What Is a Chief Nursing Officer? 
August 2020

What Is a Chief Nursing Officer or CNO? 

What Is a Chief Nursing Officer? 

Chief Nurse Officer Job Description

A chief nurse officer’s job description can include managing a nursing department’s staff, finances, policies, and patient care. A chief nursing officer serves a vital purpose in the medical field. Whether a person isn’t sure what this role entails or is interested in learning more about the position, this guide can help an individual decide if he or she would like to strive for this profession.


What Is a Chief Nursing Officer?

A chief nursing officer is a person who’s in charge of nursing activities. The chief nursing officer may be responsible for a group of departments. In some cases, when a person answers what is a chief nursing officer, the answer means that the person is responsible for the complete service life.

Besides understanding what is a CNO in nursing, a person should also understand what is a CNO in a hospital. This person usually is in charge of a department of nurses and will oversee how they perform their tasks. Additionally, when a person answers what is a CNO in nursing or what is a CNO of a hospital, a person should understand that a CNO ensures that patient care is up to standards and that the department runs smoothly.


What Does a Chief Nursing Officer Do?

Generally, when an individual asks what a chief nursing officer does, he or she should first know that the chief nursing officer usually works in a hospital. On the other hand, a chief nursing officer may work in a multiple-facility complex or a nursing home. Secondly, a person should know that a chief nursing officer’s job description includes holding the staff accountable for clinical and patient-care standards. Finally. a chief nursing officer also makes sure that patients are safe in the hospital and that patients receive the care they need.

The chief nursing officer’s job description also includes working with other hospital management to develop the proper protocols. A chief nurse’s job also includes making sure the facility has the proper resources. Part of what a chief nursing officer does or what a CNO does includes improving current strategies, so the facility runs smoother. Basically, when a person answers what a CNO do, they should know that the chief officer needs to have a grasp on staff rules, state regulations, patient policies, and nursing procedures.


How Do You Become a Chief Nursing Officer?

If what a CNO do sounds appealing to a person, he or she may want to know how to become a chief nursing officer. It takes time to become a chief nursing officer. In addition, nurses need experience and a proven history of being a hard-worker and a leader.

In addition, a person should understand that an educational background in healthcare is necessary to take on this position since a person needs a firm grasp of what a nurse does. Therefore, it’s important for a person to know the chief nursing officer’s education requirements. First and foremost, the chief nursing officer’s education requirements deem it necessary for a person to either complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Then they need to qualify for a registered nursing license (RN) by completing and passing the National Council of Licensure’s RN exam, also known as the NCLEX-RN. In many cases, a person will want to earn a master’s degree in nursing, healthcare administration, or another field. He or she will then need to practice as a nurse for a few years before having enough experience to earn a position.


What Is the Average Chief Nurse Officer’s Salary?

Now you know how to become a chief nursing officer, you may be curious about the chief nurse officer’s salary. Truthfully, the chief nurse officer’s salary varies based on the type of facility. Where the person lives, the facility itself, and experience in the field influence the rate of pay. Generally, average chief nursing officer salaries are around $128,497.

How much does a CNO make? The chief nursing office salaries in some states are higher though. For instance, the average chief nursing officer’s salary in New Hampshire is $144,072. However, some New Hampshire CNOs earn over $200,000 per year. In New York, the average chief nursing officer’s salary is $149,447. On the other hand, in North Carolina, the average chief nursing officer’s salary is $109,605. Overall though, it’s safe to say that how does a chief nurse make over $100,000? Moreover, the answer to how much a chief nursing officer makes will increase over time with experience. In Florida, the statewide average for this position is $115,105. Fortunately, in any state, the average chief nursing officer’s salary is over $50 per hour.


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