Director of Nursing (DON)

Full job description Supervising all nursing staff Overseeing department budgets Reporting to higher management in the healthcare facilities Maintaining high standards of care for all patients Managing patients' data and medical records as confidential records Communicating with doctors, patients and family members about patient health Recruiting, training and onboarding new nursing staff Providing ongoing education classes Implementing new procedures and training Nurses on policies Directors of Nursing need a variety of hard skills, soft skills and qualifications, such as: Excellent multitasking and organization skills Ability to lead and instruct others Interpersonal skills Verbal and written communication Up-to-date knowledge of nursing practices, methods and tools Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills Ability to work in a fast-paced environment Ability to manage a large budget Director of Nursing education and training requirements Directors of Nursing must be Registered Nurses . They should have at least an associate degree, though many employers prefer a bachelor's degree. They also need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN), and maintain a current nursing license. Often, a Master of Science in Nursing or Healthcare Administration might be necessary. A Director of Nursing gains years of training throughout their career as a Registered Nurse. Director of Nursing experience requirements Candidates for a Director of Nursing position should have full-time, consistent experience as a Registered Nurse for several years. A minimum of four years or more of consistent full-time nursing experience is useful for a Director of Nursing job. Some healthcare facilities, such as hospitals or nursing homes, require several years of supervisory experience before they consider a Director of Nursing candidate. A master's degree can serve as a substitute for some experience. Healthcare requirements also may vary from state to state for being a Director of Nursing