Instead of providing direct patient care like a registered nurse (RN) or nurse practitioner (NP) would, a certified nurse executive may be in charge of leading the vision and management of a nursing organization.
A certified nurse executive may work in hospitals, in nursing homes, for health care organizations or for home health agencies. In health care organizations, certified nurse executives may take on the following roles:
- Provide continuing education opportunities
- Manage and direct finances
- Promote teamwork and creativity among a nursing team
- Encourage staff to professionally develop and become members of national nursing organizations
- Develop relationships in the health care industry
In addition to being experts in nursing, successful certified nurse executives should possess strong leadership, business, communication and interpersonal skills. If being a leader in nursing sounds appealing to you, use this guide for tips on how to develop your career.
Steps to Become a Certified Nurse Executive (NE)
How do you become a certified nurse executive? The path typically requires education, experience and certification. Though everyone’s path is different, below are some common steps to become a certified nurse executive.
1. Complete an Accredited Nursing Education Program
2. Obtain Required Additional Education and Experience
Most nurse executive certifications require education related to nurse leadership or nurse administration. Both the NEA-BC and the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) from the ANCC require 30 hours of continuing education in nursing administration and some experience in the field. This specialized education may prepare you to lead nursing teams in a variety of environments.
3. Apply for Certification
A professional nursing certification may benefit you in your nurse executive job search and may be required for many nurse executive positions. Professional credentials like the NEA-BC and NE-BC are available to indicate that you’ve met ANCC’s requirements for certification.
Pathways to Becoming a Nurse Executive
Regarding education, there are different ways to become a nurse executive, based on where you are in your career and the education you’ve obtained. Consider the pathways below.
- Master’s in Business Administration (MBA): Certifications like the NEA-BC can be obtained with a non-nursing master’s degree. If you already have your BSN, you might consider an MBA with a focus on health care. Or, you can complete a dual degree MBA with a master’s in nursing, so you learn both advanced nursing and advanced business and leadership principles.
- Master’s in Nursing (MSN): A master’s in nursing prepares you to obtain an advanced nursing certification in a nursing specialty, which may help you move up in a nursing career and obtain leadership roles. You typically need a BSN or a bachelor’s degree in another subject, along with prerequisite coursework, to enter an MSN program.
- RN to MSN: For RNs who don’t have a BSN yet, there are RN-to-MSN programs that include nursing material you’d typically learn in a BSN program, as well as advanced nursing topics covered in an MSN program. With an MSN, you can pursue more advanced roles in nursing and/or specialty certifications.
- Post-Grad Certificate: If you’re already an RN with a master’s or higher degree, you can research certification requirements for a certified nurse executive credential. This may include a certain number of work hours in nursing administration and/or passing an exam.
- Doctorate in Nursing: A doctorate in nursing is the highest possible nursing degree. It can prepare students for executive-level positions in patient care and typically includes coursework on subjects like administrative leadership, ethics, evidence-based practice and public policy.
Salary & Career Outlook
How much do nurse executives make? Nurse salary averages and career outlooks for nurse executives vary depending on the location and demand for each specific area. These career projections and salaries are only a reference point; fine-tuning what a nurse executive earns and the job outlook depends on location, experience, education, certification and more.
Nurse executives plan and direct nursing services in a health care organization. Instead of being in rooms with patients, their work typically takes place in offices and boardrooms. Their duties might include:
- Designing and managing patient care
- Creating and maintaining health care and nursing budgets
- Shaping nursing care policy
- Developing wellness networks with other health care organizations
Nurse executives who serve as consultants may analyze a health care organization’s performance and recommend improvements that align with that organization’s health care goals. Nurse executives who work in education may design curriculum formats, hire professors, direct and approve research, and perform other education-focused leadership duties.
Skills
Nurse executives may need to know nursing duties so they understand what the people they manage and/or their clients do. Having leadership skills to inspire those they lead to work toward a shared vision may also be beneficial. Some skills successful nurse executives could benefit from include:
- Analytical skills: To understand and follow regulations and adapt to new laws
- Communication skills: To lead and collaborate with nursing teams and other executives
- Interpersonal skills: To manage conflicts and build relationships that benefit a nursing organization
- Managerial skills: To motivate staff to achieve exceptional results
- Organizational skills: To prioritize the most valuable action items and meet deadlines
Nurse executives may be public-facing; public speaking may be required for presentations about organizational developments. Nurse executives should be comfortable talking to large groups, contributing creative ideas and working with individuals and teams to improve outcomes for organizations.
Nurse Executive Certifications
Nursing certifications may help you stand out to employers. Some certified nurse executive roles may prefer a credential. Below are nurse executive certifications to consider, with the requirements, fees and renewals as of June 2021:
- Hold an active and current RN license in a U.S. state or territory or the legally recognized professional equivalent in another country
- Have at least a BSN degree
- Have taught graduate students nursing administration or served as an executive consultant or in nursing management; or at least a full-time mid-level administrative position for at least two years in the last five years
- Have completed 30 hours of continuing education in nursing administration within the last three years; this requirement is waived if you have a master’s degree in nursing administration
Fees:
- $295 for American Nurses Association members
- $395 for non-members
Renewal: Certifications are renewed every five years. Renewal fees are:
- $250 for American Nurses Association members
- $350 for non-members
Have questions about becoming a nurse executive? Check out the FAQs below.
What is a nurse executive?
A nurse executive is a senior nursing position that leads nursing teams in health care organizations or provides nursing consultation. Nurse executives may also work in education, coordinating postsecondary nursing programs.
What does a nurse executive do?
Nurse executives direct nursing operations in health care organizations, inspire teams of nurses to provide quality care, ensure organizations meet health care regulations, and create executive long-term visions and goals.
Where does a nurse executive work?
Nurse executives work in health care settings like hospitals and nursing homes, leading teams of nurses. They may also work as consultants in a variety of settings, depending on the organizations they’re assisting.
What is the difference between a nurse leader and a nurse executive?
Nurse leaders are more directly involved in patient care, leading teams of nurses as they serve specific populations. Nurse executives may be less involved in direct patient care. They lead entire teams of nurses and represent them on a larger scale.
Information on this page was last updated in June 2021.
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