A chief nursing officer job description may vary from one healthcare organization to the next. In general, however, CNOs can expect to handle the administrative side of patient care delivery. They wear many hats, performing tasks related to human resources, budgeting, regulatory compliance, patient services development and more.
Some of the specific tasks that a CNO can expect to perform on a regular basis include the following:
- Developing and implementing procedures, policies, best practices and standards of care
- Developing and monitoring departmental budgets
- Overseeing the healthcare organization to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, and staying on top of the latest regulatory changes in the healthcare industry
- Guiding the organization through the processes of acquiring and maintaining accreditation
- Recruiting, training and overseeing nurses and ancillary staff members
- Identifying opportunities for staff development and continuing education
- Overseeing the daily operations of the healthcare organization
- Overseeing safe staff-to-patient ratio at all times
- Collaborating with department heads, other administrators and providers
- Identifying and implementing new technologies that promote better patient care, more efficient operations and a safer environment
Beyond these daily tasks in a typical chief nursing officer job description, the CNO seeks to lead by example and inspire their staff. CNOs are visionaries who understand the need for continuous improvement so that their healthcare organization can always serve its community to the best of its capacity.