Qualifications of manager duties

Nurse unit managers must be licensed as registered nurses and have at least a bachelor of science in nursing.
They also need business or management training, taken as elective courses, a minor or a second major. Some
facilities prefer nurses to have graduate degrees, such as a master of science in nursing, a master of health care
administration or business administration. Some schools offer short-term nurse management programs, such as
a seven-week nursing management certificate program offered by Penn State University. Nurses can also pursue
certification such as the Certified Nurse Manager and Leader designation offered by the American Organization
of Nursing Executives. Nurse unit managers usually have prior management experience as a charge nurse or
assistant manager.

Supervisory Duties

Nurse unit managers handle all supervisory duties for the unit, overseeing registered and licensed practical
nurses, nursing aides, medical clerks and support staff. They set work schedules, delegate assignments, assign
tasks and evaluate employee job performance, as well as disciplining employees who don't fulfill their job
requirements or provide inadequate patient care. They also establish employee policies and procedures. Nurse
unit managers often mentor less experienced nurses, offering clinical and career advice. They set goals and
standards for the unit, and may hold regular staff meetings in which they give directions or discuss areas for
improvement.

Clinical Duties

Nurse unit managers establish standards of nursing care for the unit, applying evidence-based standards and
health care research. They monitor patient care to ensure it meets the facility's standards, and review patient
records to analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of the care provided by the unit. If a nurse has a question or
concern about a patient's care, the unit manager may consult the patient's physician or recommend treatment
options. Unit managers not only monitor overall care, they may review an individual patient's case, especially if
it's complicated or if the patient is not responding to treatment. They also address questions or complaints
brought forward by patients or their families.

Administrative Duties

Nurse unit managers create and oversee budgets for the unit, including personnel, supplies and other expenses.
They ensure the department is well-stocked with medical supplies, including medications and equipment. At
some facilities they interview and hire employees, in addition to creating training and staff development
programs. They represent the unit's interests, consulting with senior management if the staff has questions or
concerns, recommending changes and improvements, and offering the unit's opinion regarding proposed
changes or decisions under consideration by the facility's leadership staff.

urse Manager Job Duties:

Identifies patient service requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and
actual patients and other persons in a position to understand service requirements.
Maintains nursing guidelines by writing and updating policies and procedures.
Maintains nursing operations by initiating, coordinating, and enforcing program, operational,
and personnel policies and procedures.
Assures quality of care by developing and interpreting hospital and nursing division's
philosophies and standards of care; enforcing adherence to state board of nursing and
 state nurse practice act requirements and to other governing agency regulations;
measuring health outcomes against standards; making or recommending adjustments.
Maintains nursing staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training nurses and auxiliary
staff.
Completes patient care requirements by scheduling and assigning nursing and staff;
following up on work results.
Maintains nursing staff job results by coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees;
planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.
Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and
spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.
Promotes patient's independence by establishing patient care goals; teaching and
counseling patient, friends, and family and reinforcing their understanding of disease,
medications, and self-care skills.
Provides information to patients and health care team by answering questions and
requests.
Resolves patient needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies.
Maintains safe and clean working environment by designing and implementing procedures,
rules, and regulations; calling for assistance from other health care professionals.
Protects patients and employees by developing and interpreting infection-control policies
and protocols; enforcing medication administration, storage procedures, and controlled
substance regulations.
Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by monitoring confidential information
processing.
Maintains documentation of patient care services by auditing patient and department
records.
Achieves financial objectives by preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures;
analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions.
Ensures operation of medical and administrative equipment by verifying emergency
equipment availability; completing preventive maintenance requirements; following
manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining
equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques..
Maintains nursing supplies inventory by studying usage reports; identifying trends;
anticipating needed supplies; approving requisitions and cost allocations.
Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops;
reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in
professional societies.
Maintains a cooperative relationship among health care teams by communicating
information; responding to requests; building rapport; participating in team problem-solving
methods.
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed

Nurse Manager Skills and Qualifications:

Judgment, Supervision, Informing Others, Nursing Skills, Creating a Safe, Effective
Environment, Hospital Environment, Medical Teamwork, Listening, Pain Management,
Administering Medication, Adult Health

The nurse manager is the nurse with management responsibilities of a nursing unit. They typically
report to a service director. They have primary responsibilities for staffing, budgeting, and day-to-day
operations of the unit.