- Emotional intelligence: Nursing directors often need to communicate with patients, their family members, nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals. Remaining calm is crucial for resolving conflict objectively and fostering trust.
Arguably one of the most important characteristics for a nursing director to have is an in-depth understanding of nursing practice and interprofessional collaborations. The DON role demands more than just business and leadership skills. It requires the ability to balance complex patient care needs with budgetary constraints to make decisions that are safe and effective for the nursing unit and the patients, and that comply with healthcare regulations and are sustainable.
Becoming a director of nursing
Your first step in becoming a director of nursing is to get an education in nursing and your license as a registered nurse. There are two main degrees you can pursue: an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Both will prepare you to take the NCLEX, which is the national examination everyone must successfully complete ahead of applying for an RN license. Note that a BSN is typically required for the director of nursing role.
2. Gain clinical nursing experience
Once you鈥檝e become an RN, you鈥檒l want to start gaining nursing experience. In general, all nursing experience is valuable, but if you鈥檝e identified the kind of facility for which you want to become a director of nursing, then you may want to consider first working at that type of facility as a nurse. This can provide you with invaluable experience and insights. For example, if you think you want to become the nursing director in a nursing home, you can start working there as an RN to gain clinical experience. Or, if you want to be a nursing director in a large hospital, you could start working as a bedside nurse to gain that type of experience.
If you have the opportunity, work as a charge nurse. This can help you build foundational and essential leadership skills, gain experience navigating conflict between nurses and management, and give you insight into unit operations, like the nursing budget. You can also work as a nursing manager or supervisor before becoming a director of nursing.
3.聽聽聽聽 Consider an advanced nursing degree
While not required in all facilities or for all director of nursing positions, a master鈥檚 degree in nursing can provide additional skills in nursing leadership, advanced clinical practice, nursing management or administration.
If you obtained an ADN, there are accelerated programs that allow you to enroll in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program as an RN.
There are many MSN specializations and concentrations to choose from as well. Consider those that emphasize nursing leadership, nursing management or administration, as these will be the most relevant to your career as a director of nursing.聽
4. Consider a nursing professional certification
While additional nursing professional certification is not required to become a DON, you may want to consider it. Having a professional certification in your nursing specialty, whether that be medical-surgical nursing, ambulatory care nursing, nurse executive or a variety of others, showcases your expertise and dedication to excellence and quality care.聽
Time frame to become a DON
Overall, it can take several years to become a director of nursing. First, it takes a minimum of two to four years to become an RN and earn your BSN. Then, you need at least two years of nursing experience.
If you鈥檙e looking to obtain a master鈥檚 program, this will take an additional two years, and a doctorate will take three to five years to complete. Once you add it up, you have a range of 8 to 10 or more years if you plan to pursue an advanced nursing degree.
Resources and organizations for aspiring nursing directors
There are many professional associations you could join as you strive to become a nursing director. Some great options include the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), International Clinical Nurse Leaders Association (CNLA) and the American Nurses Association (ANA). Many of these organizations host seminars for training opportunities and networking with other nursing leaders.
If you want more support along your director of nursing journey, consider joining a nursing leader mentorship program. The AONL offers the Leader2Leader mentoring program, designed specifically for nursing leaders to connect with other leaders. Mentorship can help you develop as a leader, grow your career, provide guidance and advice, and offer support.
Take the first step on your director of nursing journey
Now that you鈥檝e learned more about becoming a director of nursing, you may be ready to start advancing your education. Explore the flexible online nursing programs at 爱污传媒, including:
- RN to BSN program: Already have your RN license? Earn your BSN in just 14 months (if you transfer 87 credits from your ADN). In this program, you鈥檒l learn how to develop leadership, communication and critical thinking skills.
- Master of Science in Nursing: Explore concentrations such as nurse administration and more.聽
- Doctor of Nursing Practice: This program offers nurses a pathway to earning their terminal degree in nursing while also honing career-relevant skills.
Learn more about additional online nursing programs at UOPX.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Morganne Skinner, BSN, RN, is a fertility educator and writer. She began nursing in the surgical-trauma intensive care unit and earned a critical care nursing certification. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Liberty University in Virginia. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Zambia for two years, fueling her passion for women鈥檚 and public health. After returning to the U.S., she worked in rehabilitation, public health, and fertility. Morganne excels in health education through her writing and fertility work, contributing to fertility and textbook companies and nursing websites, and creating practice questions for the NCLEX.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Dr. Raelene Brooks, dean of the College of Nursing, has been a registered nurse for more than 25 years and practiced extensively in the areas of ICU, trauma and critical care. Her publications include a focus on nursing education, critical care and diversity, equity and inclusion. She is a leader in creating, guiding and launching innovative curriculum.
This article has been vetted by 爱污传媒's editorial advisory committee.聽
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